Shelf Life Of Lines

[gunflint]

Does anyone know of a study that determines the shelf life of the different lines? Mono, fluorocarbon, copolymer, the super lines, etc. Are they good for years or do they lose something when exposed to light? I'm not talking about line on the reel, that I change at least seasonally. I'm thinking more on terms of buy large spools.

[sparcebag]

light does damage them monos & fluros.Maybe contact manufactures of line ask them,

[rockman]

sparcebag, are you referring to ambient room light, or direct sunlight? It would be silly to assume that someone would store a spool of line in direct sunlight, but you never know.I think I heard, or read, that direct sunlight can weaken line over time. I have spools of mono line that are over 10 years old and are still in good shape.Those spools are stored in a dark storage room.I bought a large spool of mono line off of HSOList awhile back that is at least 20 years old. The line was stored in a dark storeroom by the seller, and is still in good shape.

[slipperybob]

Moisture can also degrade fishing line. I had some Trilene in the dank basement and it went bad after two years. So I know better now. I'm still using some Silverthread Xcalibur over ten years now I think, and it seems to perform about 90% of original line strength.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Heat is also a killer of mono line. Not sure about the others.

As the line is your only connection to the fish, I like to buy just what I need for the season. That way I have no surprises.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Keep any lineyou have in a cool, Dry, Dark, place!!!! I ahve had lines last a long time that way!

[opsirc]

Had the same question a few years back, so I called berkley and asked them about it. The respond I got was to keep your spare spools in a cool dark place. Both sunlight and heat will destroy the line.

O

[caseymcq]

I know you were talking about line on the larger spools but to save some coin on the expensives lines I use I "rotate" line on the spool to keep it a few years more than I might normally have. I have noticed even the Fireline and Power Pro I use start to "fade" after a few years of use. I take them off the spool and put them back on "backwards" to get the line that looks fresh on top and then use them for a few more years before I totally replace them. I have never had a problem with the "rotated" line breaking when it shouldn't or losing any sensitivity.

[sparcebag]

Sun light, and in the boat its exposed unless its lockered ( on a rod&reel) I have line 15-20 yrs old 5000 yd spool 15 lb test yet like new stored inside a gun cab, inside.