How long does Unused Main line last for??

[AMW93]

I have some unused Fox soft steel main line, its still on the original spool and in its box, its been stored in a dry cupboard for approx 3, maybe 4 years. Is this line ok to use or should i just bin it??

Test it and see?

[Jim Bowdrey]

If I,m in any doubt about the quality of line I,ve had for a while, I use it for backing

[Beecy]

take a short length, say 4 or five yards, tie one end to a tent peg hammered into the ground and the other to a hind leg of your neighbors cat, if the cats still tied up in the morning you know the line is ok

[Graham Whatmore]

It was kept in the dark in its box so I reckon it should be okay but as Nigel says test it, just fill a bucket with the appropriate weight and hang it off the line. Remember most lines break at a far higher breaking strain than their displayed BS.

I couldn't agree more with some of the comments here.

Line tends to degrade when exposed to UV light and the polymers etc. deteriorate and start to oxidise. You get a white sort of powder from some. Providing your line is shiny and the same colour as it was when made, it should be fine.

But like Nigel say, test it. I would have every faith.

This thread reminds me of the time i was in Ringwood Tackle when it was run by the big chap whose name escapes me.

A friend of mine asked if he had any 6lb line.He reseponded no, but that he had plaenty of 8lb line which you could leave out in the sun for a day!

[AMW93]

thanks for all the advice. Just tested the line, i was testing 15lb line and it snapped at the knot with an 8kg weight on it, broke my scales in the process too.

[Mark Wintle]

Three years?!

I've got stored lines that date to 1975! That's a spool of 0.06 ultra fine line that is as good as when I got it. It is when they are either exposed to light or used that they deteriorate fast, sea fishing being worse than freshwater.

I still have one last spool of the original Daiwa Harrier line that dates back to about 1987, and wouldn't worry about using it.

At least though I've just gone and replaced a load of line on my spools - been pole fishing for six months so it was about time.

[Graham Whatmore]

Daiwa Harrier line eh! Mark, finest stick float line ever produced in my humble opinion, never did understand why they stopped producing it. Knowing what I know now I can't help wondering if it was marketed under another name.