Braid life

[Striper9]

I’ve had a reel that I spooled new braid onto either last year or the year before. The reel hasn’t been used at all is the line still good on the reel?

[Jig Man]

I have some that has been on for two or three years and I haven’t even swapped ends yet.

[waymont]

Yes, and for another 3-4years.

[Bankc]

I had a reel with braid on it that I loaded up when braid first came out.  I remember wanting to get the kevlar braid, but couldn't afford it, so I got the Spiderwire made with Spectra.  Now, Spiderwire is made with Dyneema.  Same thing just different trade name coming from a different supplier.  It was probably close to 30 years old when I pulled it back out and started fishing with it again.  That old braid worked just fine, until I lost the rod to the bottom of the lake.  

 

Braid lasts just about forever.  It'll lose its color over time and get frayed and weakened with wear.  So it can wear out.  But it won't age noticeably if it just sits there, unused, and out of the sun.  

[casts_by_fly]

I like it better after being used for a season or two. It softens up a little more and gets very limp. 

[DaubsNU1]

I had some Fenwick IronThread on my reels for 10+ years...it never seemed to wear out. Did lose color.

 

Keep running what you got.

[WRB]

Spectra fibers does not break down from age, wear yes.

Tom

 

[The Baron]

I've got a spinning reel spooled with 4-5 yr. old 20# yellow braid.  Other than color fade, it's seems perfectly fine.  I'll likely only change it is I start having line twist or wind knot issues, or if I decide to change line weight.

[MickD]

I agree with those stating that braid can last many years, but also caution that some braids have a tendency to "loosen up" the weave and fray, as WRB stated, and when that is noticed I change out the line or reverse it on the reel.

 

But to specifically answer this question, yes it will be fine.

[12poundbass]

I’m almost exclusively a braid guy and I have braid on some reels that is several years old. Don’t worry about the age, just trim back the areas that are frayed.

[Ryanralston07]

Not sure this is the best to do, but after using my braid for a season, I pull it all off and spool it back on with the part closest to the reel going on the outside of the spool, and I usually notice it feels closer to a new spool or braid. I feel like this is like rotating tires on a car and helps me get more usage out of the same spool.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Braid lasts a long time, depending on the qualities it has.  Even the lighter wispy braid I like to use on my finesse FW gear lasts 2 years of heavy use.  Stiffer heavy braid like 832 lasts longer.  When braid starts to wear out it will start to fray and pill and look like old rope, that takes a long time of heavy use.  Ive got braid on reels thats at least 15 years old, but hasnt seen a ton of use and I wouldnt hesitate to use it in a situation where Im dealing with trophy fish.  As long as its not been exposed to sunlight for a long time and doesnt look like worm out dental floss then it should be fine. Once it gets really ropey, you just pull it off the spool and flip the braid around, instead of buying a new spool.

[dodgeguy]

and if you get vicious no fade braid it doesnt loose color

[Dye99]

Ive got 30lb braid on my frog rod from 2017....At this point Im just trying to see how long it goes. I throw into the worst stuff....Hoping for ten years.

[Bandersnatch]

I’ve been frogging on the same spool of power pro maxcuatro 50lb for 5 years 

[MN Fisher]

50# 832 on my pitching rig - 5 years old

40# 832 on my frog rig - 4 years old

 

No plans on replacing either in the near future.