Saltwater backing

[tailingloop]

For Dacron I use a Bimini twist to make a long loop. I then fold the loop over and tie a two times through surgeons knot (often referred to as a double surgeons). That leaves me with a single line to the Bimini, two strands to the surgeons, then two loops. You want the final double loop big enough to pass a reel through. The two loops are looped to the end of the flyline. If you have trouble with the Bimini you can use a 6 turn surgeons knot to make the first loop with all else the same after that. This connection will be very strong and allow easy line changes. I actually use this connection on every rig I use from 1wt to 14wt.

Alternatively you can just use an Albright knot to connect backing to line. Not quite as secure but good enough for most situations however you need to retie if you change lines

[miller special]

Thanks TL, I've always used the Albright on all my freshwater set ups but for larger saltwater I think I use your suggestion.

[rel]

tailingloop- I used to use a Bimini twist to make my loop in the backing to attach the fly line but after having a bluefish hit the Bimini while I was fighting a false albacore and costing me an entire fly line I now use an 8-10 turn surgeon's knot which presents a smaller target for the bluefish. Just my .02. Ron

[Micropteris]

When blue fish are thick they will hit anything that catches their eye. You would not believe how small of a knot they will hit once their hooked buddy starts to get the knots in your system creating bubble streams as he tries to break off. I've had some expensive days with hardware when they decided they wanted moving knots. Wire didn't matter seeing as they where hitting the knot where the wire met the leader.