How Long does Fishing Line Last?

There is no expiration date on fishing lines. So many of us are perplexed by the question of how long fishing line is supposed to last. This is a must-ask question, given the importance of fishing lines in luring in a fish.

Fishing lines may last anywhere from two to ten years on average, depending on the kind of fishing line you use. If you can, alter it once or twice based on your needs.

To avoid this unneeded expense, don't make any changes until after the project is complete. It is possible to shatter it when getting your dream fish if you do not change. Either way, you'll come to regret your choice.

As a result, what should one do in these situations?

There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to the quality, usage, and kind of fishing lines. If you're curious about the solution, keep reading. By learning how to properly store and maintain your fishing lines, you will be more prepared for the next time you go out on the water.

Because fishing lines don't have an expiry date, many of us have come to believe that they are indestructible. This is a big misinterpretation of us, because there is nothing in this world that does not expire.

The sorts of fishing lines you use and how often you use them both have an impact on how long they last. The lines may need to be replaced more regularly if you routinely use them in saltwater in order to capture bigger fish.

Lines that are exposed to direct sunlight and never washed will wear out much faster. In contrast, fishing line that is stored and used correctly may last anywhere from two to ten years.

In order to give you a clearer picture, below are the three kinds of fishing lines:

If your fishing lines are in a good position, then only you can get the desired outcome while going fishing. Otherwise, let alone catching a fish, your whole fishing journey will turn into a disaster just because you didn't change your fishing lines.

Therefore you should have a clear idea about them. In addition, knowing the varied types of fishing lines will undoubtedly help you choose the exact one for you.

Let's dig in without further delay:

The braided line is the most expensive fishing line, yet it is on people's favourite list. Wondering why?

From where to start, this fishing line comes with extreme strength, thickness, durability, and massiveness. It almost leaves you with nothing to complain about except the cost. Maybe that's why we found it gaining popularity with each passing year.

Now, if we talk about its construction, we see that it is created with artificial fiber. These fibers are so good that you can hardly distinguish between the natural fiber and the synthetic version.

Compared to monofilament and fluorocarbon, the braided fishing lines can hold much more weight. And also, don't stretch out, regardless of the fish weight it is carrying. If that wasn't enough, it also comes with a skinner fishing line to offer the best possible length you can apply on your reel while catching the fish.

They can last for a decade or even more by giving the same experience and service. However, it is better that you change the braid once or twice a year if you do heavy or moderate fishing. And in case you are a weekender, you can change it once a year depending on your need.

Now the question may arise, how changing the braid will help me anyway? Right!!!

Well, it is for your betterment as if you change it within time, it will undoubtedly increase longevity and keep quality intact. So make sure to change it properly if you want your one to last for a generation.

Another critical thing to note is that braided lines are highly repellent to heat, sunlight, doesn't absorb water and line memory. As a result, it doesn't lose its flexibility with time. Instead keeps on getting better that you will feel like you bought it yesterday.

Hence, if you want a durable one that has the power to catch big-sized fishes no matter how challenging the situation is, then nothing can beat the braided fishing lines.

Drawback:

As all things have a weakness, similarly, these powerful fishing lines have a poor abrasion repellent. Meaning, it can get easily scratched if it is rubbed frequently against any hard or sharp objects.

Except for these, it has all the high qualities that an ideal fishing line should have. You just need to take care of it a bit, so it doesn't get rubbed often.

Monofilament fishing lines are like the most basic and worldwide fishing lines that almost every fisherman has in their toolbox. These fishing lines are the least lasting one compared to the other 2 fishing lines. Still, we find people using it widely.

Seems a bit confusing, Right?

Well, the main reason behind this is the availability. Meaning, you will find it at almost all places whenever you need that too, at a much cheaper rate. But, at the same time, they are the lightest and fastest and most comfortable fishing lines one can find themselves with for carrying at every place.

The word mono is added to it because this fishing line has only one continuous synthetic fibre line. It is generally made of nylon and stretch before it reaches its breakdown point.

This fishing line has gone through numerous tests to determine the pressure amount it can hold until its last moment of breaking the line. But at each time, we see that it gets a different rating at various tests.

