Does Fishing Line Go Bad?

A fishing line is one of the most important things you need when you decide to go fishing. Many people wonder does a fishing line go bad, and the answer is ‘yes’ as there are many ways that can cause it to do so. 

Fishing lines that haven’t been in use for some time tend to lose their elasticity. They become brittle and snap at the earliest opportunity.

If such a thing happens to your fishing line while you’re actually fishing, it could harm your chances of catching something. Before going fishing it’s a great idea to check if your line is still as elastic as it was when you bought it.

Here’s a quick guide to help you make sure you know how to make a judgment on the state of your fishing line!

Do Fishing Lines Actually Go Bad

Last year when I was packing for a fishing trip, I came across an old fishing line and speculated, does a fishing line go bad? 

Though time is a big factor when it comes to judging the strength of a line, there are other factors that play a role in weakening lines and causing them to snap.

You should always check the health of your line before making your way to a great fishing spot. 

Type of Fishing Line

There are various different line types that are readily available in the market. They range from a difference in prices and even quality, which influences their overall shelf life. 

Microfilament Fishing Lines

These can be used for two to three years depending on overall use. Fishermen and anglers who fish more frequently usually need a replacement at least once in six months. 

Microfilament lines have a single strand and are made of synthetic fiber which makes them the least expensive on the market.

They are known to be elastic, so you should keep in mind that these lines tend to hold the shapes of their packaging. This makes it more likely to not just get tangled but also caught on things as such rocks. 

Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines

These lines are similar to microfilament fishing lines as they also sport a single strand.

They are made of a material called polyvinylidene fluoride, which makes them sturdy and less easy to see in the water, thus helping catch fish more easily.

Fluorocarbon lines tend to have the greatest line memory which makes them very likely to get rigid coils and tangles. This trait makes the fluorocarbon line harder to use, even though its strength and near invisibility make it a ‘reel’ deal.

Braided Fishing Lines

These fishing lines are made of multiple strands of fiber braided together. Those pondering on whether does a braided fishing line go bad would be happy to know that this fishing line type has the longest shelf life (up to 7 years!). 

The line itself feels like fabric and can hold much more weight than other line types, even though it’s not very elastic.

The interesting thing is that this line is thinner than other lines, which means that you can get more of it on a reel than other fishing lines.  

Though fishing lines don’t have a date of expiry, different line types have a certain amount of shelf life after which they become less effective fishing tools. The type of line material can dictate whether does the line go bad.

Temperature Changes

Does the fishing line go bad during temperature shifts? The lines degrade when they are exposed to changing temperatures.

Hot temperatures can cause structural damage on the lines, while cooler temperatures make the lines brittle and more likely to snap. 

Additionally, exposure to intense UV light can also aid in the abrasion process, especially for microfilament lines, easily leading to lines snapping during an expedition.

Type of Usage

Wondering does the unused line go bad is silly. Keeping your line away without using it or storing a spare line (even packaged) for the fishing trip next year is futile.

Like shoes that haven’t been used in some time, old fishing lines tend to lose their strength and suppleness with age. 

Fishing lines can be snapped or weakened by the type of usage that they are put through. Those who use their lines more frequently need to change them at more regular intervals in order to avoid them snapping during a crucial moment. 

Fishing in rocky pools, as well as places with strong currents, can easily fray fishing lines, with the sharp edges easily cutting the lines, and the lines being exposed to constant abrasions. Moreover, fishing lines used in salty water conditions are likely to get damaged.

Fishing Line Age

You must be asking ‘does fishing line get bad with age’, and the answer is yes. Though some lines tend to have a longer shelf life than others, they all face deterioration with age. 

A big factor that can affect unopened fishing lines is line memory. Line memory is when the line takes up the coiled shape of its packaging, leaving you with a heavily coiled and rather irreparably tangled line. These coils can also diminish the overall line strength, causing it to snap when unrolled. 

You can see that even newer lines grow weaker by age, but the question does old line go bad still remains.

The answer is still yes! Prolonged exposure to varying temperatures (even in storage) can significantly reduce the quality of a line by making it lose its durability and strength. 

Conclusion

So, does fishing line go bad? Yes, of course. 

There are many factors that can affect the quality and strength of a fishing line, ranging from eternal temperature to the shelf life of the line material itself.

In order to make the most of a fishing trip and make sure you get to reel in that big catch, having a strong line at hand is essential.