Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:14 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:15 AM

 

Fresh line crucial to successful fishing

Fishing experiences can range from both the pleasure that comes from catching a fish to the pain and frustration that comes when "the big one" gets away. For every successful fish story you might hear at the boat ramp, there are probably many more tales about anglers left in disbelief as the fish of their dreams breaks their line – never to be seen again.

For those of you fishing for fun, the heartbreak is usually temporary.

For those of us who fish for a living, that same heartbreak can also break the bank.

One missed fish can be the difference between cashing a paycheck and going broke. That's why professionals - myself included - make every effort to minimize the chances of this happening to us. First and foremost, we start with our fishing line.

Your fishing line is the only connection between you and the fish. Fishing line, as it ages, comes into contact with many things that all work to break it down and make it weaker. The repeated stress and strain of fighting big fish, rubbing on rocks and timber, sunlight, water, even a fish's teeth can cause your line to become weak and more likely to break the next time you're fighting that big fish.

The best approach is a proactive approach. That's why I re-spool my reels after each day of competition.

It takes some time and costs some money, but it's better to spend a few dollars on fishing line than those several thousand because I lost a fish.

For those of you who aren't fishing every day, the best thing to do is carefully examine your line before each trip, look for cuts and abrasions. If your reels have been sitting in the garage for a long time or if they spend a lot of time in the sun, take the time to re-spool. If you use colored line, check the colorfastness.

If the color has faded, chances are that it is time to re-spool.

I prefer to keep bulk spools for re-spooling because it helps me save money and time. I keep them closed in a cabinet in a cool, dry place with the date of purchase written on each spool. It is important to store the line away from sunlight and moisture.

Skeet Reese is the 2007 BASS Elite Series Angler of the Year and an 8-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.