I used to change fishing line every year. It was always mono when I was younger. However, when I got back from the Corps I started getting into bass fishing and using braided line. Specifically Power Pro which was recommended to me by my friend who worked at Gander. At the time I only had 1 baitcaster. I asked my friend how often he changes fishing line and he said, "A couple of years for braid and about 2 years for mono."

 

 

I was a little surprised to hear this. He's the kind of guy that takes 12 rods out when we go fishing. But I've had the same Power Pro on my original baitcaster for like 5 years and haven't changed it or lost a fish to broken line yet.

 

 

 

 

So, how often do you change your fishing line? What kind of line is it?

 

 

 

 

 

I think line maybe like bullet resistant vests and oil changes, they recommend you change both more often then necessary not to be on the safe side, but so that they can sell more. I look at it like seatbelts, they are beat up by sun, heat, sand, dirt, and grit, and how often do you change them? Never.

I change mono every winter, usually go two seasons on fluorocarbon; don't use braid. If needed, after a long break off or backlash, I'll change it. Those are very rare though, maybe one reel a year, if that.

Not trying to be a smart-a**, but I change my line whenever it needs it. When it starts to look weathered, ragged or when the line gets too low on the spool. At least once a season on all of my reels, on some of them two or three times (or more) a season.

 

Tom

1-2 times a year.

Every January

Mono and copolymer I will change as needed, or in the winter. Braid I will change every other year.

Now with fluorocarbon line... That I will change several times throughout the season, and not just when the spool starts to get empty. I use FC on 90% of my gear, and while I may not need to change it I do. It's a confidence thing.

If I have a bad overrun (read: birds nest) I will also change it. Kinks in FC are bad, and another point for failure.

Since I spool all my reels with braid, I don't respool for a long time. Couple reels are going on 2 years. Only if there's a massive birds nest which needs to be cut out will I spool earlier.

 

I always use a leader and tie those on pretty regularly, should one be in bad shape....

As needed

Last year I reversed the braid on my STX after 5 years of limited use....only because I had fished for hours with a spoon tied direct, and the line became badly twisted.   The reel is my go to one whenever I visit Florida, but seldom sees use otherwise so my 5 years of use is probably equivalent to another's 3-4 months of use.  I am mainly a mono user.  I change line when it gets too low for decent casting distance.  I have line on a couple reels that is also 5 years old.  I don't change lures much.  I prefer to take a few extra rods and grab a different one if I want to use a different lure.  Thus my line doesn't get cut back nearly as much as someone who changes lures several times a day.  Also I have enough combos that most seldom get taken out 2 times in a row.......except for my Alphas and 50th Zillion.  They get used more than any other reel, and the Zillion is one with the original line I spooled on it 5 years ago....12# Sufix Elite.

I use nothing but braid, I'm constantly respooling something.  In freshwater I get a lot of wind knots, I've tried everything.  In saltwater I don't get the windknots but cement pylons, coral, rocks and the fish themselves bang up the line pretty good.  

braid 2nd year

fluoro leader several times a season

^{Mono & Flouro every other trip} 

Leaders all the time as needed, my 832 mainline,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well maybe every 3 or 4 years!!

Mono I take off my reels when the water ices over, and spool them back up when spring comes around

Braid I leave on until I get into my backing on my cast, then I'll refill my braid.

Geez... When I salt/brackish water fished... I would change mono about every 3 to 4 trips...

Maybe sooner... It's still often... Fishing in rocks..

You just about have to re- spool pretty often...

I keep fresh line on.... It's a old habit... I can't imagine going a year and not!

As needed

 

Regardless of the type of line.

 

 

 

You can put me down with the as needed crowd most of the ime it's cause the spool it getting low from changing baits. being a tube fisherman i can only tote 3 rods

Mono every year. FC only if memory is causing me issues. Braid rarely if at all.

I change my copolymer line right before fishing season. Then I put it between two fingers and check for abrasions regularly. I'm not sure if it's the water conditions but I find some bodies of water can be harder on line than other places are?  One place is in a jet flight take off path.

 

I have braid on two setups that feels very dry. I don't use them much. One braid setup gets used for my portable hummingbird fish finder for casting out the pod.

 

As needed. Fishing line is a consumable. It's probably the most consumable thing we use. Meaning we use it, wear it out and replace it. Consumable. Just like welding rod.

Lures are consumables too but we don't lose them that often.

 

I have welding rod that's $300+ for ten pounds. I can run through 50 pounds of rod on an average day when I was running rod on big structures. I'm happy fishing line is cheaper.

How often would you change line if you only go fishing one week out of the year?  I work a lot.

3 hours ago, Osburn Rutt said:

How often would you change line if you only go fishing one week out of the year?  I work a lot.

Once in a lifetime since you don't fish. Kidding aside I'd still change it every season unless it's braid.

 

I fish almost every single day after ice out and before hard water. My mono and hybrid gets changed twice a month, and my braid gets changed twice a season.

Like someone mentioned above, kinks are bad for fluoro so if I get a bad backlash, I'll change it before the next trip or on the spot if I've got line.

 

Otherwise, I change braid almost never and fluoro about every 3 or 4 months.

I only fish with mono and flouro carbon. My setups that get used the most and fished the hardest get changed out about every other time out. Conditions dictate it.  I don’t replace the whole spool, I strip back to where I have a splice knot. I fish pretty light. I use a lot of 6# and 8# test and I buy it in bulk. I’m pretty sure I’m changing it prematurely. It’s surely a mental and anal thing to replace it that often. 

If I'm fishing frequently, I'll change out mono every couple of weeks or so.  Braid gets changed when it starts to fray or discolor, sometimes that takes many years.  The 50lb PP that's on my Abu 5600 is probably close to 10 years old and that reel gets fished hard for fall and winter steelies plus pre-spawn pike.

When I was guiding heavy, mono every other month.  Braid every 2 years reverse spool and then replace after 2 years.  No client rods were ever spooled with braid.  Just mine.  I do not use leaders.