BassinNCstyle Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 Been on reel and hardly used for 4-5 years. Thinking of using this week since baitcaster broke. Will it be weak after so long? Quote
hooah212002 Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 As long as it's been in a moderate environment with stable temperature and not subject to humidity, braid is fine for a really long time. At worst, you'll have some memory issues at first that should get worked out after a bunch of casts. I could be wrong, so wait for more advice. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted July 1, 2013 Super User Posted July 1, 2013 you won't have any issues. many people keep braid on their reels for a few years at a time while continuing to use it throughout the season. you will be fine. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted July 1, 2013 Super User Posted July 1, 2013 I have braid that i have been using for two years now and it is ok so i would say go for it but maybe take some spare line with you n case soemthing goes crazy while you are out there. Quote
BobP Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 I don't think there are any concerns at all. If it has been "stored" in the back of your pickup for 3 years, run the line off the reel and reverse it so the newer line is now on top. 1 Quote
shallow thinker Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 I hate to be that guy.... but I had lost the 'big one' this winter when my braid failed. It was probably 2 year old braid. Old enough that it had lost most of its color. The failure was very strange. I hooked a very large snook that made 3 hard runs. I had to palm the spool of the spinning reel to keep the fish out of the bushes. The line, my knots and leader all held for the peak of the fight. Once I turned the fish for the 3rd time I took up some slack and the line parted. I got back my main line with no fraying or signs of wear. I never changed braid just because it was old. You either had a good batch.. which stayed on your reel for a long time or sometimes you get a bad spool which you throw away in just a couple of trips. I have to re-think that. From now on I'll use fresher line when fishing tournaments or targeting trophy fish. Quote
Virtuoso Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 As long as it's been in a moderate environment with stable temperature and not subject to humidity, braid is fine for a really long time. At worst, you'll have some memory issues at first that should get worked out after a bunch of casts. I could be wrong, so wait for more advice. I agree that the environment plays a huge role in the longevity of braid, or any line for that matter. If it has been left in an area exposed to extreme temperatures, heavy moisture and/or UV light it could shorten its longevity. Most likely, it will be fine as iabass said people use braid for twice as long as yours has not been used. Quote
Super User Sam Posted July 3, 2013 Super User Posted July 3, 2013 If you have run the line through your forefinger and thumbnail and do not feel any knicks, cuts, abrasions, etc. then the braid is OK. If you do feel any of these abnormalities cut them out. If you did not suffer any backlashes that you pulled and struggled with previously the braid is OK. if you had any backlashes please pull the braid off the reel and make sure the line was not damaged. If the line was kept in your house and not in a garage, shed or car the braid should be OK. If you have a leader on the braid I suggest changing it for a fresh leader. You may want to go outside and tie the end of the braid to a small tree or other object and walk away, stripping the road off the spool. Then take your time and respool the line back onto the reel by running the line over your thumbnail. This will not only air out the braid but you can note if there are any hidden weak spots. As suggested above, bring a second reel with you just in case the braid or the reel breaks. And don' t forget to service your reel if it has been laid up for a long time. New grease and some oil can work wonders. Let us know who you do and what you catch. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted July 3, 2013 Super User Posted July 3, 2013 Continue to use it. I have two rigs - a baitcaster and a heavy spinning rig - that both have 3 year old, 30# test PP. I check the last 6 feet for abrasions and fraying, at the beginning of a days fishing. As long as it looks ok, I'll keep using it. Only one time had I decided to cut off about 3' from the spinning rig, due to, what I perceived, was fraying and I didn't want to take any chances. Using a fluoro leader though, the odds of the line actually breaking is minimal. Quote
The Bassman Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 On 7/2/2013 at 3:17 PM, shallow thinker said: I hate to be that guy.... but I had lost the 'big one' this winter when my braid failed. It was probably 2 year old braid. Old enough that it had lost most of its color. The failure was very strange. I hooked a very large snook that made 3 hard runs. I had to palm the spool of the spinning reel to keep the fish out of the bushes. The line, my knots and leader all held for the peak of the fight. Once I turned the fish for the 3rd time I took up some slack and the line parted. I got back my main line with no fraying or signs of wear. I never changed braid just because it was old. You either had a good batch.. which stayed on your reel for a long time or sometimes you get a bad spool which you throw away in just a couple of trips. I have to re-think that. From now on I'll use fresher line when fishing tournaments or targeting trophy fish. I found this on google as I was researching and thought it beneficial to resurrect this thread. I did an unscientific test today on some real light Fins Windtamer that I'd fished all winter. It had lost about a third of its breaking strength compared to the unused portion when I reversed and tested it. The breaks were never at the knot but in the mainline. I think we give braid a pass (unlike mono) because most guys are using a high enough test that such a degradation wouldn't be noticed. I spin fish with a lot of under 10lb. so definitely need to change my thinking. 1 Quote
wasabi_VA Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 I am using 10 year old PPro on several reels. I reversed it on a couple and it is like new. Quote
NittyGrittyBoy Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 60lb PowerPro, lasts a long time. Side note, way to resurect a 6yr old thread ? Quote
JT Bagwell Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 I have some braid from an old sponsor (they used to send me cases of it) that had been in my garage for over 12 years. I gave it away because I didn't need it and the people that I gave it to are using it without any issues at all. It was always in a protected environment and never opened. Quote
Glaucus Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 If your braid has been kept in a good environment it won't go bad imo Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted April 1, 2019 Super User Posted April 1, 2019 I had 10# power pro that was regularly used over 12 years and still held a fishnfool knot up to 13 pounds. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.