Diawa 27 Backing line

[Spider]

I am going to put new line on my Diawa 27 reels this year for trolling for walleye in Lake Erie and salmon in Lake Michigan. I bought 30# Power pro and was wondering how much mono backing should I use on each reel. I plan on using 17# mono trilene. I have had salmon rip off line out to 350 ft on the counters. Does anyone have a similar type of setup?

[Sluggo / NY]

Spider..I run the 30# PowerPro on my 27's. I know it's a bit pricey, but a 330 yd. spool fills the reel nicely. I put a wrap of surgical tape across the spool first to avoid line slipping. I plan on reeling onto another reel to get more use out of the line, but after two years, it shows no signs of wear or weakness. It does lose it's color, but I don't think that affects it's performance. Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

[Dave in Mpls]

Can't really help with numbers, as I just fill mine with 10# XT. Not too many walleyes that are gonna run out 350' swimming around in Mille Lacs! At any rate, you could put on your Power Pro first, then fill the reel with backing. Go down to the park, spool the line off, and reel it on the other way. While reeling it back on, make a note of how much backing you needed for a particular amount of Power Pro, and next time you can just wind it on.

Regards

[FreeByrd]

Spider,
You must be catching little salmon if they only ran off 350 feet!Seriously though,I learned this lesson the hard way on Lake Ontario two years ago. Had a monster king on that went crazy and had about 700 feet out when it got to my backing knot that got hung up in the reel guide. Sounded like an explosion when it broke. Then DEAD SILENCE as we all looked at each other. Then the cussing started...

Earlier in the week we had a few fish get into the backing at about 550 to 600 feet and the knot held. The one that snapped was screaming the reel. I vowed to never let that happen again.

I bought bulk spools of 50 pound test 12 pound diameter whiplash and put a minimum of 1000 feet on all my reels that will do double duty for Salmon and Eyes. Sure you'll spend a little more doing it, but with all the money I have invested in the boat, equipment, etc. I'll spend the money for the line so it doesn't happen again. By the way we were fishing the LOC Derby on Lake Ontario at the time. Still kicking myself over that one.

I would put a mimimum of 300 years of the Power Pro on.

As some others have suggested, you can fill the first one by putting the Power Pro on first, then attaching the backing and fill the reel. Note the counter readings, then reel the backwards reel onto an empty one. You can then note how much backing you used and just do the others in the normal fashion. This won't be exact since it is in reverse order but it will be close. You want the reels full. Also keep a good amount of tension on the line as you are filling the reel.
Good Luck,
Steve