You’ve been out twice already this summer: two long weekends, two different lakes, and more casts than you can count. The fish were biting, the sun was hot, and now your gear’s drying in the garage.
But before you hang your rods back on the wall and start planning the next outing, do you know if your fishing line is still good?
Back-to-back trips can take a lot out of your gear, specifically the one thing that stands between you and the fish — your line. Heat, UV, snags, and hard pulls can all wear it down.
Keep reading to learn how to tell when it’s time to change your fishing line, what to look for, and which replacement fishing lines are worth investing in for the rest of the fishing season, plus get angler tips to help you stay ready for every cast.
Summer’s Toll on Your Line
Summer might be prime time for fishing Canada’s waters, but it’s also the harshest season for line wear. Between sun exposure, warm water, boat rubs, and constant casting, your fishing line quietly takes a beating, especially after multiple trips in close succession.
Monofilament softens under heat and UV rays. Fluorocarbon becomes more brittle with repeated shock. And braided lines, while tough, can start to fray and fade where they brush against cover or hardware. If you stored your rod wet, left it in a hot vehicle, or allowed sand to grind against the spool, you unknowingly accelerated the wear.
Signs your fishing line might be compromised:
- Fraying or fuzziness
- Loss of colour or shine
- Memory loops that won’t straighten
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Weak knots or frequent break-offs
Know Your Line Type and Its Limits
Here’s how to size up the kind of line you’re using and know how far you can trust it.
Monofilament
A staple on many spinning reels, mono is stretchy, easy to cast, and forgiving. However, that stretch also means it degrades faster, especially in high temperatures and sunlight. After a couple of hard days on the water, you may notice weakened spots near the tackle end. If your mono is more than a few months old and has seen steady action, it’s worth replacing.
Fluorocarbon
This line’s biggest strength is invisibility. It disappears in the water, making it perfect for pressured fish. It’s denser and more abrasion-resistant than mono, which is why many anglers use it for leaders or finesse setups on baitcasters.
Still, fluorocarbon can become brittle over time from sudden hooksets or shock. After two trips of casting jigs around rocks or logs, check for nicks before trusting it again.
Braided Line
Braided line is the long-hauler. It’s thin, strong, and has almost no stretch, making it ideal for big game setups like musky reels, trolling reels, or even deep-running Daiwa reels.
But braid has its vulnerabilities: it can fray when rubbing against rocks or rod guides, and prolonged UV exposure will dull its colour and integrity. After two back-to-back trips, give it a close inspection before assuming it's still solid.
Copolymer Lines
Blended lines, such as Berkley FluoroShield or Sufix Advance Hyper, combine the benefits of mono and fluoro — more durability, less memory, and improved performance under pressure. They handle heat better and may last a little longer than straight mono, but they’re still not immune to wear and tear.
Line Check Routine After a Trip
It only takes a few minutes to determine if your line is still good or about to let you down. If your gear saw a lot of fish, rocky structure, or even just heavy casting, it’s wise to trim back the working section or consider a full respool. Here’s how to make inspecting your line part of your post-trip routine:
- Feel for fraying: Run your fingers along the last 10–15 feet of line. Any roughness or fuzz indicates it’s time to cut it back or replace it.
- Pull test: Tie the line to a sturdy anchor point and apply slow, even pressure. If it snaps too easily or feels rubbery, don’t trust it.
- Re-tie knots: If knots slip or won’t cinch cleanly, your line has likely lost its integrity.
- Look for loops or curls: Excessive memory shows that your line has spent too much time on the spool or in excessive heat. We all have our favourite go-to rods that we reach for first, and sometimes our spares or back-up rods are left sitting in the sun all day, soaking up UV rays. Just because you didn’t use it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put it through your line check routine.
