An ideal situation in your fishing journey is to obtain a fishing line that will last you for a long time. There are various kinds of fishing lines, one of which is a braid or braided fishing line. If you happen to have this or plan on buying it, it is essential to know how long it will last you.
Braid fishing lines last the longest, usually surviving for around 10 years or so if you take good care of it, both while fishing and during its storage period. However, factors like nicks, cuts, line memory, UV light, and fishing frequency can affect this lifespan considerably.
If you can manage to control these factors and follow a few steps, you can ensure that your braided fishing line lasts for a long time. This post will take you through the lifespan, associated factors, and useful measures you can take for a long lifespan.
How Long Will Braided Line Last?
A braid fishing line tends to last for ten years or so, sometimes even a bit more.
This is essentially due to the various synthetic fibers that go into their construction, resulting in increased density and tautness despite a thin size.
This makes braid fishing lines suitable for rough conditions and deep waters since their structure can allow them to withstand the pressure of such waters without undergoing much harm.
This usually makes them better suited in terms of durability as compared to other fishing lines.
However, this does not mean that braid fishing lines will undoubtedly last for this long.
In fact, in practice, they tend to last for around five years or so, although it is possible to make them last longer.
What Factors Influence Braided Line Lifespan?
Braid fishing lines are not infallible since they undergo wear and tear too.
Multiple factors tend to affect their lifespan, some of which are listed below.
1. Nicks, Breaks, and Cuts
Due to reasons like abrasion, degradation in quality, cuts by large fish, or dropping the line, your braid fishing line might end up developing nicks, breaks, and cuts.
While it is okay for this to happen since there will always be more line on the spool, there might sometimes be an issue with the entire line itself due to fraying or exposure to unsuitable conditions, requiring you to replace the line.
2. Line Memory
Line memory usually occurs when your fishing line gets used to the spool, especially if left on it for too long. This can result in the line taking on the shape of the spool, making it difficult to cast the line. It can also develop knots and tangles, resulting in a loss of lifespan.
Although this is rare with braid fishing lines, it can still occur to a certain extent, especially if you store it for too long.
3. UV Light
The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can degrade the quality of your braid fishing line since it can cause the binding on the line to become weaker than it originally was.
The more you expose the line to such light, the more the damage will be.
This can end up reducing the lifespan considerably, although a bit of exposure is unavoidable while fishing.
4. Fishing Frequency
If you are a frequent fisher, you might not be able to avoid a certain level of degradation in your braid fishing line.
This is because this will expose the line to light, water currents, pressure, abrasion, and contact regularly.
On the other hand, if you fish infrequently, your fishing line is likely to last for a long time.
How to Make a Braid Fishing Line Last Longer
If you want to maximize the lifespan of a braid fishing line, you should undertake the following steps and measures:
- Proper Storage: You should store your braid fishing line properly without exposing it to light and heat. Find a cool (but not too cold) location that remains dry throughout the storage period. You can use a box and cabinet to carry this out.
- Accurate Reeling: Make it a point to reel your braid fishing line properly and gently onto the spool. You can also carry out flipping between two objects or spools to reduce line memory.
- Frequent Checking: You should keep monitoring and checking your braid fishing line both before, during, and after usage and while it is in storage. This way, if there are any issues, you can make the necessary repairs or improve its condition before it becomes worse. For instance, you can spray appropriate products or make use of silicon gels or special conditioners that can preserve their shape and quality.
- Cautious Usage: Be careful while using your fishing line. If the water and weather are particularly rough or are likely to result in too much abrasion (despite the abrasion resistance of the line), you should avoid using the line in such cases. You can also manage the frequency with which you fish.
How Often Should I Replace a Braided Fishing Line?
How often you should replace your braided fishing line depends on how often you fish and what condition the line is in.
With frequent fishing and plenty of abrasions, you might need to make replacements every couple of years or so.
Without these, however, you might need to replace the line for up to five or even ten years.
Does a Braided Line Last Longer than a Mono Line?
Braided lines last longer than a mono or monofilament line.
Their durability and resistance to wear and tear even in deep water and long distances can allow them to enjoy a long lifespan.
Mono lines, on the other hand, absorb too much water and are vulnerable to abrasion, making them less durable.
Summing Up
Braided fishing lines can last for up to ten years or so, although nicks, cuts, UV light, line memory, and frequent fishing can reduce this longevity.
However, with proper storage, accurate reeling, frequent monitoring, conditioning, and cautious usage, you can lengthen the lifespan considerably.
Tight lines, bend rods, and may all your fishes come true!