'Old Line' - - Expected Lifespan

[T-Bone]

I reviewed the many threads on line recently...who uses what and why...etc. Super lines, flouro leaders, etc. For those of you interested in that topic, just do a search for 'fishing line'.

The one thing I didn't read in them (may have missed it) is any estimated time on "how long" line is reasonably good for. I know it wholly depends on how much fishing you do, but a couple of my reels have line on it that is ONLY used the one week we're up on Kipawa. Typically I string with Trilene XT mono at 6-8 pound test.

Is the line I put on those reels last year still "good" to go with this year? Should I change it? It's not really a cost thing, or really a hassle thing, but if I don't need to spend $8.00 / spool of line over three reels that will take and hour and a couple beers to strip and re-spool I won't.

Thoughts are appreciated.

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[Oarin]

Good question, I was thinking about keeping last year's line too.

[Jay Thomas]

Here's some info that addresses your query - see https://bravehunters.com/how-long-does-fishing-line-last/

Jay

[T-Bone]

I read for line that's been on your spool for ~ 1 year, you should soak it in warm soapy water for about an hour to relax the spool memory.

Good info Jay...thanks.

[Jighead]

I head north every other year, and typically restring reels every other trip. Seems to work for me and no issues. I use original Stren in 6lb.

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[chiaro]

Sun does the damage to mono. It depends on use...for mono the line will tell you when it is done. Braided...you just turn it around on the reel when it starts to wear...I probably have braided line that I have used that is over 10 years old.

[limacharley]

I strictly use mono ever since I was a kid. I spool my reel with 8 lbs test. Fill the spool with as much as I can. Every so often I will peel 20 yard off with the nicks of rocks and such. When the spool gets down to the point of effecting a cast, I splice more line on (the top of the reel). This method wastes very little line. Its cost effective. I have yet to lose a fish from bad line and I've caught some dandies.

[Greg]

I follow the same approach as limacharley - I use braid and tie on a 6 or 8 food mono leader most of the time.

When the line gets low on the spool from chopping off 20 feet at a time every 3 or 4 weeks (depending on usage) then i discard the old line completely and spool on full new 100meters of braid.   I always do a deep troll with a new spool and wind the new line up very tight and wet.

Greg

[T-Bone]

I use braid and tie on a 6 or 8 food mono leader most of the time.

Looking for and education here. So, why exactly do you use braid and then tie a flouro leader to your jig? Why not just use flouro alone? Adding the leader adds a potential knot fail point, IMO.

Have heard about this for many years, but never understood the advantage or thinking behind this approach. Does it 'improve' anything regarding the jig/bait's action? I'm just looking for the advantage of this....not that I'd ever go that route though...too much hassle.

When I get snagged up with 6 lb. mono, it's everything I can do to snap that bugger off, so I can't imagine "line strength" being a meaningful advantage.

Thanks @Greg....and everyone else who has an opinion on this....

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[Greg]

The advantage of braid and a mono leader, to me, is a couple of things...

- stretch versus no-stretch.  Braid has no stretch so I find I like the feel better

- braid - so easy to use and maintain - just my personable opinion that I find having a "cotton like" material versus the mono (to me, mono has memory which induces tangles). Maybe this is a carry over from me fishing with my kids when they were young.

- I used to use the same rods for multiple types of fishing in different locations.  I fish the Ottawa River frequently, and on any cast, you can hook up bass, 10lb pike, 10 lb catfish, gar pike, sturgeon or a 45lb musky (and a couple other species I am forgetting).   Having a solid braid line backbone  with at least a 20lb test rating is what I want on my reel (I don't use the 6lb mono leader while fishing the  river).  So it offers a convienence factor.

- diameter of 20 or 30 lb test braid line is the same (or pretty darn close) diameter as 6 or 8 lb mono line so there really is no impact to the amount you can spool on your reel or what the fish may see underwater.

I now have more rods than 10 years ago (I have walleye specific jigging rods now) but I just stick to what I am used to, comfortable with and I know I can have success with.

Whenever I help inexperience new fishermen - I always say go with what you are comfortable with - if a rod or reel "speaks to you" then you have found your next piece of tackle.  Maybe it is a little bit of a positive mindset and mental confidence game also (I believe it is).

By the way, you mention the possibility of a knot failure.  I am going to disagree with that notion - a double uni-knot is much stronger than the line itself.  It is easy and quick to tie and reliable. 

Hopefully that identifies the reasons and improvements braid offers.

Whatever you choose - TIGHT LINES!!!

[limacharley]

While we're talking about lines, knots are important also. Check to see if you're tying up properly...

https://www.netknots.com/index.php

[Kill Switch]

I switched to braid and fluoro leader last year on my jigging rod and have not looked back. No stretch and the best hook sets.
The fluoro disappears in the water.
The casting distance is not great with braid, so I keep a mono rod as well. I had no issues tying fluoro to braid. Never broke off.
I suggest a stiffer rod for braid. I can't imagine using a rod that has a "whippy" tip with braid.

Be curious to know what the best braid is.

[bucknbull]

I use both Power Pro and Fireline. Haven't had a reason to try anything else, so I can't comment on the other brands.
Both seem to cast further than any mono I've ever used.
Diameter of the braids is thinner/smaller than mono of the same test/lbs., so less resistance travelling through the air and also the rod guides.

The first line I ever bought that wasn't mono is Fireline. I actually used it on a stick for ice fishing initially, then re-spooled a spinning reel with the very same line. In winter, back on the stick. Did this for years with no problems other than snipping off a few inches on the end when the line began to fray. I did find tangles (bird's nest) were a pain to untangle, so taught me to be more cautious in this regard.

I would say the braids are affected by sunlight as well, just not to the same degree as mono.

My 2 cents......

[CaptainCrappie]

I use braid as well, always with a floro leader.  Some good reasons to use braid have been ones already discussed.  Smaller diameter, better feel, no memory, and when new, tremendous breaking strength over similar rated mono.  Try breaking any same lb. strength braid and then do the same with mono and then you'll wonder how they both can be rated the same lb. strength. I've pulled around my pontoon boat with 6 lb. test.   But... what I do have a complaint about braid is....  it does fade in time and also frays, so be careful to watch for that.  Fireline crystal doesn't fade so much but it still frays. (look real close)  Ya just have to keep cutting a few feet off periodically or respool backwards. Try biting braid and you'll know why you have to have a good cutting tool with you. Now maybe my line guides on my Ugly Stiks  speed up the wear or maybe I just catch too many fish... Naw, that aint it.  Anyone else experience the same with braid?


C.C.

[T-Bone]

Well...if nothing else you guys are validating why I DON'T use braid for jigging. Primarily, if the fish are hot and the action is explosive the LAST thing I want to monkey with is tying at least two knots (and tying a knot with braid is harder than mono by a looooong shot), having to use a blade to cut line, and worrying about fraying, etc. If I snap off a jig with mono, I can have another jig tied, baited, and back in the water in about 20-seconds. Assuredly that would take 10x longer with braid.

As for "feel" maybe I'm not sure what I'm missing, but we catch an awful lot of fish so I don't think we're handicapped in any way by using mono.

Just prefer to keep it simple, I guess...at least for my walleye rods. I have braid on my "big" reel for pike and dag...that stuff is strong.

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