Northwest Fishing Reports

Using braided down rigger line, 300 ft of 200 lb test, used in salt water as well as fresh. Question is what should the life be? I trim off about 15 ft each season, going on 4th year now. Just wondering how long it will last, only using 10 lb weights, nothing heaver............thinking on this coming year and what I need to get ready......thanks Keith

When I was in the research business, we would deploy data gathering equipment in salt water, held at depth on Kevlar or Spectra for up to 7 years. Hope it gives you some insight. I'm going to toss out that UV light is probably more degrading that the salt water.

Test those pieces you cut off and see how hard they are to break.

200 lbs is a lot, so it should be darn hard to break.

FYI - I've been using the same 130lb Tuf-line XP on my down riggers for 10 years and it is still going strong. I use 12lb weights and split time in fresh and salt water. I'll cut off a section of the terminal end when I notice substantial fraying. I bought a 300 yard spool and split it between 2 units. At some point I'll reverse the line on each rigger as there is a couple hundred feet of line on each spool that hasn't seen much if any daylight.

Couldn't remember if it was G-Man or Bodofish that recommended the brand braid I used on my downriggers, but now that G-Man posted, it was him.

I respooled both my downriggers with Tuf-line XP in 200lb test almost 2yrs ago. No complaints at all. To cut down on fraying, I opted to add the Scotty Sure Stop kits to both.

hewesfisher wrote:Couldn't remember if it was G-Man or Bodofish that recommended the brand braid I used on my downriggers, but now that G-Man posted, it was him.

I respooled both my downriggers with Tuf-line XP in 200lb test almost 2yrs ago. No complaints at all. To cut down on fraying, I opted to add the Scotty Sure Stop kits to both.

Excellent combo!!!

Bodofish wrote:

hewesfisher wrote:Couldn't remember if it was G-Man or Bodofish that recommended the brand braid I used on my downriggers, but now that G-Man posted, it was him.

I respooled both my downriggers with Tuf-line XP in 200lb test almost 2yrs ago. No complaints at all. To cut down on fraying, I opted to add the Scotty Sure Stop kits to both.

Excellent combo!!!

Willing to bet I'll still be fishing that same braid when I need help to get in and out of my boat.

Thanks to every one that replied. I usually cut off the the first few feet just to be safe, but never having used braid before, was just wondering how everyone else does it, guess I am good for another few years..Hewsfisher maybe we will meet on the lake this year, if I can still get in and out of the boat, ( Just kidding ) will turn 81 in April, and still going strong and looking forward to this year on the big lake..............

stryker17 wrote:Thanks to every one that replied. I usually cut off the the first few feet just to be safe, but never having used braid before, was just wondering how everyone else does it, guess I am good for another few years..Hewsfisher maybe we will meet on the lake this year, if I can still get in and out of the boat, ( Just kidding ) will turn 81 in April, and still going strong and looking forward to this year on the big lake..............

Hope we get a chance to meet at the lake!. Also hope I'm still around and fishing at 81.