Braided line

[Buckeyes11]

How often do you guys switch out your braided line. I used a light rod the other day to catch a bunch of blues and I couldn’t remember the last time I switched it out. Held up fine  

[nmc02]

I simply look at it and if it's too fuzzy, do one of two things. Either new OR reverse it. Take off and switch the front to back....this will extend life. I only use 3 types. All hollow....jb, cortland c16, & seagar threadlock. 

[Recurve hntr]

I know owning a bait and tackle shop for years guys would ask me to put new braid on every year. I would try to tell them there was no need but they insisted. Money in my pocket. I tried to tell them.

[Swamprat]

Every 2-3 years. I reverse them as mentioned. 

[nmc02]

38 minutes ago, nmc02 said:

I simply look at it and if it's too fuzzy, do one of two things. Either new OR reverse it. Take off and switch the front to back....this will extend life. I only use 3 types. All hollow....jb, cortland c16, & seagar threadlock. 

I should clarify.....if fishing for bluefin replace, all others reverse 

[JFC1]

When I get a really bad wind knot when the lure's way out there

 

 

[Buckeyes11]

I reverse it also on my surf reels. 

[JHbowhunter]

Has to be bad and usually I will reverse it. 

[Cousin Brown]

As mentioned above,  reverse it.

[Buck154]

 reverse it

[archer36]

On most of my reels, fresh and saltwater, no matter if it's braid or mono, I only replace about the top 1/2 the line's spool capacity. 

I never have to worry about catching a fish big enough to spool me. 

 

Edited June 5, 2023 by archer36

[Sudsy]

It really depends on the amount of use and, more importantly, the conditions where it's used.

 

Braid will last just about forever, I have reels that have 15 year old original Fireline (the fuzzy stuff) on them and it's still good to go.  Admittedly those are backups, Penn 706 and Mitchell 498 PUM, that only get used a few times a year when I feel like going old school. The braid on my regular use surf reel is probably 5 years old and has been reversed once. I expect to get a year or two more out of it.

 

Always buy 300 yard + spools for surf fishing applications, 125 is way too short, just a few cutbacks and you're casting to your backing, plus you can't reverse it, only onto a smaller reel.

 

Conditions matter. I have a setup I use to drift jigs under a bridge, that line is always rubbing against the concrete and pilings - that line gets changed yearly. There's a spot I baitfish in the spring with a deep hole. On the retrieve the line rubs against the sand lip. Amazing the damage that does. That line gets changed out every year as well. Both those reels use a shorter amount of line and extra backing since it's never going to be reversed.

If you fish around a lot of barnacle covered rocks you'll need to do it like that

 

Also, don't skimp on the line, it's cheap in the big picture and it's the most important link between you and that fish of a lifetime.

Edited July 12, 2023 by Sudsy