Thread: Monofilament Lifespan?

Found a spool of #15 Ande in the shed cabinet, in the back of a drawer of fishing stuff.
I am betting its 10+ years old.
Still OK to use or don't take a chance and chunk it?

i had the exact same situation where i found some ande in the shed it had the strength but very "loopy" and had terrible wind knots when i used it about every 5 cast

Pull on it and see!

Monofiliament is a plastic fiber made up of polymers.
Several things will weaken it including ultraviolet light, severe humidity, heat & age.
IF it was stored in a controled environment it may still be OK.

I'd tie some knots and test it out before spooling it up...

If you put it on your reel and then have it break on a nice fish, you are going to blame yourself for using old mono. Most of us don't replace our line as often as we should anyway. I'd get a brand new spool and fish with confidence.
Just saying.

Originally Posted by Mobilebayfisher

I'd get a brand new spool and fish with confidence.
Just saying.

You have point: is saving $10 worth loosing a big king? Probably not. A trip to Academy may be in order this afternoon, I need a new pack of leader material anyway.
I normally re-spool all my reels every winter. Or when they need it during the season. Had to re-spool my 712Z this weekend after getting massive birds nest 1/4 way down the spool...

Give it to the pier house for the rental rods. It can't be any worse than the line on them now.

Could be a grade of hobby/craft string not seen very often. (An old recycler thinking).

It really just depends if its kept out of the sun and elements then take about 10 yards off and it should be good. I've used 30 year old line all the time and breaking off fish seemed about the same as using new line

I have some old 30, 40 and 50# line that I use for leaders and such, and it's up to thirty years old, but has been kept out of sun and fluorescent light. I don't think I'd use it for the real thing like king fishing, but for whiting and pomp leaders it works fine.