Braided line will last a lot longer if you take it off your reel spools and store it indoors when you’re not going to be using it much. I have my own system for storing braided line.

First, I go to the local Walmart and buy one of those foam “swimming noodles” that kids like to play with. Then, I’ll cut off a section about a foot long, put a little notch in the section, tie an overhand knot in the end of the braided line and secure it in the notch.

Those swimming noodles have a hole down the center of them, so next I’ll push the drill chuck of a variable speed power drill into one end or the other. That’s my winder. The drill turns the foam keeper.

You don’t want to go too fast at first; just take a couple of winds to cinch the line and then you can speed up. I’ll tighten my drag a little, too. Once you’re done, put the line minder in a drawer and it’s good to go until you need the braided line again. Just make sure to put a piece of tape next to the line with the pound test on it to remind you what it is.

If you do fish braid a lot, considering how expensive it is (and fluorocarbon too), it’s a good idea is to swap the ends of the line once a year. In other words, take an empty reel that you’re going to fish with and wind the braid (or fluorocarbon) from the reel it’s on. That way, the old part of the line will be next to the spool, and the new part will be on the outside end that you’re going to fish.

—- Walmart pro Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.