How often should a weekend angler change out line?

[snake95]

I'm a weekend/recreational angler, and primarily fishing small water and catching small bass.  

 

I feel like my mono (mostly Trilene XL but I use several others) degrades by a detectable amount over a period of say 6-8 months of on and off fishing: memory becomes more noticeable, and I seem to get more frequent abrasion and breaks.

 

I also use braid a lot on spinning gear, and occasionally spool up with Red label or Yo Zuri Hybrid.

 

About how much life should I expect out of my lines fishing with this low level of intensity?  

 

How can you tell you've maxed it out, aside from the memory and kinks?  

 

Is this why line removers are so popular with tournament guys?

 

 

The recent article posted by Mark Davis got me thinking abut this...

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/line-choices-mark-davis.html

 

Thanks guys.

[BuzzHudson19c]

I can only speak for my own habits.

 

Everything I have mono on gets a fresh spool at the beginning of the season and then replaced if I have problems or lose too much line.

 

Braid lasts. One of my bait casters has had 30lb power pro on it for 2 seasons. I use mono leaders on it.

 

If you aren't using them a lot I would suggest braid.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are lots of variables. I think what you're doing by being observant and changing as indicated is the best course. 

[snake95]

Just now, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I think what you're doing by being observant and changing as indicated is the best course. 

Thanks, DVT, I am guessing that the tell-tale signs of degradation are memory and evidence of fraying?  I feel like my degrading mono also feels somewhat brittle but maybe that's all in my head.  

 

Interested in what you or others would describe as characteristic signs of degradation (the ones that occur before break-offs!) 

[WRB]

A professional angler knows how important line is, it can be the difference between earning a check. Being a big bass angler line is critical it's the link between the bass and me, line failure could be loosing a bass of a lifetime. In both cases what price do you put on on not changing your line?

I check my line and knots continuously for any defects and retie or replace my line or retie knots if I detect a defect like a kink, shinny flat spot, abrasion and impact strength.

How often depends on defects and usage.

Tom

[JustJames]

I use braid and copolymer/hybrid line. I change when my line get too low or when bomb cast and the spool get down to my braid backing. If I feel a lot of kink, I will refresh the line by move the end to the top and spray with some KVD line conditioner.

[snake95]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

A professional angler knows how important line is, it can be the difference between earning a check. Being a big bass angler line is critical it's the link between the bass and me, line failure could be loosing a bass of a lifetime. In both cases what price do you put on on not changing your line?

Thanks WRB.  I feel the same way even as a relatively small-time angler: I don't mind spending the time and money on replacing my line as needed, because I occasionally get a decent bass and losing one is just as painful.  

 

Thankfully, I've only lost two worth remembering so far over the past few years to line failures, once when I "tried out" Vanish, once when I was beaten fair and square by a bass that accepted my light line challenge, took advantage of my inadequate drag settings, and buried herself in a pile of rip rap.