I’m going to AK this summer and hope to be doing a lot of fishing both for salmon and trout as well as other species.
I will be using spinning as well as fly rods.
I have a spool of Ande mono line that has been sitting in my closet for a few years and am wondering if it will still be good. I know some people replace their line yearly but I think that’s overkill, particularly if it has been in a closet for a few years but I’d like some other opinions.
Thanks.

I'd hate to go that far up north to get some amazing fish only to lose them due to bad monofilament. I understand the idea of not wanting to waste what is there, but you could be wasting your time and fish.

If it were mine, I'd test it for strength. If it hasn't seen much sunlight, my guess would be that it is good to go.

If I was taking a trip to Alaska to go fishing I think I’d just invest the piddling amount of money a new spool of monofilament will cost as cheap insurance. Perhaps that’s profligate.

quote:

How long is monofilament fishing line goo for

When it turns to goo... it's no longer good.

Here is how I handled somewhat the same situation.

I inherited a bunch of fishing lures, lines of various types, including several 1000 yard spools of monofilament.

It had been kept in a dark area and one day I decided to check it out, sort it, etc.

Did a test to check how much the lines' strength had deteriorated. Surprisingly, did not seem to deteriorate at all.

Still tested at the labeled weight.

I replace my monofilament annually. Both that used on spinning reels and tippet spools for fly fishing. A pain yes, but IME the material does breakdown and have personally seen issues on line several years old. Flurocarbon is different. Stuff simply does not breakdown and can be used with confidence years after purchase. I would say spend a few dollars on some fresh line. Congrats on the upcoming trip.

If the line is in its original packaging and stored out of any light, it will be fine. However, as others have said, I'd get new premium line for the trip just to eliminate any chance of failure.

Jim

Toss it line is cheap, I use braid much better with a leader bumper.

Going all the way to Alaska is not worth the risk if you need to replace it up their count on it being triple the price.

If it were me, I’d use new line, and replace my hooks and terminal tackle.

I don't fish much but go to the Outer Banks yearly. I have been using the same rod/reel for the last 4-5 years. Never changed the line.

Granted it sees use about a week each year and then it's just a few hours a couple of times during the week. Otherwise, it's stored away our of the sun in a climate-controlled environment.

I would check the line out and if it seemed fine I would use it.

the line will remain strong if out of the sun for years. If it has been spooled up for years it will have memory, i.e. , it will be tight coils and not cast as well. Is it a 1/4 lb spool ? Or is it a larger diameter 1/2 or 1 lb spool.

I replace my line every year if I have used it often or it is getting low. I use from spools that can be quite old.

Unused line that hasn't been on a reel would be strong , but maybe not as supple as new.

Get some new/fresh line! Believe it or not, I've actually qualified in Superior Court as an "expert" on fishing/fishing equipment (line)! Long story-short: The DDA on a criminal case involving one of those survival knives (with the line stored in it's handle) knew I did a lot of fishing and dealt with equipment (including line) issues, so he grabbed me from outside the courtroom where I was waiting on another matter and qualified/used me as his "expert".

Anyways: Ande is good mono, but it (like all monofilament) degrades over time if exposed to light or temperature/humidity variations. Even if its just kept in a stable environment (such as your closet), it can and will lose elasticity over extended periods of time. I'm not aware of what breaking strength this line is described as, but why take a chance on losing your "fish of a lifetime"? Especially with lighter line, the quality of what you're using could literally make or "break" your trip and this is a relatively small cost towards the total. Literally every trip on go on (mostly long-range affairs, South of San Diego), I use fresh mono or topshots of fluorocarbon line on my braided base.

Also, I'd suggest that you research the type/size of fish you'll be targeting and get a few different sizes of hooks, of various designs to use, and practice tying suitable knots. As you well know, there's several different connections between you and the fish you seek that are susceptible to failure. Make sure your terminal gear is GTG and double check your drags too. It's a good investment to change those out too, if you haven't done so in awhile.

Best of luck to you and have fun!!!

toss the old stuff or give it to your brother in law,
if its over ten months old,

or use it if you need a really good "the one that got away "story for around the campfire

If you have a fishing store near you, they may replace the line on your reels with bulk line, sold by the yard, rather than you having to buy all new spools of line to only use some of it.

I know that this is a service offered in the bait and tackle shops near me, and it's reasonably economical.

It is probably ok, but if I was going in a big trip, I like get a bulk spool and get them all restrung. I hate the ones that got away. Also you might see if you need higher test line given the new environment.

Not worth the risk.

Get a spool of a couple hundred yards of braided line with the correct test weight for what you are fishing for. Braided line is thinner (can be cast farther) but you risk a line cut if you are fishing around barnacle covered pilings or sharp rocks.

Get a spool of leader that is the correct test weight for what you are fishing for. I usually use about 1/2 to 2/3 test of the line. Makes it more fun if you have to let the fish run.

Learn how to tie a double surgeon's knot for connecting the leader to the line. I use a single surgeon's knot for the hook/fly. You may have a preferred knot, doesn't matter, but I have never lost a leader/hook due to the knot.

It's $30+- to get the line/leader. I would hate to take a cross country fishing trip and be too cheap to buy this type of gear just to lose a trophy fish.

Ande line so-so. Ande usually breaks easily at a knot. I use Izorline and it is super strong at the knot.

I have a small sportfishing boat, 20 rods, and take lots of friends out on the ocean several times a month. I see what works and what does not.

Alaska? I’m putting on new line if I go.
That much money in a trip and pinching pennies on fishing line “don’t make no sense”.

Wow!
Thanks for all the quick responses...I was looking at the bag I kept the line in and found out the I bought the line in 2009 so I’m going to replace it.

I’ve also ordered a bunch of new lures based on several books I’ve bought and am keeping the size of the lures small (in the 1/8 oz. size range).

I’m also going to be replacing the line in both my fly rods (5 & 8 wt.).

Thanks guys!