how much backing for bones?

[teflon_jones]

how much backing do i really need on my fly reel for bonefish? is 150 yds adequate, or do i need to go larger? it seems like reel choices for large arbor reels start to get a lot more limited once you go above 150 yds of backing.

also, are manufacturer claims for the amount of backing accurate, or do they inflate the amount the reel will REALLY hold?

[Ray]

Depends on where you are fishing. The FLA bones tend to be bigger than the tropical ones. I have 250 on my bonefish spool. I've used nearly all of it a few times. I'd surely rather have too much than not enough!!!

[catspaw]

Put the pressure on the fish and that should be plenty, if you still feel uneasy the alternative is to put gel-spun on, you can probably get another 100yds on the spool, much less expensive than a new reel.

[MatMet]

As it was put to me, bones might take 150 yards, permit, tarpon, cudas will take more. If you are only going to cast at bones, then you should be safe. 200 plus is a safe bet for the few largest bones out there. Everyone you ask will have a different opinion. In the keys the bones get large, they say most other destinations the bones are mostly smaller, but still fiesty.

gelspun is thinner diameter, some say if you are not careful that you can easily slice a hand on the line if you are palming. In general if you are not paying attention you are not going to catch a bone. Be careful and it is a great idea

[Guy]

My take on it is 150 yards is adequate if you apply pressure to the bonefish. Let the bonefish run on freespool or very little drag and you could be spooled Remember also you have another 30 - 35 yards of line and leader. I have been fortunate to have taken bonefish up to 13 lb in the Bahamas and none of those would have run that far. Keys fish do get bigger and for them you want more backing just to be safe!

Guy

[BobG]

Backing is pretty cheap insurance, so better to go on the safe side.
Both my bonefish reels have 250 yards on them. Truthfully, I've never come close to empting it all.

[teflon_jones]

so it sounds like people are split on this one! ;) this isn't helping me make a decision! --125-3

[Vic T]

Lefty Kreh, in his book, says that you don't need more than 150 yards for bonefish. On the other hand, why not put plenty of 35 lb. gel-spun backing on the reel as insurance and as a way to keep your arbor diameter larger?

[Marshrunner]

All my bf reels have 250 -300 yds of 20# dacron backing and I've never been spooled in 2 1/2 decades ... but I ve been close a couple times. If you plan to go south for many years to come, consider investing in the extra capacity.

Dick Brown

[AlderBrookFarm]

My bonefish reels have 250 on them and I wouldn't go with less. Yes you can crank up the drag and get away with less, but crank it too far and you can run the risk of breaking off a fish when it decides to get it's second wind.

[Pherman]

The few permit I've caught, I had my bonefish rod in hand, and that is what I threw. One fish we did have to chase on the motor for quite a while. Point being, I was lucky to be in a boat. I had 150yrds of dacron and since have switched all my reels to gel spun and on the same reels now have over 250yrds. Would opt for more. Like bobg, since I've switched, I've never come close to needing all of it, but I sleep better.