A good-quality fishing line can save from issues with tangles, breakages, casting, and weak knots. Nowadays, fishing line is available in a variety of materials of different qualities.
Regardless of the type of fishing line you use (be it monofilament, braided, fluorocarbon, or anything in between), the quality of the line will affect its lifespan.
In this article, we’re discussing the topic in detail as we answer the question “does fishing line go bad?”. Let’s get started.
Does Fishing Line Go Bad?
When in use, high-quality braided fishing lines can last for a lot of years before needing to be replaced. As for monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, these will eventually go bad after using them for a couple of seasons in the water.
What’s more, unused fishing lines will lose their peak performance after a few years if you don’t store them properly. As such, you should keep in mind that there’s a difference between a fishing line that actually went bad and a line that’s just past its prime but still works.
How Often Should I Change Fishing Line?
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to replace your fishing line once or twice a year. However, it’s still possible for you to use a line for a lot longer than that depending on several factors that we’ll be discussing below.
What Makes a Fishing Line Go Bad?
Many things can affect the lifespan of fishing lines including the frequency of use and the water conditions. The following are the factors that can cause a fishing line to go bad:
- Frequency of use — the most important factor here is how frequently you use the fishing line. The more you use it, the more it’s exposed to elements of degradation such as abrasion from rocks and other underwater obstacles. This increases the chances of damaging the structure of the line, making it weaker and more prone to tangles and breakage.
- Improper storage after use — if you store your fishing line under direct sunlight, it’ll go bad in a shorter time. This is because UV rays will degrade the structure of the fishing line. Additionally, if you store your fishing line while still wet, it’ll break down faster than a line stored dry.
- Weight of the fishing line — lighter fishing lines are more prone to wear than heavier ones because they have a weaker structure. As a result, lighter fishing lines will degrade more quickly, especially if you use them regularly.
- The type of water you’re fishing in — you may not realize this, but the type of water you’re fishing in can affect the lifespan of your line. Saltwater acts faster when it comes to degrading the structure of a fishing line compared to freshwater. For this reason, make sure you rinse your reel and line with fresh water after you’re done and preparing for storage.
How Long Does a Fishing Line Last?
The answer to this question mostly depends on the material of which the fishing line is made. We’ve put together a simple guide to give you an idea of the approximate lifespan you can expect from the three main types of fishing lines: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided.
Monofilament
Monofilament fishing lines are the most commonly used type of lines among anglers of all skill levels. As the name implies, it’s made of a single strand of nylon.
Monofilament lines are popular because they’re affordable, easy to handle, and allow you to tie strong knots. Here’s how long you can expect a monofilament line to last:
- For occasional fishing: 12 to 14 month
- For moderate fishing: 10 to 12 months
- For Heavy fishing: 5 to 6 month
- On the shelf: 3 to 5 years
- On the reel: stays functional for up to 2 years as it undergoes minor loss of quality given proper storage.
Fluorocarbon
A bit less widespread than monofilament lines, fluorocarbon fishing lines have the advantage of being practically invisible underwater. Additionally, fluorocarbon material is more resistant to the degradation effects of UV rays.
Here’s how long you can expect a fluorocarbon line to last:
- For occasional fishing: up to 24 months
- For moderate fishing: up to 18 months
- For Heavy fishing: 5 to 6 month
- On the shelf: up to 7 years
- On the reel: stays functional for up to 3 years as it undergoes minor loss of quality given proper storage.
Braided
Braided fishing lines are known for possessing a high level of strength that exceeds both of the types we talked about above. As such, braided lines have the longest lifespan, which is why they’re the most expensive type.
Braided lines also have narrow diameters that are great for trolling or plunking for bass. Here’s how long you can expect this fishing line to last:
- For occasional fishing: up to 3 years
- For moderate fishing: up to 2 years
- For Heavy fishing: 1 to 2 years
- On the shelf: up to 10 years
- On the reel: stays functional for up to 4 years as it undergoes minor loss of quality given proper storage.
How to Properly Store a Fishing Line?
Here are a few tips to help you extend the lifespan of your fishing line:
- Store your fishing reels and line spools indoors where the temperatures are moderate. Look for a spot where the temperature and humidity are somewhat constant year-round. For example, a spare room or office.
- Keep your fishing line in a dark place. As we mentioned above, direct sunlight can be very damaging to fishing lines, especially the monofilament type. So, be sure to place your new spools in a drawer or a dark box away from the effect of UV rays.
- Always rinse your line and reel with fresh water at home after fishing in saltwater.
- Don’t store a fishing line while still wet.
Wrap Up
So does fishing line go bad? The answer is yes, a fishing line will eventually lose its functionality with use. However, the exact period depends on many factors including the line material, frequency of use, and storage conditions.