Using old Flourocarbon? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

HobieScot · 08-06-2015, 08:17 AM

I was cleaning out my garage and came across a few spools of the old seaguar floro in 20,25, and 30lb test. It's the old all blue packaging and I would guess it's between 10-15 years old. It was stored in a drawer in my tool box all this time.

I did a couple pull tests on it and it seems fine. I also tied a couple knots and it seems to be functioning normally.

Has anyone used old floro before with good success? I'm wondering if it is worth using? I already bought a new 30lb spool and will be using that for now. I'm just wondering if it's even worth using this old stuff? They are basically full spools so I'd hate to throw them away. But if it means a chance at loosing a nice fish then it's not worth it

Has anyone tried using old floro?

would you give it a try or just toss it?

ful-rac · 08-06-2015, 08:24 AM

It would probably work just fine but....I'd toss it if I were you....It's not like you live on a deserted island and it washed ashore...

Mahigeer · 08-06-2015, 10:24 AM

At $9:00 a pack for 25 yds, I would give it a try.

Sun is very bad for fishing lines. If it is clear and has been inside a garage with moderate temp. It maybe ok.

Maybe do a test with a scale on a segment of it.

Dave Legacy · 08-06-2015, 10:31 AM

I know as far as it applies to fly fishing, and there's no good reason why it should be any different in other applications, fluorocarbon lasts forever. Tom Rosenbauer from Orvis has talked about it quite a few times on the Orvis podcast if you want to look it up. Amongst the fly angling community there's some concern about leaving snippets of FC in the rivers, since it'll never biodegrade, accumulation, blah blah blah. I don't have scientfic facts to back this up so maybe this has been debunked?

Nylon/monofilament is a different story. Even properly stored there comes a time when you might not want to trust it.

If the fluorocarbon line you have is a co-polymer and not a pure FC it might be junk.

tacmik · 08-06-2015, 05:20 PM

no good. give to me and I will dispose of it properly for you.

Scoot · 08-06-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

At $9:00 a pack for 25 yds, I would give it a try.

Sun is very bad for fishing lines. If it is clear and has been inside a garage with moderate temp. It maybe ok.

Maybe do a test with a scale on a segment of it.

More like 18 bones per 25 yd. I'm using some old stuff tomorrow
I'll let you know! Or hit up Ful rac he must have endlist supply!
Sewer guys got it all!

ghotion · 08-06-2015, 08:59 PM

Take it out, try it and let us know how it worked. We all thank you very much.

TCS · 08-06-2015, 09:09 PM

On let's talk hookup the Seaguar guys always say that flouro does not deteriorate except if subjected to temperature extremes. Its UV and chemical resistant.

ful-rac · 08-06-2015, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCS

On let's talk hookup the Seaguar guys always say that flouro does not deteriorate except if subjected to temperature extremes. Its UV and chemical resistant.

I did hear that too...10-15 years is an extremely long time though...with all the big fish that are around lately....going with new, at least you'll have peace of mind.

I wonder if the way they formulate or manufacture floro has changed in the past 15 years...? I'm sure it has....

TCS · 08-06-2015, 10:20 PM

I'm fishing 40lb most of the time.

jorluivil · 08-06-2015, 10:57 PM

Ask yourself this question:

Do I want to use 15year old line when I hook my trophy fish or my first tuna on my kayak? If you're willing to take that chance go for it. I've purchased 3-4 spools of Flourocarbon this year.........why? Because I don't want to take that chance.

T-Rex · 08-07-2015, 12:11 AM

Take a few feet and test it on a spring scale to see what the breaking point is. I have some 15 year old 20# carbonpro fluoro that has turned to junk over time and breaks at about 10#. With conditions the way they are, it's not worth taking a chance on losing the fish of a lifetime. Typically my new Seaguar goes to its rated test without breaking.

HobieScot · 08-07-2015, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Ask yourself this question:

Do I want to use 15year old line when I hook my trophy fish or my first tuna on my kayak? If you're willing to take that chance go for it. I've purchased 3-4 spools of Flourocarbon this year.........why? Because I don't want to take that chance.

