Mono Line Issue

[Bduck]

I have used what is suppose to be new mono line on my rigs this past season. I noticed on my 2 trolling rods that the line was fraying on both rigs after using them a couple of times. Also, using my casting rods with new mono line, same thing was happening with them. I've been using stren & maxima 8# and 10#. I replaced the line on the 2 trolling rods with 10# stren and after a couple of trips out, the line started fraying again. Rod eyes have been checked for cracks or roughness and the line guide on the reels also have been checked. Recently purchased a couple of used Tica reels that has 12# stren on them and noticed fraying going on with this line as well and I know this line on these reels is not that old. On a couple of older sets of trolling rigs I also use sometimes for lake trout, has braided line on them thats been there for 3yrs now with no issues. Has anyone noticed this with stren, maxima, or any other mono lines? Are we seeing some bad lines coming out on the market or is it sitting on the shelf (storage) for an long period of time before its restocked? I'm considering going back to using braid again.

 

[SuperD]

I was using maxima quite a bit and then a couple years ago my buddy said he was having really good luck with some inexpensive mono at Wal Mart. That's what I've been using for the last 2 years and am very happy with it. $7 for 1500 yds. in the 10 lbs.

 

[SilverBullets]

I've been useing Maxima with no issues, but I usually change out the line every couple years just as a preventative measure. As far as Stern, I've read others are having issues with it, and the manufacturer suggests sending them the defective line so they can check it out and replace it at no charge.

 

[FishHunter]

I was using maxima quite a bit and then a couple years ago my buddy said he was having really good luck with some inexpensive mono at Wal Mart. That's what I've been using for the last 2 years and am very happy with it. $7 for 1500 yds. in the 10 lbs.

I have used 10lb mono line from Kmart for several years. The line seems generic, but it is really tough. I use it on a couple of my downrigger rods, but not on my casting rods because it is not as limp as Stren or Maxima for casting. I have never seen it anything other than 10lb line, but would buy a 4 or 6lb line for my casting rod if it was available.

 

[SuperD]

and the manufacturer suggests sending them the defective line so they can check it out and replace it at no charge.

Now only if the shipping wasn't as expensive as just going out and buying a new spool, that would be stand up on Strens part.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

I have been using Stren (MagnaThin) for years without any problems. A good friend of mine worked a Sportsmen's Warehouse in Riverdale and had bulk line loaded on his reels a few years ago and had nothing but the same type of problem (fraying).

If you're familiar with retail stores, they do a thing called "Fronting the Merchandise". All this does is take the oldest product and put it in front so the next customer buys the oldest store product. From a retail standpoint, it really makes sense. For the customer, you're probably not getting the freshest product. Unlike produce or dairy products, the items are not pulled from the shelves when they have exceeded their respective shelf life.

Now for the rest of the story. He had the line removed and respooled only to have it happen all over again. Come to find out, the bulk line in the back room was over three years old and not stored properly. Exposure to too much UV may have been the culprit. I only wish I knew what brand he was using and what he switched to. I have also noticed that the smaller spools of line at Sportsmen's Warehouse sometimes have a heavy layer of dust on the package. This is a tell-tale sign to leave it on the shelf.

Don't get me wrong, I am a regular shopper at the same store but a few years back the store management started to have, shall I say, an I don't care attitude. That is one reason they got bought out last year. Many of you probably witnessed a severe lack of merchandise on the shelves last year too. Another factor for the buy out.

I would contact the customer service department at Stren and atleast let them know. I agree with SuperD that it's not worth the return shipping. Maybe they would only request a 25' - 50' sample of the line to test? That way it would only cost you the 42 cent stamp and an envelope. They might even send you a new spool right off the product line? Buck knives once sent me a $30 replacement knife without even asking as a result of a letter I sent.

 

[SuperD]

The inexpensive line I'm having good success with is Trilene - Big Game.

 

[Bduck]

I have been getting stren from Walmart. I also have noticed quite a bit of dust on there boxes as well but I try & get the non dusty one. That doesn't prove much there. I do think they have these products sitting in storeage for an extended period of time. I have even gottem the maxima there, too. They need to to put a date of manufacture on the box.

 

[Full_Monte]

I would be looking for some rubbing of the line on something. Reel, line guide, rod guides, downrigger wire. I know UV from sunlight can make a line fail, but I don't think it looks like fraying.

 

[gonefishing]

Yo-Zuri Line

I purchased several spools for the coming year. It was floralcarbon. Has anyone heard weather this is good or bad line?

 

[Bduck]

I would be looking for some rubbing of the line on something. Reel, line guide, rod guides, downrigger wire. I know UV from sunlight can make a line fail, but I don't think it looks like fraying.

As I previously stated, have checked rod guides, line guide on the reels, its not just 1 reel but 4 of my own plus I purchased 2 other reels with at least one them showing signs of fraying. I won't rule out the possibility of chafing but it seems really odd that there are this many rigs that show the same results. Chafing would show more of an abrasion or small nick. This is a peeling effect. When I remove the bad section and start using the under line, the process starts all over again. I have been fortunate so far that I haven't lost any setups. I have had other fishermen on my boat and they didn't notice anything unusal going on with my downriggers and their rods.

 

[SuperD]

I purchased several spools for the coming year. It was floralcarbon. Has anyone heard weather this is good or bad line?