When to Swap Out Your Line
If you’re asking the question, you probably already know the answer. Back-to-back summer trips typically mean that your line’s been tested and maybe pushed past its limit. Here’s the general rule of thumb us wise ol’ fishermen like to follow:
- If you’re using monofilament or fluorocarbon, and you’ve fished hard in warm weather, change it
- Braided line can hold up longer, but if there’s fray, colour fade, or suspect performance, don’t risk it
- If the line is more than a year old and has seen multiple outings, it’s probably time to put on a new line
Fish don’t give second chances… well, certainly not the big ones. I once hooked the same skinny 25-inch jack three times in under an hour. No doubt it was him, cause he had a deep scar along the belly, like a bigger pike tried to make a meal of him once but came up short. Tough fish. Hungry, too!
2025’s Top Line Picks at Angling Sports
If it’s time to re-spool, here are some of the best-selling and most trusted lines available this year at Angling Sports:
Berkley FluoroShield Infused Copolymer Line – Clear 300yd
A hybrid that offers the toughness of fluorocarbon with the forgiveness of mono. Use it for all-purpose setups on spinning reels or light tackle. It casts smoothly, handles abrasion well, and resists UV damage. A great choice for anglers who fish frequently but want a versatile, low-maintenance line that holds up through changing summer conditions.
SpiderWire DuraBraid – Moss Green
Its extremely abrasion-resistant braid is great for heavy structure and aggressive retrieves. This line holds its strength under extreme tension, powers through thick weed beds, and maintains roundness and colour longer than many other brands, even after hard days on the water.
Sufix Advance Hyper CoPolymer Monofilament
This line has reduced line memory, better knot strength, and longer life than traditional mono. Excellent for finesse work and weekend warriors using baitcasters. Strong enough for light cover but smooth enough to cast small baits with precision. It’s also highly manageable, making it easier to control slack and detect subtle bites.
Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon Line
Nearly invisible in the water with top-tier abrasion resistance, this line is great for cautious fish in clear rivers and lakes. Its low stretch delivers powerful hooksets, while its refined sensitivity is perfect for bottom contact techniques. People also rave about its leader applications and full-spool use in rocky or clearwater environments.
P-Line Salmon & Steelhead Fluorocarbon Leader – 100yd
This tough leader material holds up under pressure. Built for strong hooksets and rough mouths, it’s reliable on Okuma Magda reels and river rigs. Its stiffness prevents tangles in current, and its resistance to nicks keeps you confident when targeting big, toothy species or dragging through rocks and timber.
Extra Reel Tips for the Summer Grind
A good line only performs as well as the reel it’s riding on. Even a premium line can fail if it’s spooled poorly or sitting on a dirty, dry-drag reel. After a few hot days on the water, your reel needs attention, too:
- Clean and dry your reels after each trip
- Avoid overfilling spools for a lower chance of loops and tangles, especially on spinning reels
- Inspect the drag system for signs of wear
- When re-spooling, apply even tension and avoid twisting
- If using a trolling reel, double-check the levelwind and line counter functions
- Grease moving parts lightly with reel-safe lubricant (too much attracts grit, too little wears things down)
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Tighten down your drag before rinsing to keep water out of the internals
A lot of old hands will tell you the same thing: “Your line is either your strongest link or your weakest one.” It’s easy to overlook, but it’s what keeps you connected to the fish.
Don’t wait for a snapped line or a missed hookset to realize it’s time to switch it out. Keep a couple of backup spools in your bag, trim back that leader after a rough fight, and don’t get sentimental about old line.
Don’t Let Your Line Cost You Your Next Big Catch
Back-to-back trips in the Canadian summer heat will put any tackle to the test. No matter if you're fishing from shore or trolling deep, a frayed or overused fishing line is one mistake you can control. Having fishing line maintenance can make all the difference to your next fishing trip.
Inspect it, test it, and change it if needed — that next strike might be the fish of the season, and your line better be ready.
Get the line that lasts and the reel to match at Angling Sports.
Shop Fishing Line & Reels at Angling Sports today!
