''How often do you re-spool lines''

Years ago when I used mono, I had a fixation about replacing line at the end of every season, as I considered the cost of line more than justified for peace of mind.

Nowadays however since the advent of braid that is a thing of the past. Unless of course I have concerns as to where I have recently been fishing, where conditions could best be described as jungle warfare, ''Sunken timber'' or prominent ''gravel bars'', then I will periodically check the line over.

After 20 odd years I have complete and utter faith in braid for my type of fishing. But I have recently been involved with other anglers about their preferences for mono. Hence my asking the question what brands of mono do you favour, and how much use would you give them before re-spooling.

I re spool my reels every March.

I then re/spool them again if i find any damage. All i do is spool the line onto another spool so the back of the line becomes the front, or the bottom becomes the top, which ever way you look at it.

It also depends on the reels, as some get used far more than others.

Braid lasts far far longer and as yet have only changed mine twice.

For the vast majority of my fishing I use mono Derek and replacing it tends to be dictated by what I've been doing rather than time.

So I guess it's whenever something has happened which I think might have compromised the strength and general performance of the line or whenever it starts to show signs of wear such as after a session where I might have taken a rogue barbel on the stick when fishing for silvers on lighter line or a gravel pit carp under similar circumstances and the line gets a bit chewed.

The heavier lines I use aren't a problem in that respect but I never get through a season with the same line with my lighter float lines, I probably change these about three times a season but I do fish a lot.

I use daiwa sensor or ultima power mono and I change it 2 or 3 times a season.

With mono it's 'Floatfish' for trotting and Pro-Gold for just about everything else. Like Steve 'replacing it tends to be dictated by what I've been doing rather than time' and I tend to respool the pins with 'Floatfish' quite regularly.

For braid it's Powerpro and it's been on the spool some years now........

I rarely use braid to be honest, but on the 2 spools where it resides then those are refurbished every second season.

I tend to stick with Shimano Technium on my big pit reels but use Floatfish on my centre pin and fixed spool trotting reels and still use good old Maxima on all my feeder reels.

All of those get re-spooled in the close season, usually late in May . . . . it is my least favorite job to be honest.

I change my mono as and when it looks / feels like it needs to be changed. How often this is depends on where i'm fishing, what i'm catching, the thicknes/ strength of the line etc...so basically how much use the line is getting. Obviously lighter lines will need to be changed more often.
The more often you use a reel the more of the line is going to be removed bits chopped off when attatching tackle, being damaged and sections being cut off, getting broke off on snags etc making it necessary to change it or at least re-fill the spool because there's not enough left on it. Very rarely have I ever changed a spool of mono because it's old, it lasts for years and years if kept out of sunlight. I've got reels with mono on them over 10yrs old and there's nothing wrong with it.
I do use braid (berkely and power pro) on my pike and spinning gear and it lasts ok, but not so long as people seem to think.
I change my mono on my centrepin after each session as I like to use fresh line on a trotting session...no crinkle or ine stick. Sensor being so reasnably priced and imo being a excellent line makes this possible at a cost of a few pence per session.

It all depends on usage and conditions.

I am a mono man in the summer and braid in the winter.

Mono will last me perhaps two seasons, maybe more for light BS lines, although I do keep it in the dark when not used. Shimano Technium is also my favoured mono.

Braid is for winter and after using it for four seasons I changed it for the first time this year. Gravitron or Whiplash work for me.

I re-spool the reels that have mono every season … brad every 3rd season

I use Terry Eustace Pro Gold for lines of 6lb or more and usually change it around March time; I say 'usually' because as I always discard the last few yards of line after each session the spool levels start to get a bit low by this time; if I haven't used a reel spool very much I am happy leaving it on the spool for another year.

I use Drennan Float Fish for most of my float fishing and use Maxima Chameleon for most of my ledgering but will sometimes use Chameleon on the waggler when there's a lot of surface drift and need it to sink well.
I change these lines every one or two years depending on the amount of usage they have had and their state.

Of course if I find any damage, kinks, frizzles etc I will change my line straight away.

I only use Braid on my Beach Caster reels and for Carp hook links.

Keith

Exclusive user of Gravitron braid where allowed, Shimano Technium where not, twice a season change, dont like to much sun exposure to nylon over any length of time.

I've used Maxima for everything apart from hook lengths since I can remember.
As for changing I agree with tigger only change it when it looks like it needs it.

