Oldest Mono You Have Used?

[N.Y. Yankee]

What is/was the oldest monofilament you used that was still usable? What mono degraded earlier than you expected. 

 

I have a fair amount that has been in storage for a few years, in Rubbermaid boxes in relatively temp controlled room. Doing some testing on it, it seems fine. Gonna try it this year and see.

[wasabi_VA]

I have a 5' loop of 10 lb. mono that has been holding up a substantial steer skull + horns in my garage since 1990. That's 30 years.

[WRB]

Stored out of sunlight and ambient temps it should last a very long time. If the line comes off the spool in coils it has taken a set and needs to be changed.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

I've got a spool of Big Game that is a few years old, and I'm still using it. 

[A-Jay]

This -

but at this point,

it's just backing . . .

A-Jay

 

[DitchPanda]

My dad just got rid of a bulk spool of 14lb stren that was finally brittle after probably 20 years.

[PourMyOwn]

I have several 15 year old bulk spools that I still use. Haven't had an issue.

[FishTank]

I have a bulk spool of Yozuri Hybrid that is about 12 years old.  I use it for backing but it still seems like it's good stuff. 

[gim]

About a year at the most. It’s dirt cheap so there’s no reason to risk having it fail.

[TimTheGearNerd]

Local tackle store still sells this. Maybe they shouldn’t ? I think I looked it up and it was from the 80s 

[Bankc]

I found a spool of 30 year old 6lb Stren mono in an old tackle box that I thought was empty.  Used it to spool my crappie rod a couple of years ago.  It worked great!  A lot better than the brand new fluorocarbon that I replaced it with (memory issues on a small spinning reel).  

[BrianMDTX]

14 hours ago, Tim Hu said:

Local tackle store still sells this. Maybe they shouldn’t ? I think I looked it up and it was from the 80s 

Wow. Looks like an ad from an issue of Field and Stream I had back in the 70s lol. 

[Maggiesmaster]

If you Store it in the dark under room temperature it should last forever. If it ‘spoils off a baitcasting reel, next time you’re on the lake, let it out behind the boat to remove the ‘set’. This always works for me. Change it often on your reels, though. Sunlight deteriorates it. 

[Backroad Angler]

I have a buddy that has a reel with monofiliament that has been on there for at least 15 years. I don't even think he's retied the hook on it for at least 5 years lol and still uses it frequently.

[Gary_Snyder]

I have some 13 year old Berkley Ironsilk....... it's susceptible to UV damage, and sure enough, it breaks in my hands. But If I peel off the first 20 feet of line on the outside of the spool, the line underneath tests good.

[soflabasser]

21 hours ago, Tim Hu said:

Local tackle store still sells this. Maybe they shouldn’t ? I think I looked it up and it was from the 80s 

That box design looks very old, what date does it say on the box? It would probably make a good addition for fishing tackle collection.

[TimTheGearNerd]

 

3 hours ago, soflabasser said:

That box design looks very old, what date does it say on the box?

I don’t think I can find a date. I actually used it on my spinning reel. Haven’t landed a fish yet lol. Not for lack of trying 

[soflabasser]

It appears to be very old Stren fishing line. It is amazing that a store was recently selling it. Would be a nice addition for someone that collects fishing tackle.

[ChrisD46]

Keeping mono in a light proof box indoors is a good idea - back in the day in Florida with just one rod & reel  I would use a spool of mono that had become dry with powder - like  residue from UV damage and still catch bass with it (lol !) ...  Today that line would definitely go in the line recycle bin .

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 1/4/2021 at 4:39 PM, N.Y. Yankee said:

What is/was the oldest monofilament you used that was still usable? What mono degraded earlier than you expected. 

 

I have a fair amount that has been in storage for a few years, in Rubbermaid boxes in relatively temp controlled room. Doing some testing on it, it seems fine. Gonna try it this year and see.

As long as its out of the sun and hasn't been exposed to high and low temps for years, it should be fine.  Tests a length of it for breaking strength if you want to be sure it hasn't been damaged.  

If the line coils DONT throw it out.  Soak it in a bucket of water overnight or for 24 hours, it should take most of the memory out of the line.  Spool it up after you soak it.  

[OnthePotomac]

I only use on one reel, but I have what is left on a BPS 20lb mono jumbo spool hanging on my line peg board over my bench, in its original box, which is now 20 years old.  Every year I hose it down with KVD and it is going strong.