That's exactly why I picked up a new spool of 30# yesterday

I agree with you. It's not worth taking a chance at loosing the fish of a lifetime! If I'm fighting a tuna for 30 plus minutes and it pops off then I find it's because the old flouro busted I'd be pissed!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

HobieScot · 08-07-2015, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Rex

Take a few feet and test it on a spring scale to see what the breaking point is. I have some 15 year old 20# carbonpro fluoro that has turned to junk over time and breaks at about 10#. With conditions the way they are, it's not worth taking a chance on losing the fish of a lifetime. Typically my new Seaguar goes to its rated test without breaking.

I did a few quick tests and it seemed to be functioning like normal. I'll do some real tests over the weekend with a scale and post the results

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

taggermike · 08-07-2015, 08:21 AM

I've heard that fluoro holds up very well over time. Add that to the price and it makes since to use it. On the other hand, if you hook a 40 lb yt or white sea bass on it you'll be worrying about the line the whole time. If it passes the scale test I'd say use it tho. Mike

JohnMckroidJr · 08-07-2015, 02:06 PM

Flouro is rediculously expensive. If it passes your knot tests, use it !

08-06-2015, 08:17 AM	#1
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	Using old Flourocarbon? I was cleaning out my garage and came across a few spools of the old seaguar floro in 20,25, and 30lb test. It's the old all blue packaging and I would guess it's between 10-15 years old. It was stored in a drawer in my tool box all this time. I did a couple pull tests on it and it seems fine. I also tied a couple knots and it seems to be functioning normally. Has anyone used old floro before with good success? I'm wondering if it is worth using? I already bought a new 30lb spool and will be using that for now. I'm just wondering if it's even worth using this old stuff? They are basically full spools so I'd hate to throw them away. But if it means a chance at loosing a nice fish then it's not worth it Has anyone tried using old floro? would you give it a try or just toss it?

08-06-2015, 08:24 AM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	It would probably work just fine but....I'd toss it if I were you....It's not like you live on a deserted island and it washed ashore... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-06-2015, 05:20 PM	#5
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	no good. give to me and I will dispose of it properly for you. __________________

08-06-2015, 10:57 PM	#11
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Ask yourself this question: Do I want to use 15year old line when I hook my trophy fish or my first tuna on my kayak? If you're willing to take that chance go for it. I've purchased 3-4 spools of Flourocarbon this year.........why? Because I don't want to take that chance. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

08-07-2015, 12:11 AM	#12
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Take a few feet and test it on a spring scale to see what the breaking point is. I have some 15 year old 20# carbonpro fluoro that has turned to junk over time and breaks at about 10#. With conditions the way they are, it's not worth taking a chance on losing the fish of a lifetime. Typically my new Seaguar goes to its rated test without breaking. __________________

08-06-2015, 10:24 AM	#3
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,897	At $9:00 a pack for 25 yds, I would give it a try. Sun is very bad for fishing lines. If it is clear and has been inside a garage with moderate temp. It maybe ok. Maybe do a test with a scale on a segment of it.

08-06-2015, 10:31 AM	#4
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	I know as far as it applies to fly fishing, and there's no good reason why it should be any different in other applications, fluorocarbon lasts forever. Tom Rosenbauer from Orvis has talked about it quite a few times on the Orvis podcast if you want to look it up. Amongst the fly angling community there's some concern about leaving snippets of FC in the rivers, since it'll never biodegrade, accumulation, blah blah blah. I don't have scientfic facts to back this up so maybe this has been debunked? Nylon/monofilament is a different story. Even properly stored there comes a time when you might not want to trust it. If the fluorocarbon line you have is a co-polymer and not a pure FC it might be junk.

08-06-2015, 08:59 PM	#7
ghotion Junior Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Take it out, try it and let us know how it worked. We all thank you very much.

08-06-2015, 09:09 PM	#8
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	On let's talk hookup the Seaguar guys always say that flouro does not deteriorate except if subjected to temperature extremes. Its UV and chemical resistant.

08-06-2015, 10:20 PM	#10
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	I'm fishing 40lb most of the time.

08-07-2015, 08:21 AM	#15
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I've heard that fluoro holds up very well over time. Add that to the price and it makes since to use it. On the other hand, if you hook a 40 lb yt or white sea bass on it you'll be worrying about the line the whole time. If it passes the scale test I'd say use it tho. Mike

08-07-2015, 02:06 PM	#16
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	Flouro is rediculously expensive. If it passes your knot tests, use it !