Line longevity

Going thru the combos this evening got me thinking of how long some of the line has been on them.

Fireline crystal, none on currently, had a couple much used combos spooled up that went 4ish years b4 phantom breaks starting showing up. Will spool back once others go, sure a great line that I miss, will make sure to change every few years.

PowerPro has a couple combos, great line, probably change that more often from losing line in snags over the years than anything else. Have one reel thats probably 8 good years on it.

Rigging rod got sufix advanced and holding strong after the lines introduction. No signs of wear, doesn’t get used a whole lot but good stuff.

Sufix advanced braid been good, picked it at the time bc the stores PP didn’t have the hi vis I was looking for. When time to respool will be crystal or pp.

Seagur smackdown was horrific IMO, way to many wind knots. Soft thin and supple that I’m sure could be beneficial in other ways to others.

One combo w fireside that’s my oldest, 15yrs maybe? Been a backup channel cat reel for awhile might have to get it out this year yet and test it’s strength, imagine it’s good as ever.

Changed my mono leaders from sufix elite back to trilene xt, lots of snags compromised alot of mono/flouro lines after a break off and then the leader won’t hold a knot anymore. XT is about as good as it gets from what I’ve found.

And yes b4 someone mentions it always check your eyelets/reel armatures for damage and nicks/cuts that can compromise a line over time.

Curious to what luck you’ve had w yours

Big fan of power pro and suffix 832 . Had a rod with Suffix 832 (I think) I bought when I was in college . I was 19yo and finally respooled it this year 12 years later . Now I’m starting to wish all my stuff had hi vis on it . I struggle with the thought of throwing away perfectly good braid . Just doesn’t seem like I get the time out of mono personally . 2-3 years.

isu22andy wrote:

Just doesn’t seem like I get the time out of mono personally . 2-3 years.

I feel as though mono should be replaced every year or at least every other, to much memory unless you use some of the tricks to getting the memory out, I just respool it as mono is cheap. Braid I use Suffix 832 and has been good for many years.

isu22andy wrote:

Big fan of power pro and suffix 832

I use a lot of Sufix 832 as well. I primarily used Power Pro but one day they pegs were empty of that and I tried the 832 instead. I actually liked it better, so I just continued to use it.

I also use a little sufix advance, seaguar invisix, and seaguar blue label.

I definitely change out the mono and fluoro regularly but I don’t necessarily change out the 832 every season. I do inspect it though and just change it out as needed. Break offs are something that is preventable so having dependable, fresh line is important to me.

I use nothing but Sufix. Braid and mono. Zero complaints.

On my crappie rods that carry mono, twice a season, it’s changed out. Crappie braid is usually about 4 lb and I just keep an eye on it from year to year watching for fraying. My walleye/bass rods with mono are not used that much and always stored in a dark closet so the mono can see four or five years. Braid the same as with the crappie stuff.

I have empty spare spools for every reel that has braid on it. When It is time to change the braid and the line was new the last time I spooled it, I take the loaded spool off, put the empty on and tie the used end to the spool and back fill the empty spool so it is now filled with line having a new end. Mono is cheap so it doesn’t get handled this way.

I get so many snags in the river, and chaffing from zebra mussels, that even my power pro gets changed at least once a year. My catfish rods get the line removed and then respooled in reverse.

Braid Such as Powerpro or Suffix I leave on for a rather long time. Probably several years. When I notice it getting a little worn I will reverse the line on the spool and go another few years.
Fluro – Yearly
Mono – Probably 2X a season if not more. The line twist just gets to bad if you go loner.

Does anyone swear by Reel Magic? It’s like a food safe lubricant. I used it spooling line one year and it seemed like it took the dye out of the braid, but I do still use it to lube my reels.

I have trolling rods that the braid is 5+ years old. I have a couple casting rods that I bet the Trilene is near 10 years old. I always strip 10′ or so off the reel every spring to get fresher line at the stress points. I don’t know if it hurts or helps but I haven’t broken off a fish in years. Maybe I’m just lucky.

Just take off some of the old line and add new hi-vis. Connect with a uni to uni knot.

Liked my P-line last year-I use the KVD line conditioner. PP for braid.

Mono I change every year. I use a lot of braid, mostly 832. High vis to either mono or floro leader.

Berkley Whiplash 20+ yrs
Berkley Original Fireline/Crystal give about no more than 5 years
Berkley Fireline Braid 15+ yrs on the reel – I think, cuz they discontinued it.
Berkley Triline XL and XT no more than 5 yrs in storage. Change out every season.

Pline Floroclear 10+ yrs storage – would be careful after about 5 years on reel. Something about fluorocarbon coat that makes that line lasts super long.

Sufix 832 Advance braid 10+ yrs on the reel.
Sufix 131 G-Core 3+ yrs since they came out with it. Holds better than 832 Advance, but let’s see where it goes in 10+ years on the reel.

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If you use Reel Magic, just be ready to change your line out after one month. That stuff degrades your line tensile strength. And don’t get it on any plastics, it will rot and degrade it out. A few tools and parts peels off like as if they were 20 yrs old, but were only a week after application. Looked great on the day I polished it. I once applied it religiously on my line guides and 80# braid broke right at the top guide where my line bends on it in storage after I checked on it next season. Line broke like magic.

Do not let KVD line conditioner touch any line that will get below 32F. It will destroy that at the molecular level in a few days. So it’s a no for ice fishing.

832 on all but a couple rods and those have power pro. I prefer 832 after using both. Braid should last a few years if not more. Change Mono every year.

Fire Line Crystal still on two rods since Dean was at Everett’s still going strong, in my Opinion best braid made once it gets broken in.

Mono, flouro, and copolymer all develop memory and break down. The environmental conditions you store these lines in, especially if on a reel make a huge difference. Some last longer than others, Food Grade Silicone spray is your friend with all of these. Just spray the line on the reel and it will make them last longer. This especially cuts down on memory. The neat thing with braided line is that it lasts longer and does not develop memory. Once it starts to break down due to use, simply strip off the reel, and then respool in the opposite direction. So the worn stuff is tied to the spool and the unused is on the outside of the spool. Keeps the cost down.

All rods either have or are being rigged next with hi-vis suffix 832 braid. Either 8lb or 15lb. I take off about 20-30 yds to start the year, give it a few tugs to see if there is any bits that are brittle, then in the boat they go. I do use a rubber bead to protect the end eyelet, spro ball bearing swivel, and seagur flouro (10 or 20) for a leader on all rods that aren’t trolling rigs.

832 and new leaders tied on in the spring.