Just wondering how long you lads keep the same line on your spools?

I have some line on my spools that is 12 months old but has not seen much action and this seems too good to replace. I have line on another set of reels spooled up 2 years ago and they haven't been out of their boxes once.

In reply to Post #1
Strip it back if it's damaged or stretched. Replace it when the level gets too low for casting. I've always done this. It's also what Mr penning recommends.

Fluro and mono, once a year minimal. Even if I had barely used it. Often twice a year. Braid, once it's looking rough, I've used the same whiplash for over 3 years.

In reply to Post #1
Most of my fishing is short range (under 50 yards) so last time I cast and walked the line out in a local rugby field and reattached it so that it was reversed.

When you change it is more difficult to predict. Depends on how many times you go, casting and playing strain and exposure of line to sunlight. Test it regularly by giving a good pull on a heavy object and you shouldn't be caught out.

I have just taken off some line from my reels that I put on in 2019. It has been used at least 20 to 30 days a year but there was nothing wrong with it at all but I needed a different type of line on those reels. To be fair I usually change after a couple of years but that's usually due to damage rather than problems with the deterioration of the line.

In reply to Post #1
I usually change my line twice a year.

The thing that damages line is the constant stretching from fish playing and casting, more so than sunlight, but nicks and scratches from gravel, weed or underwater branches that have fallen and drifted are contributing factors.
You should check your line regularly especially the last few metres near your lead.

In reply to Post #1
For the £20 it cost to redo my line (esp synchro xt) it gets done once a year minimum. Not worth the risk in my opinion. It's one of the most important pieces of equipment, as it links us to that potential fish of a life time. And if it's damaged could also leave any fish you are playing, trailing a fair amount of it, if it snaps.

In reply to Post #1
If you have 12 month old line and you haven't used it much, as long as it's been stored ok I can't see the point in changing it myself.

Generally once a year on all my carp rods. I'm quite happy not to do all my others every year which might only see a dozen sessions, and stored in a dark garage the rest of the year. I can't deal with any line twist at all, so will always replace it if it's bad.

In reply to Post #8
Exactly right
some people have more money than sense ?? Fluorocarbon lines are unaffected by sunlight or water etc and unless damaged last literally for years and years !!

mono normally is stored as good when its on your reels in the dark as in your rod holdall or tackle bag etc
and often BETTER than on a shelf in a shop they think nothing of buying a spool of line that may have been sitting in a warehouse box and then on a shops shelf for years too!

Unless it damaged in that case you can simply reverse it
there is no need to change it IMO same as these nut cases that reproof their shelters every year LMFAO !

But if it makes you happy changing it every year your tackle dealers are very pleased

In reply to Post #1
I'm have been using the braid on my spod rod for almost 30 years. Got it when I went on holiday to America in 95. Considering the abuse it's had, it's still fine other than has got lighter with age. Not planning to change it any time soon.

I'm well chuffed if i go 6 months without respooling due to hooking some boats. In my fishing that's a big result

(and i refuse to use backleads)

In reply to Post #10
Spot on mate.

How many years have line been sitting around in warehouses and then tackle shops before actually being used?

In reply to Post #10
Yep

My line can stay on as long as it wants. Unless something drastic happens like an unexpected gravy spill, it should be fine

I only change it when I have lost that much of it, it becomes a struggle to hit my mark especially when you can hear it coming off the lip of the spool. What's on my reels now have probably done well over 5 years, I bought my reels in 2017 looking at my invoice and I have never replaced the line since I first put line on them. And I usually do 3 days and nights a week throughout the year unless I have something on and have to stop for a few months.

I've got Technium on two sets of reels that is probably four or five years old and I have fished plenty. Back when I used fluro I just found it to get better and better with age. Definitely had that on spools for six years+

In reply to Post #10
Exactly Gerry....Mono will last for ages if treated well. Tackle manufacturers will have you changing your line in the time it has taken you to spool up in the fist place...

I know there is a big push at the momement by the likes of the Angling Trust to get you to recycle with many tackleshops giving you this option which is all good
But I bet there is still far more going into landfill than ever really needs to.

I've only used xline for the last 15 or so years. I'm on
My 2nd ever lot. Only changed to new a few years back
As I was going on a week's trip.

A lot depends on the environment you fish in and how often you go I guess.

I only change it if it's still twisted badly after taking the twist out or if it's badly chaffed after taking a few rod lengths off .

My current line has been on 6 years .

I also reverse it if I'm feeling tight 🫢

In reply to Post #2
Pretty much sums it up well.
Depends on how many times I go, but I respool a fresh 120 yards quite alot. Nothing worse than horrible coily mono and you can only straighten it out so many times.

i absolutely hate respooling with a passion so it stays on for as long as possible

Thanks for some interesting responses. It seems most are holding on to their line as long as possible before changing. I don't feel so bad now having read some of this

In reply to Post #21
Same. I tend to cut a few metres off every now and then to remove the fraggled bits. I only respool when the i start to go too far below the lip of my spool.

In reply to Post #23
I'll wind last years line onto another spool so reversing it and using the end that hasn't seen light or use since it went on.