Thread: Loading a reel with braid with a mono top shot question?

For those reel tech savvy, line capacity, formula thinking fisherman, I have a question? I have found one formula to use for such a problem, but it is not adding up. Problem, and please don't laugh to hard at me. Published capacity 2,235 yds of 200 lb. braid. Wanted a 300 yds top shot of 200 lbs. mono, but it doesn't look good for the braid capacity. Any suggestions? Extreme sharking from the beach is the reason. Extreme distances for baits rowed out, and large sharks is the goal. Thanks for the input, and tight lines to all.

In my experience reel manufacturers tend to OVER exaggerate their reels line capacity,
and braided line manufacturers tend to UNDER exaggerate the line thickness of their products.
End result was that often not as much line would fit on the reel as advertised, or an overfilled spool that led to customer dissatisfaction (then it was "my fault").

Far be it from me to tell you about sharking itself, but the rated reel capacity of braid assumes it is tightly packed at loading. Many of us don't/can't do that at home. To reach out great distance more braid is your friend if the price is bearable.

Load the braid onto your reel, then go to a local park at dusk, tie off to a tree, and then walk away from the tree with the drag loose until you reach the backing. Turn around, tighten the drag, put a good bow in the rod, and slowly reel yourself back to the tree.

Best done under low light conditions to avoid ending up TikTok famous.

I don't think you are going to get a 300 yard top shot of 200 lb mono on any reel and leave space for anything else. That's a ton of heavy mono. Go with less, if any, top shot.

I always take a heavy book and run the braid in between the pages and squeeze it when putting on reels.

Just for those that were curious. Was able to get 1,000 yds. of 200 lb braid, and 200 yds of 200 lb mono on the reel, now if I can just get the right fish to bite.