I Have Some Questions About Line.

[Blazerman]

And I am hoping to hear from people who know the facts.

Specifically how long does line stay good? I have a bunch of different size line for all the different types of fishing I do and have often wondered how long it is supposed to last. I keep it in a large plastic container that has a lid so it is protected somewhat. Some of this line might be 4-5 years old at least.

What I usually do if I am going to use it is take it out and try to break it with my hands. Depending on what size it is usually determines how quick it will break and if it breaks quicker then I think it should I get rid of it. I know this is not very scientific.

Also, how often do you change out the line on your reels?. I have rods with reels that might go 3-4 months between use like my catfish set ups and usually dont worry about changing them until I notice the line seems to be breaking easier than it should. Again not very scientific.

And one more question. Many times the line will get curls and kinks from being on the reel to long and become hard to use. Does anyone use line conditioners like the Reel Magic stuff I see advertised?

Thanks for any help.

[RSBreth]

Monofiliment line has a shelf life - how long kind of depends on the quality and you store it. It's also cheap - so I'd just recycle it and buy new. I use superlines almost 100% of the time now - some of my crappie setups sit for 10 months or so until the next spring, and have had the same Sufix braid on them for 6 or 7 years. My two catfish rigs are the same - plain old spiderwire on them for years and still just fine.

I used to buy bulk spool of mono and refill every few trips - glad I don't have to waste my time and money like that anymore.

[Feathers and Fins]

Old question and so many variables with the lines and manufactures and how you store the equipment etc. I have got to the point I have mandatory line changes. March1st, May 1st, October 1st. Then there is necessity changes for instance if I'm trolling a lot I need to change it more or if I'm fishing heavy cover as I like to keep a full spool at all times and break offs and abrasion will quickly take line off the spool. When I have nicked up line I will not only pull to that point but also at least 10ft past it. If I develop line twist I will also pull 10yrds past the ending point.

Another thing to think about is at the end of each trip to run a q-tip through your guides if the cotton snags you have a problem also run it through the reel areas where line might touch.

[WHARFRAT]

I just started using braid, so I can't really say much about that, only that for crappie fishing, it's the best thing going. I first only used mono for dock shooting, but have switched to braid this winter. Seems so much more sensitive, especially when the bite is real light.

As far as mono goes, I agree with F and F, I'll change line almost on a schedule. So normally, I don't have a replacement spool of line much over a year old. Storing your equipment is important, I've seen a lot of people just leave their rods outside all the time. I think the heat is the worst enemy against line.

As far as line butter or reel magic, I've tried it, don't really think it made a big difference.

Get on the Braid Train. Big Difference!

[Mitch f]

Sunlight has a huge effect on nylon line. Line conditioner helps block the UV rays and helps the line last longer. Fluorocarbon is less affected by sunlight. If it were me I would change every 2 trips or so and use line conditioner. Keep in mind that can use cheaper line on the spool and use your favorite line for the last 50 yards.

[MOsmallies]

I do exactly what Mitch does.... I use P-Line CX Premium and have been so happy with it that I bought 3000 yd spools of 8 lb, 10 lb, and 15 lb a couple years ago. I'm still using them to this day and I change line every trip or at least every 2 trips. I store them in my basement where it's cool (not cold) and they are not exposed to any sunlight. Haven't had any break off issues. Using cheap mono as a backing really will save you a ton of money and time when it comes to re-spooling. I usually replace my backing once a year in the late winter when I clean and oil all my reels. I also utilize the Blakemore Reel Magic line conditioner before, during, and after each trip.

[Ham]

I've read the reports about mono having a shelf life also, but my experience with line stored inside out of sunlight is that it lasts a LONG time. I change out mono frequently on my reels, but I have bulk mono and copoply that is over a decade old and it seems as good as the day it was extruded.

your milage may vary, but I have no concerns about the age of bulk mono and copoly.

[WHARFRAT]

A couple of years ago, I went up in my parents attic over their garage. Dad had a couple of spools of Mr. Crappie line. It said it was made in Germany. I was just wondering how old that line is. He's been gone over 10 yrs and wasn't able to get out a few years before that. He also had some RedHead Camo that was made in the USA, and it was the old style Camo too.

Can't get much stuff now that isn't made in China.

[MOPanfisher]

I've had stren line in bulk spools that was 20 years old and as strong as it was when bought. It was always kept in dark. I have long since switched to braid. Mono it seemed to depend on what line I was using, how I was using it etc. how often I needed to change it. Cheap line like Mr. Crappie, or Cajun Red got twisted and "kinky" pretty quick, but it was cheap to strip off and throw away. Stren was much better, and while I loved P-Line it was pretty stiff and had a lot of memory. I much prefer braid, but there are places where mono works better, or at least a mono or fluoro leader, such as fishing a lot of rocks, braid wears quickly on the rocks, seems to handle wood fine but don't like rocks. I have some braid that has been on the reel for more than 5 years, only thing I did was once I turned it around so it was a pretty neon yellow again.

[Blazerman]

I was thinking the same thing about the mono I have. It seems to be holding up fine in the container I have it stored in which I keep on a shelf in the garage. The only time I had a fish break it was when I was catfishing with some of the 20lb mono and I think that had more to do with the size of the fish then the line being bad. I tried to pull a big flathead out of a logjam and he didn’t want to come. I got him up to where I could see his big flat head on the other side of a log but when I tried to pull him over it the line snapped. I have gone to all braid for my catfish rods since then.

Based on the comments here though I think I will start using the mono as backing and upgrade to some better line for this year.