Fishing line is the most critical link between the angler and the fish.
Therefore, you may want to learn how to take care of it properly. Let’s see how to do it.
Don’t store it under light
Heat and sunlight can be extremely dangerous for your line. Even if braid is known for resisting UV rays, that doesn’t mean you should store in out in the sun. Keep your lines in a cool and dark space: it will prolong their life and keep them as if they were new.
Do not rush knots
Don’t hurry to get a new lure tied on or the same lure retied and forget to wet the knot: it will cause friction and burning that can compromise the strength of the line. Always wet your line before cinching it to make it last longer.
Watch out for bird nests
Bird nests are extremely annoying, but they can happen, even to professionals. Try to prevent them to make your line last longer.
Don’t overuse it
Fishing line doesn’t last forever, even braid. No matter if you store it correctly, sooner or later you’ll need to change it. Braid doesn’t need to be changed as much as fluorocarbon and monofilament. However, the weather, heat and light can all have effects on the line. Depending on the use you make of it, you’ll have to change your line after a few years in order not to compromise your fishing performance.
Condition your line
This operation will keep your line healthy and provide many benefits to your fishing game. In the next paragraph, we’ll see how to do it.
How do you condition braided fishing line?
Using a line conditioner will prevent line memory and it’s useful even if you’ve not been fishing for a long time. Use a high-quality conditioner that you can buy online or in specialized shops: it’ll prevent corrosion, reduce backlashes, tangles and twists. The first thing to do is to spray the conditioner on the top of the reel before making a cast. After making a long cast, apply it to the bottom of the spool: this way both the bottom and the top of the spool will get a dose.
What is the shelf life of braided fishing line?
Unlike mono or fluoro, braided fishing line can last for years. When to replace it largely depends on how often you go fishing; it can be something in between 4 to 10 years. The advantage of braid over fluoro and mono is that these two do have a shelf life and will go bad even if you don’t use them and leave them in the original packaging.
Is braided fishing line UV resistant?
Braid is UV-resistant, making it perfect for long days in the sun. Braid is also very resistant in salty waters, meaning that you can count on it to last longer: a nice feature, that most anglers appreciate.