Longest You've Gone Before Changing Your Braid?

I used to put 100 yds. of braid (80 lb. Power Pro) on a reel, use it for a summer, then take it off and reverse it, and use the same line the next summer. Then I would change it out – getting two years out of 100 yds. of line.

Now I put 100 yds. on my reel and I might use it for 3-4 years if nothing tragic happens and my reel stays relatively full. I’ve never broken off on a fish – ever. The stuff on a couple of my reels has reached the 4 year mark but still looks fine.

Do your braids ever wear out or deteriorate? Anyone going even longer with their braids?

Thinking about musky guys using the same braids, and given how much casting they do in a season compared to what I do for flatheads, maybe I’ll just keep using the 4 yr. old line??

I have some 832 that is at least 6+ years old, still waiting for A line failure to replace. I like it more as it ages, it gets more pliable and easier to work with.

BigWerm wrote:

I have some 832 that is at least 6+ years old, still waiting for A line failure to replace. I like it more as it ages, it gets more pliable and easier to work with.

Yup, me to. Once you get rid of the waxy stuff the line is way better.

8+ years on my musky rod…until it becomes an issue i wont worry about it

I have one musky rod sitting on 8 years but I don’t use that one very much. I am normally around 4 to 6 years because the spool gets too low.
100 lb Cortland Master Braid

Same with me. I cannot remember how old the line is. I think it is 5+ years. It still looks good and I’ve had no issues. I’m going to keep going until something happens.

Depends on how much use and abuse it gets. I mainly use Power Pro and some reels will get changed yearly or more, some I’m sure are 10+ years old. If it starts getting fuzzy, looking old, or just acting different and taking 10 feet off doesn’t help it gets swapped out.

Till I run out. I say that in all seriousness, unless of course it is a bad spool.

I’ve heard of guys flipping line around too. Seems like a bit of a pain unless you have one reel empty already but if you do all you would need to do is wind line from one reel on to another. Makes sense in that the inside half of a spool sees no abrasion in most cases.

Haven’t tried it myself just thought I’d throw it out there.