New fishing line

[Walleye10pm]

How often do you change your line on your reels? I try to change mine every 4-5 years since I don't go out more than a dozen times beside the trip up north every year. I also have about half a spool from the last time that has been stored in the basement for 4 years. Was going to just buy new and toss the old from the last change. Any recommendations either way?

[eyedoktr]

I change mono at least once a year. When I was fishing tournaments, I did it before each one. Braid I'll go 3-4 years then reverse it on the reel.

[REW]

W,
If the line is kinky - change it.
If the line breaks too easily change it.
If you feel good about chainging it, change it.

Be safe
REW

[speckeye]

WhooHoo-Man,I can skin up Fireline pretty quick compared to 4-5 years!My solution to this is to have the spool massively backed with superlines that I have stopped using(Stren Superbraid,for one).I attach the Fireline on a spool thus filled(9 turn Bimini,multi-handshaked to 9 turn Bimini) to allow 60 yards on top,and spool on 60 yards of topshot Fireline(this is half a 120yd spool).This way I get two reels done on 1 regular retail spool of FL,and I still have the option to turn these two topshots around if frugality is my game at the time.It also helped when my buddy found a bunch of clearance Crystal FL last year at GM.There are other good backing choices,like Tuffline,and Cab's Ripcord(which I think is Tuffline re-packed).The backing should last forever,until I come up with a way to skin it up,too.I use a variety of leader materials.

[speckeye]

Because I catch saltwater fish on the same tackle as I use for walleye,I need that backing for long running fish,but if I was only after fish that can't get into the backing,I'd use HEAVY dacron(20 lb?) for backing,as it will arbor that spool up quick, and then give excellent knotting ability to the topshot(whether that's FL or Mono or Flouro or ...).The dacron will last forever,will be a great emergency backing if you hook that Alligator gar by accident,and you can use it to arbor a new reel when the current reel dies.With these methods,you can refill more often and keep your line sweet for real important dates.

[slipperybob]

I do a general line strength test with the fish scale. That will tell me if the line still has enough strength to fish with. Some lines will only maintain strength for no more than a few fishing trips. Some lines I will keep all season long. When it comes to braids/superlines, those tend to stay on for several seasons. Unless I get one that's just horrible and it just gets pulled off.