Penn 320 & Lead Core

How much backing do I need to put 10 colors of LC on a Penn 320

A Penn 330 would work much better.Or any other large capacity reel.I think a 320 would be to small. Good fishing

I think a DM 30 would be a little small but the DM 45 would probably be big enough. They have them on sale for $39.99 right now. They're not a real high quality reel but for $40 it looks like a good deal to me if you don't fish a lot.

Would Cabelas DM 30 be large enough for a full 10 colors?

I don't run any more than 4 colors on my 320's and I use mono for a backer. If you run Power Pro you could get away with 5 or maybe 6 colors but I wouldn't try 10.

I would not put 10 colors on a 320 unless you use the new and expensive micro core. I don't put any more than 5 colors on my 320s with 150yds 30# PP and topped off with 30# mono and have gotten uncomfortably close to getting spooled. Keep in mind if you use the new micro core it has a different dive curve than traditional leadcore. If you run the new stuff with the old leadcore I think it might be a bit confusing regard where your baits are on various setups. Unfortunately reels with larger capacity than 320s and a gear ratio>3.8:1 are pricy such as Shimano Tekotas and Diawa Saltist. Penn 330 or 345s are large capacity with same great drag system as 320 but I think only 3:1, slow but reliable. There may be some more economical reels by Okuma that I will let others comment on. Grey Beard

EYEfrantic has the right solution.I have 4 320's that I run on my downriggers with 2 being SWR's. I'm with ditto as I feel it's not a reel I would use with 10 colors. You need to take gear ratio into your planing also. The higher ratio(4/1 or 5/1)is the best choice.

I just put 250 yds of 30lb power pro and 10 colors on Micro Core on a 320 and it fit just about perfectly.

Reel the line on another identical reel backwards. Start with a 30' mono leader, attach it to the lead core with a Willis knot. Reel the mono leader and lead core on, attach the backing and reel until the reel is full. Then reel the whole works on the reel you want. It's the perfect amount.

IMO the 320 is to small for 10 colors of lead.

Use a reel fill calculator: http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16491

As much as you can fit would be the right answer. You should be able to put at least 150 yards of braid or even several hundred feet of mono on that reel. With reall long lines like a fullcore or a 200 and 300 copper the fish usually dont take out much line when they hit. Might go back 50 feet but thats about it. If you dont know how much the reel will hold I would do this.... put about 500 ( or overshoot a good guestimate) of mono on the empty reel. Then tie in your leadcore and reel the full 10 colors onto it and then your 20 foot leader of mono or flourocarbon. If it fills it up pretty tight your done. If while reeling up the leadcore you run out of room and it doesnt all fit just take it out on the sidewalk, ball field, driveway wherever and have someone hold the leadcore/lure end of the line or tie it to a tree or a stake. Backup until all the leadcore and 50 feet (or whatever amount of mono you need to make room for the core) is exposed. Cut off 50 feet of mono, retie and crank up the leadcore again. Repeat until you get a nice full reel. Its a pretty foolproof way of getting a nice full spool with the max amount of backing, and your drag will work better with a full reel. Write it down somewhere you wont loose it so some day when you need to do it again or buy the same reel again you know what to do.