Heat and mono

[Guest avid]

What effect does heat have on monofiliament line?

thanks

[Hookemdown.]

I don't know about heat, but the cold tears my mono apart.

[skillet]

 If you are talking normal Florida day time temps. I don't think there is any effect and no offense Hookemdown but I've fished some pretty cold temps. with no effect. I was under the impression that the sun's UV rays made it break down faster...

                                        As Ever,

                                         skillet

[Cory20]

Avid,

It affects the line negatively.

[bassnleo]

I'm with skillet, I've never had the cold affect mono. I use it all winter in temps at or below freezing for steelhead. I even go as small as 4 or 6 lb test, never had an issue with mono performing in the cold.

Back to avid's ? I to have read that UV rays will damage mono and weaken it. I don't know if it is actually the heat or the exposure to the rays but I'm gonna go with exposure.

[jwo1124]

I have henver had a real problem with mono ever. The only thing you shouldn't do is store your rods and reels in your car or SUV, especially during summer. The heat of the car and sunlight coming through the windows will weaken the line and cause lots of memory. I liked to keep some rods in my truck so if I had some time in between classes or some off time before work I could run to the pond real quick for an hour or two.

Its best to store your rods and reels in a tempid dark place when they are not in use. On top of that, try to re spool more often. I have to make a point of doing this more. I have never really had line problems due to this, using the same mono for a year, but just to be safe every few months I'll re spool. Plus it keeps a nice capacity on your reel which helps in casting.

[Sam]

Hey Avid,

Good question.  I wish I had the answer but I am sure some the scientists on this site and the guys who use mono a lot will reply.

As for me, I have seen the mono curl when you do not wet the line properly when tying a palamar knot.

Otherwise, I have not personally had any problems with any high temperatures on my lines.

What have you experienced?

[Jeff H]

No problems for me with Trilene XT. Never, not a one. No matter how hot it has gotten, I've never had problems with mono.

it IS a good question.  I'd like to know too.  Just because I've been fortunate to have no problems with my line doesn't mean there may not be any out there.  I typically don't get much for temps over 90 deg where I fish, but on rare occasion might see 100.  I don't recall ever being on the water when it has been 100 deg.

[Guest avid]

Reason for question.

I have several spools of line stored in the garage.

one was a spool of 17 lb test xl.

I wanted 17 lb test for prop baits and this was all I had.

the temp in the garage was so hot over the summer that the plastic on the spool actually had some melted spots.

the line appeared perfect.  I took the chance and used it with no apparant ill effect.

So it was only heat not UV's that were a factor, but it appears that the line was undamaged and more than that, did not seem affected in any way at all.

Stange, but unless someone gives shows me otherwise, i'm stickin to it.

[links_man2]

Based on my experience and what I have read in the past, what ruins mono is:

• UV Light. Example: back window of your car.

• Florescent Light. Example: open bulk spools in stores.

• Heat. Example: car trunk or rafters in the garage.

• Age. Example: Beware spools of line on sale.

While line that has been exposed to the above may seem ok, you may experience breakage when you want it the least.  Why try and save a couple of bucks on line when your investment in the trip/fish are worth much more than that.

[Jeff H]

I found a spool of 14lb XT that was in my garage for 10 years.  The climate here swings to extremes on both ends.  That line has endured 100+ deg days and -30 deg days over the years.  I used it and never had a problem with it this last summer.

I've never had all these problems with mono some people claim to have.  I don't care how old it is, I'll use it as long as it's XT and hasn't been sitting in direct sunlight.