Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stu on September 10, 2010, 08:49:20 AM

Title: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Stu on September 10, 2010, 08:49:20 AM
I just like to know what is the life expectancy of fishing lines?
How often do you change them?
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Matt on September 10, 2010, 09:59:52 AM
About once a season (ie: salmon season, steelhead season, so twice a year).  With Maxima it was about every 5 trips because Maxima Ultragreen gets brittle and clouded.  Trilene Big Game is a better line and much longer lasting.  Trilene XL (extra limp) is very prone to abrasions and gets ruined too quickly for use in rivers.  It really depends on how much you use your line and in what conditions.  If you're just storing your reel, maybe lines lasts a couple years (???), fishing rivers with sharper rocks, it doesn't last as  long obviously.  Sunlight can also damage line, and I don't think salt water does certain lines any good either (ie: Maxima UG).  Best to look and the line, see how it feels (should feel glossy and smooth, not frayed or brittle).
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: DavidD on September 10, 2010, 10:17:34 AM
Every two years as I only get out about 15-20 times per year.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: leaseman on September 10, 2010, 10:32:54 AM
Sturgeon reels get changed every two years, trimmed after the first year.....(x5)

Baitcasters get trimmed first year, changed second year or heavy use like this year, at seasons end.....(x6 reels)

Spincasting gets changed yearly or seasonally depending on amount of use.....(x10ish)

Also learned the value of cheap vs. expensive..... ;) ;D
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: milo on September 10, 2010, 10:37:23 AM
When the top half of the line starts showing signs of (ab)use (usually halfway through the season), I reverse the line by transferring it directly from one reel to another, so that now the unused (bottom) portion of the line is on the top of the receiving reel's spool. That way, I can get a whole season out of the same line. There is some slight coiling in the beginning that disappears after a few casts.

With Power Pro or Fireline, I reverse them yearly, so each line will last me two seasons. No coiling with those.
 ;D
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Banny on September 10, 2010, 10:44:00 AM
I am relatively new to the gear game, but I found my line on both of my rods to be shot after a combined salmon and steelhead season.  So it looks like I will be replacing the line on each of them once or twice a year.

J
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: carpenter on September 10, 2010, 10:52:19 AM
Maxima ultra green for my bait caster , spinning rod and my mooching reel all once a season.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: cutthroat22 on September 10, 2010, 10:55:09 AM
Milo...thanx for a great idea!
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: milo on September 10, 2010, 01:35:21 PM
Milo...thanx for a great idea!

You are most welcome. :)

Incidentally, those on a budget who only have one reel can do the same, but they have to use two auxiliary spools (I hope you all keep a couple of those handy) and they have to perform the transfer process three times: once to the first auxiliary spool, then to the second auxiliary spool, and finally back to their reel so that the unused half of the line is now on the top.

Cheers,

Milo (likes to get a lot of mileage out of his lines)

Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: BigFisher on September 10, 2010, 02:28:18 PM
Ill respool just before steelhead, and come salmon season I usually still have a full reel of line, so Ill determine if I just need to cut the main back to some fresh line, or respool. Once or Twice a year for me.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Stu on September 10, 2010, 05:13:17 PM
Wow, reading all this I should be changing my yesterday.  :o
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Geff_t on September 10, 2010, 05:50:38 PM
I respool twice a year. Once before salmon season and then again before steelhead season but I fish alot, at least 4-5 times a week.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: blaydRnr on September 10, 2010, 09:14:55 PM
once or twice a year... depending on the condition of the line.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: gman on September 10, 2010, 09:20:53 PM
Once a year seems to work for me.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: HOOK on September 11, 2010, 01:02:24 AM
I change my pin once or twice a season. Whoever does it dislikes me because it has to be wound on by hand and it takes 200-220 yards of mono on top of the piles of backing thats already on it  ;D LOL

my levelwinds have all been downgraded to BBing reels and havent beens changed in about 5 yrs  :o but hey how often does 80lb braid really break down  ;)
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: lovetofish on September 11, 2010, 09:22:00 AM
Incidentally, those on a budget who only have one reel can do the same, but they have to use two auxiliary spools (I hope you all keep a couple of those handy) and they have to perform the transfer process three times: once to the first auxiliary spool, then to the second auxiliary spool, and finally back to their reel so that the unused half of the line is now on the top.
Cheers,
Milo (likes to get a lot of mileage out of his lines)

Or if you are really cheap like me, Tie it to a tree and walk away until it is all off the reel. Then reattach from the end at the tree and reel it back up.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: mr.p on September 11, 2010, 03:28:23 PM
I fish approximately 5 days a week.  I change my line at least once a month, usually more.  And after each day of fishing I usually strip off the top 10 yards.  I'd rather spend the money on line than lose a trophy.

I stopped usuing Maxima years ago.  I just don't see what all the hype is about.  I find Berkley Big Game much better,.....and much cheaper.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: jeff on September 11, 2010, 04:15:52 PM
I am with you on the big game Mr P it is awsome I started using it last year and will never be going back to maxima again.
Title: Re: How often do you change fisning line?
Post by: Danube Boy on September 11, 2010, 04:34:13 PM
So far very happy with Pline Cx Premium. It's more of a spinning reel line, but performs great on the levelwind; softer than UG and Big Game (much less memory) and doesn't dry out or lose color as quickly.

And to stay on topic  ;D, I usually change the line before the salmon season and then before the steelhead season. But as mr.p mentioned, I also remove 5-10yds once a week or so, depending on how beat up it looks.