Merlyn's thread on biodegradable fishing line got me to thinking about this. Is it REALLY necessary to change your line every year, or is that a myth pushed by fishing line manufacturers to sell more line?

I don't claim to be an expert on fishing, but I change my line about every 3-5 years depending on how much use it's gotten. And I almost never have issues with line breaking unless I'm obviously overloading it, like when trying to free a snag. Can't remember the last time I had my line break on a fish. So I'm inclined to say it's a myth. Thoughts?

Depends. UV light degrades any kind of fishing line. How often do you fish, what time of day do you fish, what is the line strength? I put new braid on every few years, mostly because rubbing on the rocks causes it to fray and I need to shorten it. When I think it is getting too short, I replace it. Light mono needs replaced more often than heavier line.

I use the same line for MANY years. I will just cut off a couple of feet of each in the spring and have rarely had trouble. I did one year, kept breaking line on one rod every time I had a snag so I put new on that rod. I probably go five years then either reverse it or put new line on.

Its pretty well known that fluorocarbon line is UV resistant, for good or bad it will last almost forever.

I change mine every spring. I do fish a lot and maybe it's just for my peace of mind. I would hate to lose my personal best fish because of old line.

blutofish1: " I change mine every spring. I do fish a lot and maybe it's just for my peace of mind. I would hate to lose my personal best fish because of old line. "

+1

I change mind each year. Lines get weaken and cuts in the lines from rocks. I hate to lose a $10 lure and worse a nice fish that breaks the line than has a big lure stuck in its mouth, probably with more than one treble hook on the lure.

blutofish1: " I change mine every spring. I do fish a lot and maybe it's just for my peace of mind. I would hate to lose my personal best fish because of old line. "

+1

mono should be changed yearly, if you fish a lot 2 or maybe even 3 times a year. if you dont fish much and line is kept out of sunlight 2years. braid you can get away with 3+ years

I change the outer 150’, or so, of a spool every year. I’m also pretty generous with what I cut off any time I change terminal tackle. As well, any time I’ve not changed a lure I’m casting to rocks or other cover in a while, I’ll lop off a couple feet and re-tie. All adds up to pretty fresh line at the business end at all times.

My method is to loosen the drag and pull off a few yards, try to break it between your hands(maybe wear gloves).
If it breaks between your hands, pull off more. Repeat this test until it stops breaking, and you should be good to go.

I learned the hard way that line degrades over time and with exposure to light/the elements. Ramshead Lake taught me to frequently check my line/knots.