Should I throw out this old mono?

[Pkfish49]

Google is usually my friend, but I can't get a clear answer, so I figured it would be best to ask the experts here:

 

I always overbuy line and went on fewer fishing trips this season than I usually do, so I have a lot of this:

 

Berkley Triline XT 10 LB Mono 300 YD clear.  It is still in the original packaging.  I bought some in March, and probably have some from 2019 as well.  I don't see any dates on the packaging, so unfortunately, I can't tell when I bought the individual spools.

 

If it makes a difference, the stuff is kept away from light.

 

Is it OK to use next season, or will it have degraded in some way that would make it more appropriate for me to throw it out and buy new line, as the season approaches?

[MN Fisher]

Long as it was kept in 'controlled' conditions (inside, no major temp variance and out of direct sunlight) it should be fine. It's when it's exposed to the elements that it starts degrading.

[Mbirdsley]

Should be good to go.  The real thing that kills line is sunlight.  It’s why the big lake fisherman who keep there rods in rod holders on the boat all summer replace their  line every year.

 

only line that scares me of being old is flouro.  Granted it could have been bad to begin with.  But, if I’ve had a spool I’ve been using for leaders for 2-3 years after the I throw it out 

[ChrisD46]

3 hours ago, Mbirdsley said:

Should be good to go.  The real thing that kills line is sunlight.  It’s why the big lake fisherman who keep there rods in rod holders on the boat all summer replace their  line every year.

 

only line that scares me of being old is flouro.  Granted it could have been bad to begin with.  But, if I’ve had a spool I’ve been using for leaders for 2-3 years after the I throw it out 

Actually FC line I believe is one of the typical longer lasting lines as long as storage conditions are pretty decent . Mono tens to degrade first followed by co-poly ,FC then braid .

[Jig Man]

I buy Pline for my ultra lites in 3000 yd spools.  It lasts for years.  

[PourMyOwn]

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

I buy Pline for my ultra lites in 3000 yd spools.  It lasts for years.  

Same here.

 

I have spools of Silver Thread that are still good 15 years later.

[GTN-NY]

I just got started fishing again after taking almost 20 yrs off. I kept mine line in a wooden locker in the garage. There are over 3/4 filled 3000yd spools Trilene XT 12lb, XL 8lb, Big Game 12,15,20lb. I’m afraid to use it 

[roadwarrior]

I would not use it.

 

 

[OnthePotomac]

I have a jumbo spool of BPS Excel 20lb mono on my peg board in the basement now 20 years old and I still spool it on a reel each year.  Works just fine.  Seems to be no end to that jumbo spool, but then I only use 75 yds a year.  It is my chatter bait line.

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

I only use 75 yds a year.  

Hmm...

 

It's a good thing you have a jumbo spool.

 

[WRB]

Test the line before using it.

Tom

[Boomstick]

If it was kept inside, not too hot or too cold, then I would keep mono from 2019 until 2021 and use it early in the year as soon as everything thaws but when it risks exposure to cold, so I'm likely to be replacing line more often than usual

 

Typically I buy new mono every season and if I have any leftover from the prior season, that's fine too

[NYWayfarer]

Berkley Big Game is cheap at $7 a spool of 1700 yards of line at Walmart. I buy a few spools of 8, 10 and 12# every year. They last from April to November with frequent line changes.

[GTN-NY]

2 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Berkley Big Game is cheap at $7 a spool of 1700 yards of line at Walmart. I buy a few spools of 8, 10 and 12# every year. They last from April to November with frequent line changes.

Not to nit pick but they’re 600yds

[MN Fisher]

30 minutes ago, GTN said:

Not to nit pick but they’re 600yds

$10 each from TW

8# - 1700yd

10# - 1500yd

12# - 1175yd

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Trilene_Big_Game_Line_Green/descpage-BTBG.html

[FishTank]

Not a huge fan of XT but it should be fine.  I say fish it. 

[Pkfish49]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

Not a huge fan of XT but it should be fine.  I say fish it. 

Ty - What other brands of Mono do you prefer and why?

[GTN-NY]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

$10 each from TW

8# - 1700yd

10# - 1500yd

12# - 1175yd

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Trilene_Big_Game_Line_Green/descpage-BTBG.html

Hmm... I stand corrected. Sorry

[FishTank]

42 minutes ago, Pkfish49 said:

Ty - What other brands of Mono do you prefer and why?

XT is decent line but it is pretty stiff for most of the stuff I use.  I have used Big Game in the past as well and liked it better but both lines seem to have a short life once used.  For mono I have always like XL but my new favorite is Sunline Defier.  It's overpriced but it is fantastic line.  It holds up well and after a year of use, it has not degraded.  Usually with most mono, I am changing it frequently.   My main application for it is crankbaits and some topwater.  For everything else, I use FC. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, FishTank said:

XT is decent line but it is pretty stiff for most of the stuff I use.  I have used Big Game in the past as well and liked it better but both lines seem to have a short life once used.  For mono I have always like XL but my new favorite is Sunline Defier.  It's overpriced but it is fantastic line.  It holds up well and after a year of use, it has not degraded.  Usually with most mono, I am changing it frequently.   My main application for it is crankbaits and some topwater.  For everything else, I use FC. 

I use to use XL and Stren original. Now-days for mono, I'm using Sufix Elite. I'm liking it better than either of the others and it's the same price as XL or XT.

[FishTank]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

I use to use XL and Stren original. Now-days for mono, I'm using Sufix Elite. I'm liking it better than either of the others and it's the same price as XL or XT.

I kind of spaced Elite, haven't used it in a long time.  It is good line and I agree it is better than XL overall.   It tended to last longer and also seemed to stay smoother longer.   Stren is ok but to me it is too stretchy.   It is all the guy I fish with uses and he swears by it.  

 

XL for me though> I always knew what I was getting and I understood its characteristics.  I also like it best for crankbaits, which is the only thing I used it for.  

[Hammer 4]

I've used just about every mono line out there. For an inexpensive mono line, Sufix Elite I find is a great value. Very low to no memory, I tend to use the camo, due to stained waters I fish.

 

Also, I have 10 to 17 lb and even the 17 lb elite is very soft.

[dopey]

ALL Pure Fishing lines have a date code on them....you may need a magnifying glass but it's there on the spool.
 

The code is read like this example
C-12-10-1   

 

Year starts with January A - so in your case C = March

12 -  is the day it was made

10 - Is the year 

1 - could be 1, 2, or 3  Means what shift it was made on