4 Ways to Reduce Fishing Line Memory

For as long as monofilament line has been available for fishing, anglers have battled line memory. Fishing line memory is what happens when monofilament line sits on a spool. It develops curls, which can reduce casting distance and increase the chances for snarls or tangles.

It is nearly impossible to eliminate line memory completely. When you purchase line, it already has memory from the spool it came on, but this is not the line memory that causes problems. The real problems begin when the line is on your fishing reel. If you would like to reduce the problems associated with line memory, here are four important tips to follow.

RELATED: Common Causes of Fishing Line Tangles

TEMPERATURE

Extremes in temperature are among the biggest culprits in causing serious line memory problems. Excessively cold or hot temperatures can lead to tight curls in your line. In order to avoid temperature related line memory, it is best to store your reels in your home, where temperatures are more moderate. G

arages or sheds that are not climate controlled can subject your reels to extreme temperatures. Also, leaving your reels in a vehicle can be problematic during very hot or cold weather. If you are an ice angler and your line is continually subjected to frigid temperatures, it is important to purchase a line designed for cold weather angling.

CHANGE LINE

If you leave the same fishing line on your reel for years, you will have significant problems with line memory. To avoid this problem, make sure you are replacing line frequently. Every 3 to 6 months, spool your reel with new line and you will drastically decrease your line memory problems.

If weeks or months go by between your fishing outings, you may need to change your line more frequently, because the line is more likely to develop curls. If you fish frequently, you can usually go longer between line changes.

RELATED: How to Deal With Fishing Line Backlash

GOOD LINE

If you buy cheap line, you are likely to have more problems with line memory. Invest in quality line, especially those brands that advertise as low memory line. They will not eliminate line memory completely, but they will significantly reduce it.

MEMORY LOSS

For those times you are having significant problems with line memory, there a few ways to get rid of it. One of the best methods is to stretch your line. You can do this by stretching it between your fingertips as you pull it off the reel, but a better way is to tie on a heavy lure and troll it behind your boat.

Another method that works well is to throw your spool into a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. This relaxes the line and drastically reduces line memory. You can also try some of the sprays on the market, which are designed specifically to reduce line memory.