Sierra Trading Post had some Dai-Riki leaders on sale at the end of last season. Tappered mono leaders that were probably “old” for $.49 each instead of $7.00 each. I have fished trout, carp, salmon, steelhead, bass, etc with them. Absolutely no problems. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy some leaders at a deal at the end of the season. Now, 25 year old stuff, I might pass, but relatively new production, I will be snapping the discounted stuff up again this season.
I almost started tying some knotted leaders up, but when I can buy quality, last year tappered leaders for less than a buck, I am all over that.
I think that sometimes people fish way too small of tippet size for conditions and blame the breaks in the tippet on the age of the tippet when in fact it very well could have been how they set the drag or the hook set was too stiff for 6X tippet material or some other user issue instead of equipment issue. Even with that in mind, I don’t leave my equipment in the sun or in the car for longer than I need to. It probably isn’t good for the fly line either and that $60 line concerns me more than the leader or tippet material for preservation of capital. :rolleyes:
I’m sure it does but if you store it in a typical household environment away from the sun (I have a tying room in a warm basement) and if it’s not been laying in the shop window before you bought it I wouldn’t be too worried.
I’ve only had one bad spool in 10 years. I buy Rio, Frog Hair, SA etc…the works. And I buy tippet spools 5-6 at a time and in 100m spools if I can find them.
I bought some Dai Rikki tippet, which I suspect, was hanging in a small shop way too long. I was nymphing with 5x, which I normally use, and I kept breaking off about every 5 casts. I know sometimes you can tie a bad knot, but that go rediculous. I pitched it all and bought some new stuff. These spools are marked with an expiration date of August 2011. Of course, like stated previously, it all depends on how it was stored.
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.
Most tippets I’ve used have an expiration date on them but I’ve found that these dates are only a recommendation. I think the manufacturers give themselves a good margin of safety. If you take care of them by keeping them out of sun and away from the heat they will last a lot longer. You don’t want to keep them on the back shelf of your car, the dash, or in the trunk. I’ve got some that are four years and more beyond the expiration date and they are fine. If you are in doubt just check them out, and if they don’t seem up to snuff replace them.
Years ago when I used to tournament bass fish, I respooled 6 casting rods with new line before every tournament. I purchased my mono in bulk spools and knowing that light and heat were the worst 2 elements to destroy mono, I kept my bulk spools in their original boxes and in the refrigerator. Never had any problems with the mono. I knew there was no heat inside the refrigerator and I assumed the light went out when I shut the door! If you purchase your tippet when stores have their end of season close outs and have several spools, you might try storing the extra spools in your refrigerator and see if that extends their life.
I hope so as well, Stream. I use heavier tippets for the most part with my warmwater fishing, but I haven’t had any problems with brittle tippet. Store in a cool closet in a gear bag with no ill effects.
If you purchase your tippet when stores have their end of season close outs and have several spools, you might try storing the extra spools in your refrigerator and see if that extends their life.