As others have said depends on how much "hammer" the lines had & whether its a heavy bs or not. For heavy work I use Pro Gold & change it probably every 18 months or so....but it doesn't get the game time that [say] Brother Binka's line does.

Lighter line every season...though I'll extend that if its not had too much work and looks/feels OK as I have absolute faith in my preferred brands.

Like others on here. Just depends on the usage. I buy bulk so the cost is inconsequential.
Lines used on Trent more often due to the rough bottoms.
Also float lines more often as I always discard the line from the float down after a session which causes the level to drop.

As soon as they start to exhibit symptoms of spin-induced "crinkliness," if you get my drift. At that point the breaking strain will already be on its way down, so its worth re-spooling for that reason alone.

Bulk spools - even the best ones - are cheap enough; what price a lost fish?
NGT bulk spools (available from Boyes stores on the high street, 8-15lb BS) are just a fiver and it's pretty decent stuff...better than Sensor, IMHO, which was always the benchmark for cheap lines. At that price you can re-spool as often as makes sense. It's maybe a little soft for demanding applications, like feeder fishing in snaggy, rocky areas or over gravel bars, but that same softness means it's supple, limp and well behaved on the reel. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

As for braid, which rarely suffers from spinning-up, I've yet to wear one out completely, although a couple of spools have had the braid reversed so I'm fishing with the unused portion.

I am a bit surprised a few people seem to be saying they only change mono once a year.

I am a bit obsessive when it comes to line and hooks…if there is what appears to be fault somewhere down the line I just can’t leave it ….just yesterday I stripped off the line from a big pit that I had only used twice as the last time I used it I noticed a nick as I was reeling in after a long cast. Worth pointing out that from time to time I will cast out a long way and then bring the line back through my finger tips to checks for any problems…I find it easier to detect when the line and my fingers are wet. If I do find a fault I will strip the line off to the problem and respool if too much is gone.…I just cant bear the idea of losing a fish due to a line problem.
Same for when a line starts to show signs of too much twist …too much being a subjective call…I sort of know now through experience if it needs changing…overly twisted mono will break at a lower breaking strain so don’t risk it. Its also the reason I don’t use things like a Gardner spin docter to try and untwist line…to me it’s a crazy idea ..to try and purposely untwist your line by twisting it back the other way…how do you know when you have untwisted it enough ? ….to me your just risking stressing it even more.
As I tend to change my line regularly price is important to me. For many years I have used and still use Berkley big game. I find it very reliable and have faith in it. Its quite stretchy but I tend to do allot of fishing at close range so its good for me and it breaks over its stated strain. .35mm I use for River Carping and I could pick up bulk spools for less than 10 quid which is my cut of point…I wont pay more than that for a bulk spool. There may be better lines out there now but for the price I have complete faith in Big game.
I have found it a bit harder to come by of late so on the feedback from a number of anglers I gave Diawa Sensor a go and I find that pretty good and still pretty cheap however I still use Big game when I find it. I guess its about confidence in what you use…for the same reason I am still using Drennan Super specialist hooks …how many years have they been going !
The other line I used quite a bit and liked allot was Fox soft steel…I don’t know if its still available. That I found really good…excellent casting line too …but then its price went up so I swapped back to Big game again.

So going back to the original question as to how often to change mono…the answer is as often as it needs to be changed ! ….as soon as there is any issue or too much twist. Loading it right makes a big difference too.

Derek,

I respool my Carp/Pike every year, I change the line on my Centrepins as required, that could be 10 times in a season, as the line tends to kink on the spool and I only put 50 yards on at a time.

I also change the line on my feeder/Perch fixed spool regularly, for the cost of a bit of line and the time I spend fishing, why not be safe rather than sorry>?

Bob

I can't remember the last time 2 to 3 years ago at least. I check the lines but as most of my fishing is done at close range most of the line is never used.
The bulk spools of line I use to top up could be up to 10 years old in fact some must be a lot older.

Like most here I will replace line when I think it is starting to deteriorate and that is certainly not every season. To illustrate that, I have a Diawa 125 reel I use on a regular basis, works perfectly, the Bayer 2.6lbs BS is sound and I know for a fact I have not changed it since moving to Dorset which is now over 22 years ago. Pete.

Previously, I would change my mono on a fairly regular basis. In some cases that might have been every few months or so, annually or bi-annually. These days I change it as and when it becomes necessary. I can usually detect the degradation way before it actually becomes an issue. However, I do regularly strip a few feet or so back as it is used and shows signs of wear.