Fishing Line
Does the fishing line ever go bad? It can get frayed from fishing around docks, rocks, and other types of structure, but does it go bad just on its own when in storage?
How Long Does Fishing Line Last?
How long the fishing line lasts depends on how well you take care of it.
If you rinse your line off with fresh water and you keep your rod and reels out of direct sunlight, you should be able to get at least a few years out of it before it needs to be replaced.
if you fish a lot, then you might want to replace the line on your reels every six months or so.
Every Couple of Years For Most People
You can probably get away with changing your fishing line once every couple of years.
Before Any Big Fishing Trips
If you are planning a big fishing trip and it’s been a little while since you changed your line, it might be a good idea to go ahead and make a change.
On Reels That Come Pre-Spooled
Another reason that you should change your line immediately is if you purchase a reel that already has the fishing line on it.
In most cases, it will be the cheap stuff and is pretty much garbage.
Signs That Your Fishing Line is Bad
There are different signs when using braid or mono that will determine when it’s time to change out your fishing line.
When The Line Is Frayed
This can happen to either mono or braid and occurs when either fighting a fish or getting caught on some type of structure.
If this happens, pay close attention to the condition of your line after every few casts to make sure that there are no weak sections in it.
If you spot a frayed section around your leader area, it’s best to go ahead and cut a good 10 ft section of your mainline off just to be on the safe side.
Line Is Discolored
Another sign that your line has gone bad is discoloration.
While this may be hard to spot with clear monofilament lines, it’s much easier to notice if you’re using a colored braid or colored mono line.
The color change is mainly due to sun exposure, which can dramatically weaken the line.
If you notice discoloration, it’s best to bite the bullet and go ahead and replace it.
Mildew Spots (monofilament)
It is probably a good idea to go ahead and change the line out.
Does Braid Last Longer Than Monofilament
If properly taken care of, a braided line can last much longer than monofilament.
Monofilament vs Braid Line (Pros and Cons)
Mono, on the other hand, tends to deteriorate much faster, in part due to exposure to sunlight and memory.
It also absorbs moisture after time, so even if you keep your mono in a nice cool, dry place, it can still go bad much quicker than braid.
Besides exposure to sunlight, the biggest cause of mono going bad is due to line memory.
Over time mono will take on the shape of whatever it’s wrapped around.
Recommended Fishing Line (Mono and Braid)
Power Pro Spectra
The line has virtually no memory or coil, virtually zero stretch, and is incredibly strong.
It’s a combination of these characteristics along with affordability that makes Power Pro Spectra the best all-around fishing line.
KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament
In a time when many people are moving away from monofilament lines in favor of fluorocarbons, and other hi-tech fishing lines, this is still an excellent line to use.
How to Extend The Life of Fishing Line
Eventually, all fishing lines will need to be replaced. But here are a few things that you can do to extend the line’s life for one more season.
Store Properly
Avoid storing your rod and reels outside or in a place where it gets super hot, cold, or wet such as an outside shed.
Frequently Rinse With Fresh Water
Wash off with fresh water after each use. Make sure the eyelets on your rod are in good shape!
If you have worn out eyelets, every time that you cast and reel your line, you could potentially be causing it to fray.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
If you can keep the fishing line out of direct sunlight, you’ll find that it lasts a lot longer.
Sunlight can quickly deteriorate the fishing line, making it extremely brittle and prone to breakage.
Does Unopened Fishing Line Go Bad
Yes, mono and braid can still go bad even if you have never taken them out of the package.
If you keep them in a hot place, where they are exposed to extreme heat and or sunlight, they will eventually go bad just like they would if they were on your fishing reel.
Line Memory Is The Culprit
Memory is what will make your unused line go bad the fastest.
When the fishing line is being used regularly, it has a chance to stretch out with every cast.
If it never leaves the spool that it was packaged on, it will eventually take on that shape.
Then when you try to spool it on your reel you end up with a coiled mess.
Even worse, when you try and cast it, you risk the chance of backlash, wind knots, and crow’s nest.
