Do you folks change your backing each year?

[Chigger]

Thanks.

 

Just wondering how long it lasts on the reel with moderate to low use.

 

Thanks

[bob_in_CT]

Never. My oldest salt water reel that I use regularly is over five years old. My trout reels have backing that is over ten years old but they really don't count since I have seen the backing exactly twice while trout fishing.

[Peter Patricelli]

Since I have always, for the past 53 years, used non-degradable dacron....now more recently non-degradble gelspun TUF (80#) the answer is:

 

Less than once per lifetime. But it probably lasts longer than that.

 

If you get wear and abrasion....lucky you....then sure, cut that back. But otherwise, just out and back in the deep blue.....never. But be sure, these days with stronger cored fly lines and heavier leaders than were ever used 20 years ago...you have a backing that is SUBSTANTIALLY stronger than the breaking strength of your leader OR fly line.

 

Peter Patricelli

[Spigola]

One word - NOPE.

[jrmyln]

Everytime I get a new line, I replace the backing while I'm at it.

Every year, I probably replace at least half of my reels and spools with line and backing - that is at least all of my 8wts anyway.

[Jim DE]

I am in with some of the other replies .... Nope. I don't even change fly lines once a year. I replace fly lines as they show signs of needing to be replaced.

[SnookFly]

Ditto - rarely change backing. I re-tie the Bimini loops once or twice a year depending on how much use, how many fish got into the backing.

[formula1]

No but I always redo the rigging on the backing on every reel that sees the backing regularly during the year - actually I redo them on all my primary reels (which see the backing on a regular basis) as well as my back up reels - never know when you're going to hook up with the granddaddy of fish...

[HL]

No.

Herb

[Lurejunky99]

Every 2-3 years for me, just to be safe.

[bob_in_CT]

Add me to the list of people who redo all of the connections every year. Lost a good fish once when the loop on the end of my fly line gave out.

[crashq]

Nope, I change knots at the beginning of the season and (dacron) backing only when it looks worn or damaged.

[Aquacide]

Yep , all knots , leaders , tippets, loops and flies are gone each spring.

 

Why chance dropping a 30lb fish for half an hour of prep and $20 of material.

[Orca]

Nope

[danflytr]

I do about every two years because I store my reels in the house. Now if I stored them in the garage I would have to change my backing twice a year because of extreme heat and a very dry climate.