Fishing Line - when should it be replaced?

Looking for some common wisdom on when one should replace the line on their reels.   I am just getting back into fishing and started wondering if the lines that are on my reels should be replaced before heading out again?   It has been about 5 years and there are a variety of lines, but mostly mono and a coupe that have heavy braids.   I want to avoid the frustration of loosing fish and gear because the line isn't holding up.   My thought as a newbie is if I am thinking that it should be changed, change it.   Also I have some line that is still on the spools, but have no ides of how old it is (over 5 years), should I even consider using it?   Thanks for the help!!

Looking for some common wisdom on when one should replace the line on their reels.   I am just getting back into fishing and started wondering if the lines that are on my reels should be replaced before heading out again?   It has been about 5 years and there are a variety of lines, but mostly mono and a coupe that have heavy braids.   I want to avoid the frustration of loosing fish and gear because the line isn't holding up.   My thought as a newbie is if I am thinking that it should be changed, change it.   Also I have some line that is still on the spools, but have no ides of how old it is (over 5 years), should I even consider using it?   Thanks for the help!!

I am no expert, but I have been using 20 lb mono for leaders in the salt water that is 15 years old or older.  It is still on a spool and has always been stored inside in a drawer with no exposure to sunlight.  I have never had a break off of a leader unless I had to break off a snag (except when I had dropper loops tied into the leader).  I have a spool of 8 lb line that is close to 30 years old.  I have used it for trout and bass with no problems.   Mostly though, I use it to make droppers for lead so I can break it off without losing all the other gear.

I would think the braided line is just fine.  I have braid on my rods that is older than that and I am still using it.  I think the braid is way more durable than the mono.  If your lines have not been exposed to a lot of sunlight (ie stored inside) I would think you are good to go.

If it isn't a mess of coils from "memory" of being on the spool, or starting to act brittle from exposure to sun/age it should be fine.  Manufacturers lead us to believe it has a shelf life...which is somewhat true, but if it looks and feels fine I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Along with what has already been said.  If you see any abrasions or nicks in the line then I would replace it.  Otherwise if the weight is strong enough for the fish you will be catching then run with it!  No sense in throwing money away if there is no real need. 

I just learned the hard way that you really should replace the braid yearly. How do i know this? Broke off four tarpon cuz of compromised 65lb braid. Coulda broken off 0 had I taken care of business. It was a bad tackle day. Spooling up yearly is kinda costly, but so is losing fish when you could've so easily prevented it!

I have braid that is a decade old that seems as strong as day one. Mono on the other hand I change yearly.

You should be able to see any fraying on braid. If its bad you gotta change it. Mono can seem ok but between UV, memory, bug repellent, etc, it's not bad idea to change it yearly.


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I just learned the hard way that you really should replace the braid yearly. How do i know this? Broke off four tarpon cuz of compromised 65lb braid.

How do you know it was compromised line?  Maybe it was too big of a fish for the gear.  Are you sure new braid would not have broken off?

I can't think of many circumstances for kayak fisherman when 65lb braid would break (besides abrasion). Ever tried to pull 65lb off a snag? A rod with some action and a reel with at least a semi-functioning drag should be plenty of buffer for even huge fish.  Provided the rod/reel are rated somewhere in the ballpark of the fish you're targeting (and line test).

Not to mention you're in a craft that can be towed, which is extra buffer.

And I know it was the line because I stripped off about 50 yds and ended up landing a tarpon that was the same size as the ones that broke me off.

Now of course there's 50 yds less line, which has its own perils. You can roll the dice and not worry about it, which I have been doing (but won't anymore). Or just keep stripping each time you fish. but when that big one comes along and you miss it cuz of something that could've been prevented (compromised line, spooled)...its heartbreaking.  It's costly to replace line, but it's costlier to lose the big daddies.  For my heart.

I've always worried more about the lighter test lines (30 and below) and was vigilant about making sure it's in good shape.  I incorrectly assumed the heavier braids were fine simply because of their beef.  And this, is the lesson I learned!

I'd agree w/ the Ror-dawg, once a year at minimum. If you fish an area with a lot of snags and rocks I'd up to twice a year. In all reality you could strip off 100 yards or so and Albright tie a replacement on if you want to cut costs. Especially to mono or fluoro just being in UV light and heat can degrade your line and make it weaker.

Thanks for all of the great input!   Think that I will start, as the budget allows, replacing the line an my current stable of reels.  Might consider keeping a written record of when the lines were replaced, just so I will KNOW for sure.  Or I could just call it a b-day present and take care of them once a year!!

Great ideas!

You can also flip the line on the reel and get an extra year out of it.  I fish braid till it really starts to fray, I've got reels where the line is probably 5-7 years old and it keeps on trucking, if it looks good I keep fishing it. I only use mono for leaders and I try to keep it fresh. 

Rory.. check your guides and see if you have a rough spot on one. I had an oversize sturgeon rod that had a rough guide and it was destroying the braid when I had big fish on.

Rory.. check your guides and see if you have a rough spot on one. I had an oversize sturgeon rod that had a rough guide and it was destroying the braid when I had big fish on.

Good point.  my rods tend to get the rough treatment.   

Rory.. check your guides and see if you have a rough spot on one. I had an oversize sturgeon rod that had a rough guide and it was destroying the braid when I had big fish on.

Good point.  my rods tend to get the rough treatment.   

I had the same problem on my old sturgeon rod.  One of the eyes was fraying the line.