Hello,

I have several fishing line spools both in mono and braided. Several of these spools are 5-10 years old. I live in a dry climate and keep them in my garage that never gets below freezing. I was wondering if there is a general expiration date and if I should stay on the safe side and discard the older lines?

Also how often do you change your fishing line if you only make it to the BW once a year and do not fish using that line until the next trip to the BW?

Thanks much

Mono is CHEAP........replace it.

Braid.......not cheap.......but replace it TOO......... :)

I usually take a spool of line with me on a trip. And end up changing line during the trip. If I was smart, I'd re-line ahead of the trip, but I'd still bring a spare spool anyway.

I'd say change line on both your reels.

The sun is what really breaks it down, it seems to me. You should probably change it out, but sometimes what I do is just check it by trying to break it. Old bad line usually will reveal itself.

ya dump the old line 5-10 years is a long time even if keep in a controlled Environment. how often to change line , for a BW trip mono every year braid can go 2-4+ years.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I will relieve myself of the old spools per your advice and change out the line on my reels.

Thanks again

The braid should be fine. The mono not so good..

Braid should be good as others have said. Mono....I might still check it out just to see. If it's not been in the sun or freezing I think you're ok. How long do spools hang on retailers shelves or in warehouses?

I’ve always thought it was kind of weird that fishing mono line never has a date on the box of when it was manufactured. Everyone always says to replace every year, but I have zero idea how old it is when I buy it.

Savage Voyageur: "I’ve always thought it was kind of weird that fishing mono line never has a date on the box of when it was manufactured. Everyone always says to replace every year, but I have zero idea how old it is when I buy it. "

fleet farm pulls it off the shelves in the fall same box back on the shelf next spring . you are correct SV !

You may be able to salvage the braid and use it as backing on a fresh spool with new line on top. As another alternative, you could transfer the braid to another spool so that the used portion of line is at the bottom and then the fresher line is to the outside, being used each cast. Before doing either of these I would visually inspect the line and perhaps try breaking the line to see if the strength is still there.

As that trophy pulls up next to your canoe , glistening in the sun dipped water, and you hear that sickening pop of your line breaking. It will be at this
Point you will receive your answer on whether you should replace your line .

Basspro69: "As that trophy pulls up next to your canoe , glistening in the sun dipped water, and you hear that sickening pop of your line breaking. It will be at this
Point you will receive your answer on whether you should replace your line ."

Yep... that happens on occasion to me. I feel bad for 20 seconds, then cast for another one. Unless it was to be dinner, then I feel bad a bit longer.

But yes, change the line often.

I'm an old line man.....really old.

Save the old braid, it makes a good tough thread for sewing up thick fabrics like cargo pants and heavy denim. I repaired a pair of pants with 30 year old spider wire :)