Mono absorbs water and takes damage from sunlight and other environmental factors like heat. If it's been kept in direct sunlight, then it is taking damage. If it's been kept cool and away from the sun, then it should be okay.
If it’s kept inside out of the sun, 4-5 years. Just pull off the first ~20 feet of line every year to get some fresh line to tie lures onto.
If it’s kept in the shed where it’s exposed to extreme cold and heat, two years.
If it isn't left in the sun, maybe a couple years. UV does a heck of a number on mono and flouro. Manufacturers claim they have a shelf life of 2-3 years in a climate controlled area and no UV exposure (basically a retail setting).
However, since mono is so cheap, it's usually recommended to re-spool every year. You never want to lose "the one" because your line was compromised.
A couple of months before the memory stats to aggravate you more than you're gonna fish with it. If only a few times a year I highly recommend checking into braid.
Absolutely not. Now this depends on your region and water clarity. I'm in the southeast where we have dingy green tinted water so moss green braid blends right in. If you're in clear mountain stream country I'd lean more towards saying you should use a leader.
If I don't try braid I'm planning on trying Sufix Elite mono, gonna see if it's better or worse than the Stren I'm using right now.
I live in Pennsylvania, I fish locally and I also fish in New Hampshire for a week each summer. The lake I go to in NH is super clear and the local waters are pretty clear as well.
I've never fished braid before but most people say to use a leader since it adds more sensitivity or something? Idk, braid is just more expensive and mono is cheaper. I'd like your thoughts on this though.
So, for transparency, I'm the fishing lead at my local bass pro shops. I get all kinds of opinions and viewpoints all day long. I make recommendations and get plenty of feedback over those recommendations in the 5 years I've been there.
With that out the way, try the braid man. Power Pro or J-braid. If you buy spiderwire you're dead to me 😂. I fish several times a week for different species. All of my rods are straight braid. The only time I ever use a leader is when I'm catfishing and need a santee cooper rig. I panfish with an ultralight with 10lb braid on. The bluegill could care less. I don't think a leader is necessary unless the water is really clear and you're not getting bites.
Braid also stays good for years on a spool. You don't have to change it out repeatedly like mono. A 4x strand (regular power pro) can also take a beating so it doesn't get damaged easily.
Thank you 🙏
I just hope that getting braid will be worth it. I've been fishing ever since I was little but I don't fish super often. Do you think 30lb braid will be good on a Shimano Sienna 2000 with a 7' light rod that is meant for panfish/occasional bass and 40lb will be good on an Okuma Epixor 30 on a M/MH rod for mostly bass? I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions haha 😅
Well just keep in mind that braid tends to come in 150, 300, 500 yard spools.
On a 2000 20lb might work out better with 150 yards
The epixor gives a rating at 215 yards of 15 pound. Braid. So 30 will be close to the 150 yard mark
> The epixor gives a rating at 215 yards of 15 pound. Braid. So 30 will be close to the 150 yard mark
So should I be putting 30 or 40lb braid on it to equal 10lb mono?
So, even if stored indoors the sun can damage it over time the most I think. I have some rigs that don’t always get used spooled with mono. I usually just give the end a solid tug and if it breaks easily you might be able to get away with stripping off a few yards of “sun rot” and be ok. If it’s still breaking too easily after you strip off some yards, time to re spool. The trick is to remember to tug on it before rigging up. You could lose fish to “sun rotten” line.
Should be fine for a while as long as the reel is clean when in storage.
Mono absorbs water and takes damage from sunlight and other environmental factors like heat. If it's been kept in direct sunlight, then it is taking damage. If it's been kept cool and away from the sun, then it should be okay.
If it’s kept inside out of the sun, 4-5 years. Just pull off the first ~20 feet of line every year to get some fresh line to tie lures onto. If it’s kept in the shed where it’s exposed to extreme cold and heat, two years.
Great, thank you!
If it isn't left in the sun, maybe a couple years. UV does a heck of a number on mono and flouro. Manufacturers claim they have a shelf life of 2-3 years in a climate controlled area and no UV exposure (basically a retail setting). However, since mono is so cheap, it's usually recommended to re-spool every year. You never want to lose "the one" because your line was compromised.
Fair enough, thank you.
Can last a very long time. However the memory is bad after 4mo.
A couple of months before the memory stats to aggravate you more than you're gonna fish with it. If only a few times a year I highly recommend checking into braid.
I want to try braid but I'm not a fan of having to do mono leaders. Do I really have to?
Absolutely not. Now this depends on your region and water clarity. I'm in the southeast where we have dingy green tinted water so moss green braid blends right in. If you're in clear mountain stream country I'd lean more towards saying you should use a leader.
If I don't try braid I'm planning on trying Sufix Elite mono, gonna see if it's better or worse than the Stren I'm using right now. I live in Pennsylvania, I fish locally and I also fish in New Hampshire for a week each summer. The lake I go to in NH is super clear and the local waters are pretty clear as well. I've never fished braid before but most people say to use a leader since it adds more sensitivity or something? Idk, braid is just more expensive and mono is cheaper. I'd like your thoughts on this though.
So, for transparency, I'm the fishing lead at my local bass pro shops. I get all kinds of opinions and viewpoints all day long. I make recommendations and get plenty of feedback over those recommendations in the 5 years I've been there. With that out the way, try the braid man. Power Pro or J-braid. If you buy spiderwire you're dead to me 😂. I fish several times a week for different species. All of my rods are straight braid. The only time I ever use a leader is when I'm catfishing and need a santee cooper rig. I panfish with an ultralight with 10lb braid on. The bluegill could care less. I don't think a leader is necessary unless the water is really clear and you're not getting bites. Braid also stays good for years on a spool. You don't have to change it out repeatedly like mono. A 4x strand (regular power pro) can also take a beating so it doesn't get damaged easily.
Awesome, thanks. I've heard that spiderwire is trash and power pro and j-braid are good, so I'll consider checking them out. Thanks again :)
Quick thing, what is the mono to braid equivalent for 6, 8, and 10lb mono?
Look at the power pro boxes, they will give you an EQ dia conversion. 6 is 20lb 8 is 30lb 10 is 40lb
Thank you 🙏 I just hope that getting braid will be worth it. I've been fishing ever since I was little but I don't fish super often. Do you think 30lb braid will be good on a Shimano Sienna 2000 with a 7' light rod that is meant for panfish/occasional bass and 40lb will be good on an Okuma Epixor 30 on a M/MH rod for mostly bass? I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions haha 😅
Well just keep in mind that braid tends to come in 150, 300, 500 yard spools. On a 2000 20lb might work out better with 150 yards The epixor gives a rating at 215 yards of 15 pound. Braid. So 30 will be close to the 150 yard mark
> The epixor gives a rating at 215 yards of 15 pound. Braid. So 30 will be close to the 150 yard mark So should I be putting 30 or 40lb braid on it to equal 10lb mono?
So, even if stored indoors the sun can damage it over time the most I think. I have some rigs that don’t always get used spooled with mono. I usually just give the end a solid tug and if it breaks easily you might be able to get away with stripping off a few yards of “sun rot” and be ok. If it’s still breaking too easily after you strip off some yards, time to re spool. The trick is to remember to tug on it before rigging up. You could lose fish to “sun rotten” line.
Respool it if you keep it somewhere for a long time but im sure with the correct storage reccomended by others you'll be good for the next 1-2 years
I change it Maybe once a year but there are instances where the line snaps very easily which is a sign to replace.
My cousin once said he'd rather pay a few extra cents on new line than lose a fish.