I started bass fishing in 2009. I put Power Pro Braid on my rods. So far that line is still going strong after 8-1/2 years. It's dealt with sticks, rocks, northerns, sunnies, and bass. I know I should change it. Now that I am using some more expensive lures like Whopper Ploppers that are $16 each, I don't want to lose them because of line break. I know that line is the most important thing between you and fish, it is also what keeps you from losing lures. Every year I cut a foot of line off of my reels and re-tie the KVD Fastach for next year and for my spinning rods just cut a foot off and directly tie to the Senko Wacky rigged or Zoom Super Fluke. The line is still very strong and hasn't broken once (knock on wood), so I just don't see a reason in getting rid of it. 

 

To answer some questions: 15lbs and 30lbs. and I store it in my boat in the pole barn. Fish about 12-15 times a year. 

 

 

How much longer can I expect this line to last?

I have no idea. Might last forever or an 11-pounder might break it. Have you considered tying the dirty end of the line to the spool and fishing with the clean end that hasn't seen the damaging rays of daylight for eight years? You could get another 8.5 years of worry-free fishing out of it.

At a minimum I would reverse the line.  By that I mean pull off the line and start spooling with the old working end.  The line that has not seen the sun is better what has been exposed.

 

That said, I pull off 75 yardish, keep the remaining braid as backing, then respond the 75 yards.

This will leave you 75 yards to use in 8 years

Somewhere between 15 - 35 years of normal use and storage conditions based on similar component material studies

My question  to the original  post is how often are you using this braid and what  pound test? Also where you store your rods and reels?

All these factors should make a big difference.

Now that you've established the probable longevity of your PE line, perhaps you should begin a discussion determining how often you should be retying your baits...  I'd be running low on available line yardage on my reel much sooner than 8 years.

 

 

oe

22 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

how often you should be retying your baits

can't argue with results  

1 hour ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Now that you've established the probable longevity of your PE line, perhaps you should begin a discussion determining how often you should be retying your baits...  I'd be running low on available line yardage on my reel much sooner than 8 years.

 

 

oe

 

 

Using the KVD Fastach I almost never have to re-tie. Usually only once at the end of the year and if a northern tears my line up. 

 

 

The spinning rods usually a couple of times a year when the hook gets cut off for being stuck. 

3 hours ago, Johnbt said:

I have no idea. Might last forever or an 11-pounder might break it. Have you considered tying the dirty end of the line to the spool and fishing with the clean end that hasn't seen the damaging rays of daylight for eight years? You could get another 8.5 years of worry-free fishing out of it.

I do this! 

 

I'm going on 5 years on some of my reels.  No issues at all and I don't feel any less confident, I've never had my "braid" break midline on a cast.  I've had that happen on all other lines though.  I respool all my non braid lines every season or if it requires a change.

2 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Now that you've established the probable longevity of your PE line, perhaps you should begin a discussion determining how often you should be retying your baits...  I'd be running low on available line yardage on my reel much sooner than 8 years.

 

 

oe

I use leaders with my braid, I rarely use braid only.

There isn't anything in the yarn that braid is made from that will degrade in time, the braid will out live you.

Wear and tear it may not last an hour as braid doesn't have high abrasion resistance.

Tom

Do you service your reels?

6 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

Do you service your reels?

 

 

I need to start. One of my Revo Rockets is starting to make a funny sound. Why? Because if I do that I should also do my line?

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, tcbass said:

 

 

I need to start. One of my Revo Rockets is starting to make a funny sound. Why? Because if I do that I should also do my line?

 

Why? Because it hasn't been cleaned or serviced in 8 yrs. There's no telling what's going on, a "funny sound" could be anything. 

 

Absolutely service your reel and change the line while you're at it. 

 

 

 

Mike