BDM Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 Hi folks, was digging through my closet and found 4 spools of mono, both Stren and Trilene. I had bought and forgot about them 4 years ago! Would this line still be good to go? I am going to buy some KVD line conditioner today anyway, might that help? Thanks for any opinions in advance, i will have to be away from my computer the rest of the day, unfortunately not fishing! Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted March 19, 2011 Super User Posted March 19, 2011 I have used mono that was kept in the basement for over 10 years. The only way to tell is to tie some on and try to break it. Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 19, 2011 Super User Posted March 19, 2011 Typical shelf life of monofilament is 2-3 years. Beyond that it becomes brittle and loses it's elasticity and break strength. Quote
Super User KU_Bassmaster. Posted March 19, 2011 Super User Posted March 19, 2011 In my opinion .... its relatively cheap (especially for mono), why risk it? Quote
MNGeorge Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 Typical shelf life of monofilament is 2-3 years. Beyond that it becomes brittle and loses it's elasticity and break strength. I beg to differ...I've got mono that is well over 10 years old that is still good to go. So long as it hasn't been exposed to high heat, prolonged direct sunlight or chemical fumes, it will last indefinitely. I have one rig with mono on it that I change the line on every Spring...using the old mono hasn't been a problem yet. Why do I have mono that is so old? I used to do some work for Berkley and we got bulk spools for cheap. Quote
BDM Posted March 19, 2011 Author Posted March 19, 2011 Much thanks to all who replied, this forum is a great resource! Quote
bass or bass ? Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 According to Berkeley, ultra violet light is the enemy of mono. When stored away from uv light it should last a long time. However, as stated in an earlier post, it is inexpensive, so why chance it? I replace mine every spring. Quote
BassThumb Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Typical shelf life of monofilament is 2-3 years. Beyond that it becomes brittle and loses it's elasticity and break strength. I beg to differ...I've got mono that is well over 10 years old that is still good to go. So long as it hasn't been exposed to high heat, prolonged direct sunlight or chemical fumes, it will last indefinitely. I have one rig with mono on it that I change the line on every Spring...using the old mono hasn't been a problem yet. Why do I have mono that is so old? I used to do some work for Berkley and we got bulk spools for cheap. I agree. I have bulk spools of Trilene XT in storage and they are about 12 years old. I mainly use them for backing, but I was tossing the 10# last fall on a jerkbait setup, and the line performed very well. It even held up to a 10 lb pike that hit right next to the boat. Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 20, 2011 Super User Posted March 20, 2011 Not only is that the answer I received from Berkley when I asked earlier this year, it's the same I got from 3 other sources. I'm glad you had above average experiences, however, I'll go with what experiences I've had, as well as what those who know tell me. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted March 20, 2011 Super User Posted March 20, 2011 Mono is cheap , use the old stuff for backing and buy new. Quote
zelmo Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 I found a spool of mono in an old tackle box that is over 40 years old. It is fine. I use it and other spools that are 25 years old for backing. Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 20, 2011 Super User Posted March 20, 2011 I found a spool of mono in an old tackle box that is over 40 years old. It is fine. I use it and other spools that are 25 years old for backing. If it's fine, why're you using it just for backing? I mean, if its in perfect working condition, why not use it as mainline? It's fine, isn't it? You're not going to worry about sticking a fish with your favourite jerkbait and leaving that jerkbait in the fish, and the fish eventually dying because your forty year old mono doesn't have knot strength anymore, right? Because the line's fine, right? Quote
johnD. Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Keep it in a dresser draw or something similar..I'm using a spool of big game I know it was bought in 2002..Its just as good as the new spools I have.Somebody said why risk it ? I say why throw it away, if there's nothing wrong with it ? Quote
zelmo Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 I found a spool of mono in an old tackle box that is over 40 years old. It is fine. I use it and other spools that are 25 years old for backing. If it's fine, why're you using it just for backing? I mean, if its in perfect working condition, why not use it as mainline? It's fine, isn't it? You're not going to worry about sticking a fish with your favourite jerkbait and leaving that jerkbait in the fish, and the fish eventually dying because your forty year old mono doesn't have knot strength anymore, right? Because the line's fine, right? No, because I use braid. The mono is for backing. Quote
ROCbass Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Not only is that the answer I received from Berkley when I asked earlier this year, it's the same I got from 3 other sources. I'm glad you had above average experiences, however, I'll go with what experiences I've had, as well as what those who know tell me. Of course a fishing line company is going to tell you you need to buy more fishing line. : Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 21, 2011 Super User Posted March 21, 2011 Not only is that the answer I received from Berkley when I asked earlier this year, it's the same I got from 3 other sources. I'm glad you had above average experiences, however, I'll go with what experiences I've had, as well as what those who know tell me. Of course a fishing line company is going to tell you you need to buy more fishing line. : Anything can be taken out of context, did you read the second part of that sentence? Not only was in reference to the fact that "Hey look the line company telling me I need to buy line" would be a standard answer; it's the second part that's more important. Three other sources, indicating sources other than line companies. Feel free to pull out of context anything you'd like... Quote
ROCbass Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Not only is that the answer I received from Berkley when I asked earlier this year, it's the same I got from 3 other sources. I'm glad you had above average experiences, however, I'll go with what experiences I've had, as well as what those who know tell me. Of course a fishing line company is going to tell you you need to buy more fishing line. : Anything can be taken out of context, did you read the second part of that sentence? Not only was in reference to the fact that "Hey look the line company telling me I need to buy line" would be a standard answer; it's the second part that's more important. Three other sources, indicating sources other than line companies. Feel free to pull out of context anything you'd like... Thanks for the reading comprehension lesson. I'm not sure why you're getting all defensive over a joking remark about fishing line though. Quote
Rangerjoe Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 If keep in a cool and dark location Mono should last indefinitly. Quote
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