Does tippet have a shelf life?

[TyroneFly]

About two weeks ago I was fishing up in the Sierras near the Sonora Pass. I went to add some tippet only to find it was brittle and broke when trying to tie onto the leader. Fortunately I always carry extra spools. My question is does tippet and leader for that matter have a definite shelf life? I think the brittle tippet was purchased 6 years ago. I store my tippet and leaders in a reel case in my closet when not in use.

[NoLuck]

Most tippets have a life expectancy. I believe that it depends on how it was stored and what type of material it is. I usually toss out my tippets that I have not used after a years use. Tippet doesn't cost that much to begin with for small spools. Why risk it?


Rich

[sagefisher]

HCR,

Fluorocarbon does not deteriorate like monofilament does. I used to buy all new mono every year, and use the old stuff for tying classes or just toss it. Then I decided I would just use fluorocarbon tippet for all my fishing, so now I don?t buy mono.

I feel comfortable using fluorocarbon for a couple of years before I replace it.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[dudley]

Fluorocarbon does not deteriorate like monofilament does.

I don't have the same experence
I've had fluoro crap out after just a couple of months
Don't trust it at all...
I carry some but I rarely use it

[J Castwell]

Much of my fluoro is at least 5 years old... hmmm

[Rick Z]

I don't have to worry about the dates on tippet material. I keep thinking my casting skills are beter than they are and end up loosing the flies and some tippet material several times a fishing excursion. Thus no worry about the dates.

Rick

[Lucky489]

Yes it has a shelf life. It can also be affected by the Suns UV rays and heat also.

[Kytroutbum]

I use Frog Hair tippet and noticed it had a "use before" date. I always " hand pull my tippets hard" to guage their strength. I would think it depends upon where and how you store them. I laid spool of Mono in my back window one summer and forgot it. It went bad! In the whole realm of things, I don't think tippets are that expensive that I would store them for several years. Tossed a lot of old stuff this summer. Stonger stuff went into my "Pond bluegill" bag. I wrote purchase dates with a sharpie on the inside of my spools and try to use the older spools first.

[Trout-Dawg]

It does and you should notice it after 6 months to a year on it's strength and shelf life

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I'm with NoLuck, After a year, I toss it all and buy new. I'd hate to have a great fish get off because of bad tippet.

REE