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When you first started your journey as an angler, you probably decided to stock up on a whole lot of gear, especially tackle, things like lures, hooks, and fishing line. Sure, it’s great to have things like fishing line stored and ready to go. That said, how long does fishing line last in storage?
Well, this all depends on the type of fishing line: lower quality fishing line, such as monofilament line, may only last for 1 to 3 years during storage, whereas the higher quality types of fishing line may last for up to 10 years when stored properly.
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How Long Does Each Type of Line Last In Storage?
Yes, how long your stored fishing line is going to last will depend on the exact type of line that it is. Different types of fishing lines have varying shelf lives.
Let’s take a look at the shelf life of the 3 main types of fishing line, braided, fluorocarbon, and monofilament fishing line.
1. Braided
Braided fishing line is going to last longer than any other kind of fishing line out there.
Yes, braided line is usually always the most expensive kind of fishing line out there, and for a good reason.
It tends to be tougher than other fishing lines, it can handle more weight, and it’s just really durable too.
When stored properly, you can expect braided fishing line to last anywhere from 8 to 12 years with ease. It has the longest shelf life out of all types of fishing line.
2. Fluorocarbon
Next on the list is fluorocarbon fishing line, and in terms of shelf life, it sits right in the middle between braided line and monofilament line.
Fluorocarbon line tends to be great because it does not stretch, it has low visibility, and it’s quite resistant to abrasion as well.
In terms of the shelf life, if properly stored, you can expect fluorocarbon line to last for 6 to 8 years.
3. Monofilament
The cheapest type of fishing line out there is monofilament fishing line. Yes, this kind of fishing line is great for sensitivity and it can be decently durable too.
However, it does have issues with UV light and memory, which means that it usually will not last as long as either braided or fluorocarbon fishing line.
In terms of the shelf life, when properly stored, expect monofilament fishing line to last about 1 to 2 years, maybe 2.5 or 3 years at the most, if you are lucky.
Does Brand Impact Line Shelf Life?
Realistically, how long your fishing line lasts is going to depend on the type of line as well as the quality.
However, that said, as is often the case with anything you might purchase, the price is going to make a difference.
Generally speaking, you get what you pay for, and the more money you are willing to invest, the better of a product you will get.
So, yeah, although it shouldn’t the brand of fishing line you get will determine how good it is, and yes, this includes the shelf life.
Here are some of the best fishing line brands to consider when aiming to purchase the best line with the longest shelf life.
- Berkley
- Stren
- KastKing
- PowerPro
- South Bend
- Piscifun
- American Fishing Wire
How Do You Store Fishing Line?
How long your fishing line is going to last in storage does of course depend on the type of fishing line, as well as the brand to a certain extent as well.
However, how you store the fishing line is also going to make a difference in terms of shelf life.
Here are some tips on how to properly store your fishing line for the longest shelf life, so it’s still in good condition when you finally go to use it;
UV Light
First and foremost, fishing line will degrade rather quickly when exposed to lots of UV light, or in other words, sunlight.
Therefore, to keep it from degrading quickly, always keep it in a dark place with minimal light. A dark cupboard or storage box will work fine.
Moisture
Another thing to keep in mind is that fishing line may also be susceptible to high humidity levels, especially over time.
Excessive moisture can cause fishing line to degrade. Therefore, keep it somewhere very dry. A dark box in a dry room is perfect for this purpose.
Temperature
Extreme heat may also cause fishing line to degrade faster than it normally would.
Therefore, not only should it be kept in a dry and dark place, but in a cool place as well. Some people even store their fishing line inside of freezers and refrigerators.
How Often Should Fishing Line Be Replaced?
There is no exact number in terms of how often you should replace fishing line in storage.
Realistically, take a look at the shelf lives of each of the types of line we have discussed in the opening section and then go from there.
If you have high quality braided line with a 10 year shelf life, for the best results, you should probably replace it after 7 to 8 years.
For fluorocarbon line with an 8 year shelf life, replace it every 5 to 6 years. For monofilament line with a 2 to 3 year shelf life, replacing it yearly is a good idea.
Across the board, when it comes to fishing line in storage, most will tell you to replace it all every 2 to 3 years at most, although this may be overkill with high quality lines.
Conclusion
Yes, it is important to note that no fishing line lasts forever, and they do degrade over time. Be sure to get high quality line and to store it properly, or else you’re going to run into problems when you actually go to use it.
