Line Longevity

[Jim Brook]

I hope all this discarded line is getting recycled I only replace my reel line at the beginning of the new season i use a few different reels mind, and just remove any damaged line as and when needed? Maybe the rivers I fish have less line damaging materials in them?

 

[Jim Brook]

I should add that I only fish once or twice at most a week as well, and have been using some lines that I’ve had stored correctly for over 6 years too.

 

[Jim Brook]

I should add that I only fish once or twice at most a week as well, and have been using some lines that I’ve had stored correctly for over 6 years too.

In fact I’ve actually still got some line that I’ve bought from lone angler when they had there closing down sale! Which must be ten years old now! That I’ve just come across that I’ll use this season as it’s been stored correctly at room temperature and out of direct sunlight in a cardboard box in a drawer

 

[Terry Simner]

Hi All, after just receiving some new wagglers I decided to run some line through them. Then I had a thought : Check the breaking strain of the braid (yellow 10.6lb Jig Silk) that's been used on my Severn waggler rod for ~10years (testing the last few metres of line immediately above the the fluoro hooklink). And whilst I was at it, and due to this thread, I thought I'd dig out some 6lb b/s Platil that I must have bought over 40 years ago.
Results ;
Well used 10 years old Jig Silk (rated at 10.6lb) ...... 11lb found.
New 40 years ago Platil (rated at 6lb) ..... 7lb found.

Make of that what you will

 

[Tim Marks]

Hi All, after just receiving some new wagglers I decided to run some line through them. Then I had a thought : Check the breaking strain of the braid (yellow 10.6lb Jig Silk) that's been used on my Severn waggler rod for ~10years (testing the last few metres of line immediately above the the fluoro hooklink). And whilst I was at it, and due to this thread, I thought I'd dig out some 6lb b/s Platil that I must have bought over 40 years ago.
Results ;
Well used 10 years old Jig Silk (rated at 10.6lb) ...... 11lb found.
New 40 years ago Platil (rated at 6lb) ..... 7lb found.

Make of that what you will

I would expect the mono to do exactly that - if it has been looked after. I have dregs of bulk spools left from the 90's that are still fine.

Im amazed at the braid, the last spool I checked for a mate was labelled 30 lb and it broke at 7.

 

[Terry Simner]

Im amazed at the braid, the last spool I checked for a mate was labelled 30 lb and it broke at 7.

I've had similar experiences with inexpensive braid (and once with a 'wonder' mono that actually broke at half its stated B.S.)
Whatever line I use, I check it before spooling up. I've had zero problems with PowerPro/Slick 8, or that Jig Silk (Fox IIRC) I use, plus a much cheaper Spectra Extreme Braid has been brilliant (although the name "Spectra" is used by many suppliers, and not all are good).
The answer is ...check it.
BTW... I've seen it said on here in the past that knot strength in braid is rubbish (i.e. worse than with mono). I've found the opposite to be true, with breaks in braid occurring in un-knotted stretches. 'Knot-breaks' are usually caused by crimping, and mono does crimp. But braid does not.. so knot strength in braid should be much better than in mono (IMHO)

 

[Tim Marks]

I've had similar experiences with inexpensive braid (and once with a 'wonder' mono that actually broke at half its stated B.S.)
Whatever line I use, I check it before spooling up. I've had zero problems with PowerPro/Slick 8, or that Jig Silk (Fox IIRC) I use, plus a much cheaper Spectra Extreme Braid has been brilliant (although the name "Spectra" is used by many suppliers, and not all are good).
The answer is ...check it.
BTW... I've seen it said on here in the past that knot strength in braid is rubbish (i.e. worse than with mono). I've found the opposite to be true, with breaks in braid occurring in un-knotted stretches. 'Knot-breaks' are usually caused by crimping, and mono does crimp. But braid does not.. so knot strength in braid should be much better than in mono (IMHO)

I've used lots of braid too and use cheap Chinese stuff for saltwater fly fishing backing with few issues. Losing fish there through tackle failure is not an option ! I use Berkeley Sick braid for light lure fishing and it is fantastic.

The braid I mentioned that broke at 7lb was very expensive spod braid.

 

[Colin Dapp]

And that's mostly why I use braid , I can get 300 yds, on my pin and I strip no more than 5m,,, if I've encountered some abrasive elements.. Im still using the same for 4yrs now and I know I've only stripped approximately 45 m , so have probably another 7yrs to go.
I really think most are afraid for a better word, of using braid , thinking it's abrasion resistance is very poor.
But if you are serious about using braids for float work, or indeed ledgering.
There are some exceptional braids available at the mo..
The ones I use are mega abrasion resistant, and cut through wind and water the same rate as any mono available today..
If you want some information on spooling up , just pm me and I'll gladly advise.

I've never heard of anyone using 300 yards of line of any discription on a centrepin. i usually use between 50 and 80 yards to prevent bedding in. Do you not have this problem? And no barbel don't run for that amount of yards

 

[Jim Brook]

I've never heard of anyone using 300 yards of line of any discription on a centrepin. i usually use between 50 and 80 yards to prevent bedding in. Do you not have this problem? And no barbel don't run for that amount of yards

My mate who owns a tackle shop and has done for 30 years or more always grins in disbelief when people test their newly bought line by wrapping around their hand and pulling against the spool as he informs me that they are actually damaging the line underneath the coils by pulling against it? Don’t think it will effect braid in the same way though? But it’s food for thought

 

[Jim Gregory]

Hi Colin the reason for putting a whole 300yrd spool on my pin serves 2 purposes, .
1 it increases the diameter and reduces time winding in.
2 if I have a disaster. ie. With a good amount of line out, I know im still able to fish on.
I use daiwa j braid expedition, and if you wind it on taught under pressure, it dramatically reduces bedding in, which is even less of an issue with good round braids anyway...
And don't be worried about breaking strains I use. .13 and I think it's 29lb and my hi s 15ft. tfg tremor 15ft and Conny 15-17ft can cope with it with no issues.
It's not everyone's cuppa but I swapped about 4 yrs ago and won't go back to mono.
Had to many unexpected snapped lines playing barbel , even though the line seemed fine . And some which I knew were special fish..
Not any more....