However, a standard answer from all tests is that a 30lb monofilament should break exactly when 30lbs of pressure is pulled upon it.

One of the leading and most significant benefits that a monofilament fishing line offers is that you can buy a lot of them together and then can have the trim part weaken consequently.

As a result, it will offer more line maintenance and thus last for at least 2 or more years by giving a comfortable use. Therefore, if you want a high-performing line maintenance fishing line available nearly everywhere at a much cheaper rate, then monofilament is the perfect one to go for.

Drawback:

The leading drawback of monofilament fishing line is they are the least durable ones. The shelf life of monofilament fishing life is only about 1 to 2 years.

Due to which you require to change them several times compared to the other fishing lines. They are also vulnerable to heat and sunlight.

Another downside of this line is once it gets started getting worn out, it stops functioning, even if you need it the most at that time. To simply put, it will be of no use, and it is time you replace it. The same thing goes for nicks and kinks.

The fluorocarbon fishing line is almost the same in appearance compared to a monofilament fishing line. Moreover, it is also a single-threaded fibre like the monofilament. But it is made of a different material, namely polyvinylidene fluoride, unlike nylon in monofilament.

Though the look may be similar to some extent, many things differentiate a fluorocarbon from a monofilament fishing line. So there is nothing to be confused about.

They are known to be much more complex and invisible in the water, unlike others. It is one of the main reasons it started grabbing attention, and accordingly, people started calling it a leader.

It is a bit firmer, meaning it has more line memory, and thus it will keep the curls shape intact from the reel, bends, etc. Although line memory is not a good characteristic of the fishing line, this line's high power and the almost invisible feature can overshadow its downsides.

This invisible feature of this fishing line underwater makes it an ideal one for catching varied kinds of fishes. Moreover, if we talk about its durability, it is more than the monofilament line and can last around for 5-7 years or more if properly cared for.

Yet, they need less care and maintenance than the monofilament as they can handle sunlight. It doesn't get easily torn out, and even if it gets a scratch, it can still work for the time being.

Hence, these fishing lines are a good choice for the frequent fishers who like and have to fish in the freshwater. In contrast, they are not an ideal option for use by saltwater or daily anglers.

Drawback:

Though it has so many benefits to offer, it still has some negative aspects. Like they are costly and somehow have the same tensile power as the monofilament lines for catching fishes. As a result, they have no ratings for catching larger fishes like the braided lines.

The longevity of your fishing lines largely depends on how you store them. If you keep them properly in the right manner, then for sure longevity will be increased. So let's check out the ways you should follow and use for storing your one:

The first thing for storing your fishing line is you have to keep it in an organized manner, especially for the offseason. Without knowing the right way of storing them, many people just keep them loosely, either in a bag or in a container.

As a result, the fishing line gets affected. Hence, make sure to keep the reel tightly and store it in a protected and clean area.  Also, please don't place any objects on them. Otherwise, the weight of that substance can hamper the line.

One of the crucial things you need to consider while storing your fishing line is keeping it in a cool and dark place. It is because the sunlight and heat can have an extreme effect on the lines. So you can use a cloth bag for protecting it against any scratches.

The bacteria and the salts can create micro-scratches on the line, affecting the line's power. So how to get rid of this problem?

Well, the best solution is cleaning the reel after every time you use it. As a result, it will altogether remove any organic bacteria growth and salts on the line. Moreover, proper cleaning will increase the duration and strength of the fishing line.

One of the ideal locations for storing the lines is the fishing/tackle box. But before using the box, you must give it a good bath. It is because your box can also contain the same bacteria and salts that you have just washed away from your fishing line.

So by placing the fishing line without washing the tackle box can damage the line instead of protecting it. Therefore, take about 10-15 extra minutes for cleaning the fishing box. These additional minutes can save your fishing line from various problems.

Generally, there are no expiry dates labelled on a fishing line. Yet, as a personal opinion, I would recommend evaluating a fishing line after using it for 1.5 to 2 years.

However, it can get nasty at any time, depending on your use and other varied factors. Therefore, the best is to keep a check on the line every time before going and after fishing.

The only reason for this is even a brand new one can get scratches or nicks while fishing. It, in turn, can affect the overall fishing line strength. 

