Line replacement

[neilm]

Hey All,
I'm a recent convert to using braid for SPs and light beach work and I love the stuff for the ability to feel everything happening at the other end, but I don't know how long before I should respool with new line.
I generally replace my mono line on about a yearly basis, and I wonder how frequently you guys replace braid?
Any help/guidance appreciated.
Thanks!
Neil.

[iain]

Excellent question Neil. Another braid convert too!

I have my big overhead reel spooled with braid that's three years old and I think it's time to replace it but then again there is no noticable drop in line strength. That being said, I'd hate to lose the fish of a lifetime because I'm too much of a tightarse to respool $100 worth of line.

[pogo]

I thought the stuff was basically indestructible apart from wear and tear.

Correct me if I'm wrong but mono gives up the ghost over time cause UV light causes it to degrade. Braid or GSP doesnt do this

GSP wears out from use but doesnt deterioate, if the line is looking worn jsut cut out the first 30 odd metres which will be the section that has had the most use and keep on keeping on, if the spool starts to get low, either top shot it or despool and put some backing on and then respool.

Regards Pogo

[Target]

I have been using the same braid on some reels for a few years now, it doesnt seem to be as much deterioration as mono does, but the last 30 or so metres does wear out/fray over time. I try and get my line before theres too much wear, and flip it over - ie reverse the line on the spool. This requires winding the line onto another reel, then onto another reel, then back onto the original reel - sounds like a lot of work, but I keep spare line spools and put a shaft throught the spool, use the electric drill and it can be done in a few minutes. your previously worn line ends up at the beggining of the spool - the down side is that if you have a big fish run, your worn line does get under load when you have that 100m of line out - doesnt ever happen for me so no probs :D Get around this by not waiting too long before reversing the line.
BTW, fireline doesnt seem to last anywhere as long as braid.

Adrian

[JOCOOL]

I'm with Adrian. I use the same trick he does. And I agree that Fireline doesn't last like true braid. I have 2 reels with Fireline that I have used fairly often over the last 3 years, and they are all on their third batch of Fireline. On 2 of them I swapped to Finn S, and it has been going strong. No noticable wear so far.

[leelee]

I have been using braid on most of my gear for ages. You replace it when it either your spool capacity is low and your casting distance is noticably reduced from the lack of braid on your spool which causes extra friction thus a much shorter cast, or when you notice that the braid starts to snap quite easily. Snapping is manly caused from the likes of fuel, thinners, wd-40 etc leaching thier way through the braid.

I use the same trick as mentioned with reversing.

Also please remeber that fireline, although classed as a braid is fused. When it fuzzes its still fine to use because thats what it does. It is not a true braid in the sense.

Cheers

Lee

[disco stu]

I got 5 yrs out of a spool of fireline once, although it was pretty bad at the end of it.

[neilm]

Thanks heaps for the advice guys, I like the "reversing the line" trick, sounds like a plan. Better get a couple more reels...:D
Cheers,
Neil