It sucks as a main line as it is not abrasion resistant and just not very tough line. Its only use, IMO, is leaders for trout or other line shy fish. I don't get it anywhere near my Koke tackle after some bad experiences at FG.

 

[Full_Monte]

As I previously stated, have checked rod guides, line guide on the reels, its not just 1 reel but 4 of my own plus I purchased 2 other reels with at least one them showing signs of fraying. I won't rule out the possibility of chafing but it seems really odd that there are this many rigs that show the same results. Chafing would show more of an abrasion or small nick. This is a peeling effect. When I remove the bad section and start using the under line, the process starts all over again. I have been fortunate so far that I haven't lost any setups. I have had other fishermen on my boat and they didn't notice anything unusal going on with my downriggers and their rods.

It sounds like a manufacturing defect. I'd be tempted to take the rods, reels and line to the place I bought the line and maybe you could get a replacement.

 

[smokin' Kokes]

I only use Trilene Big Game 10 lb for koke trolling because of its resistance to nicking and change it every year. put on backing and fill spool with 150 yds of mainline. i've played the off brand Chinese mono, copolymer, floro, braided line games trolling and went back to the tried and true reliable for consistancy.

Sunlight kills most line in a year if heavily fished anyway. 2 years and most mono has so much reel memory that that $150 expensive drag reel is worthless.

too many hazards and line nicks trolling; down-rigger wire, prop, side of boat rubs, netting and crazy fish, mayhem in boat with multiple hook up to mess with a broken off fish, mainline and lost gear.

why chance loosing that 4 lb koke for $5 of line?

 

[smokin' Kokes]

I only use Trilene Big Game 10 lb for koke trolling because of its resistance to nicking and change it every year. put on backing and fill spool with 150 yds of mainline. i've played the off brand Chinese mono, copolymer, floro, braided line games trolling and went back to the tried and true reliable for consistancy.

Sunlight kills most line in a year if heavily fished anyway. 2 years and most mono has so much reel memory that that $150 expensive drag reel is worthless.

too many hazards and line nicks trolling; down-rigger wire, prop, side of boat rubs, netting and crazy fish, mayhem in boat with multiple hook up to mess with a broken off fish, mainline and lost gear.

why chance loosing that 4 lb koke for $5 of line?

 

[Bduck]

I had taken my Tica reels down to Sportsmen Warehouse to have them spooled with new line recently. After talking with their people who does this, their bulk spools sit on a peg on the wall exposed UV light just coming off of the ceiling lights in there work shop. It was recommended to purchase a smaller roll that's boxed up on their shelves and not exposed to the UV lighting. This individual used the bulk line on his reels and started getting the peeling effect as I described earlier. His resulted in loosing a nice fish. I was fortunate enough to spot this happening with mine before I was to loose any fish and able to shed some of line off of the reel. Even the smallest nick can start the peeling effect. Pay attention to your reel lines. Examine them very closely even if you have to use a magnifying glass.

 

[smokin' Kokes]

the reel line and troll line UV exposure in 1 weeks fishing at a high altitude lake like Flaming Gorge is far more than any exposure of a bulk spool at the light levels in a commercial store.

never seen a store clerk suffer from store fluorescent light skin cancer yetlaugh hyst


from GE's site

2. How do I minimize UV radiation from fluorescent lamps?

Lamp manufacturers generally strive to minimize ultraviolet (UV) radiation in all lamps used in general lighting applications.

The amount of UV produced by standard fluorescent lamps, such as those in your office, home, or school, is not hazardous and does not pose a major health concern. In fact, a paper by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) explores this subject in more detail. It cites a study in which it was determined that UV exposure from sitting indoors under fluorescent lights at typical office light levels for an eight hour workday is equivalent to just over a minute of exposure to the sun in Washington, D.C. on a clear day in July.



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3. Do light bulbs (such as compact fluorescent bulbs) give off hazardous amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light?

Regular fluorescent light bulbs used in your home and office do not produce a hazardous amount of ultraviolet light (UV). Most light sources, including fluorescent bulbs, emit a small amount of UV, but the UV produced by fluorescent light bulbs is far less than the amount produced by natural daylight. (UV light rays are the light wavelengths that can cause sunburn and skin damage.)

All of our light bulbs designed for general public use and minimize the amount of UV light emitted.

 

[Bduck]

smokin' Kokes, I also agree with what your saying that there is UV more in the field than what the store clerk admits to on their spools of line. The UV lite that we are exposed to is far greater than a lamp. I have to leave a shirt on while exposed to the sun no matter what the temperature conditions are. I think there was more the clerk also didn't explain. Such as how long has those spools been sitting there? What is the shelf life? How long has it been siiting around in storage before being put on the shelf? What kind of temps is it exposed to while just sitting around? I have been working with numerous products for 36yrs for which they have shelf life dates. Don't use it if its got an expiration date. But at home or in the field we just don't see that on alot of products we buy such mono line. 'O' rings that come in alot of kits for just about any part you buy for vehicle should have expiration dates but they don't. Certain greases, or lubricants, or even RTV's don't. Nothing more frustrating than driving 15mi and getting home to find the silicone(rtv) is hard in the package. There's not much we can do about UV except use it to our advantage. I also have to keep in mind to what kind of nuclear 'super' lighting we are manufacturing in our country in this day & age. We do know gov'ts are known to do things without public knowledge or opinion.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

There Ya Go! It's A Government Conspiracy!