A general rule that all fishermen follow is checking the fishing line properly before and after fishing. The purpose behind doing this is to ensure that the fishing lines are in a good position. And have not made contact with anything except for the rod and reel. Additionally, keeping a proper check on the fishing line helps to lessen the chances of losing fishes.

Once you have successfully passed the 1.5 to 2 years mark, it is customary to think of whether you should use the old fishing line for your next trip or not.

Well, there is a line test that can help you in solving your dilemma. Luckily, you can always go for a line test:

Firstly, firmly tighten one end of the line to any solid objects. Next, ensure that the thing is powerful enough to endure the triple time's pressure you will put on your line.

After then, go about 20 to 30 feet away from the line and begin pulling. If the line breaks down well before the weight, it will mean that its power has weakened, and it's time you say goodbye to it.

On the other hand, if the line can withstand the pull, it will mean that it can still catch fishes as before, and you can use it comfortably.

Caution Note:

These line test can be risky. That's why do it under expert supervision with proper measures. Make sure to wear safety glasses and keep children away while conducting these line tests.

There is no precise answer to this question but still expected to last at least 1.5 to 2 years. As it entirely depends on the fishing line, storage and other varied conditions.

Extreme heat and cold temperatures can play a crucial factor in affecting the functionalities and longevity of the fishing line. But if you can take extra special care of your fishing line and all the tools, then there is a high chance that your one will stay strong no matter how hard the situations get.

No matter how much you love or need to do fishing, you must never store an extra fishing line for a more extended period. The best is to buy the amount you need unless you require to go fishing every day to make a living.

The ideal option is to buy one when you plan to go on a fishing trip or just use some leftovers from previous use (if any). One thing to note, if you use the older line, you must check the line properly while planning to use it. If you forgot the purchase time, you could always go for a line test anytime you want.

The best is to switch to a braided fishing line. Although it can cost a lot initially, it will still save in the long run. Additionally, it will offer some additional length and strength that you need precisely for catching a monster.

If you don't want your fishing line to leave you in a painful state while fishing, then you must know the answer to how long does fishing line last. They have different lifetime and durability based on the types and several other factors.

If you have properly gone through the article, you have certainly understood the types of fishing lines, with monofilament having the least durability and braiding the highest.

Besides these, the longevity of the lines depends mainly on how you use, store and take care of them. However, to be on the safer side, change the fishing lines 1-2 times a year, depending on your use.

We have received several queries regarding how long a fishing line will last. As a result, we created a separate part for answering the questions in our FAQ section. Let's go through them to discover many unknown things:

The need to replace the fishing line depends on your use and various other factors that can impact longevity. However, the standard time you can follow for changing your fishing line is 1 to 2 times per year.

The answer is a big yes. No matter how much the fishing line is unused, it will still lose its magic power if stored in the wrong manner for a couple of years.

Usually, a high-quality braided line can last for several years (8-10 years) before it starts breaking down. In contrast, monofilament (2-3 years) and fluorocarbon (5-7 years) will begin losing their power and collapsing after being used for a couple of seasons.

Yes, fishing lines can get degraded in the sun, especially the monofilament fishing lines. Compared to other fishing lines, the monofilament is much vulnerable to sunlight and heat. As a result, they tend to start degrading whenever it gets into contact with heat or direct sunlight.

There is no accurate measurement of what size fish a 10lb line can catch. Besides, it also varies depending on the quality, efficiency of the reel drag, angler's skill and experience, etc.

Generally, the shelf time of high-quality braided fishing lines is around 8-10 years if properly cared for. So if you are not a daily angler, you can change the braided lines 1 time per year. And in case you are an average angler, you can replace it once or twice a year.

Although there is no official declaration regarding the longevity of the monofilament fishing line, the experts still have given a prediction after evaluating its performance. The estimation said that the monofilament could have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years if properly cared for and stored.

For replacing the fishing lines, go through the below two steps:

• Make sure to get the lines through all the guides on the rod, especially the 1^st couple hundred feet are the most crucial ones.
• Keep the tension on the line properly while placing it on the reel. Otherwise, it will not work and may break.