BARRY'S BASICS : FIRST LINE IN FISHING IS LINE.

Byline: Barry Brightenburg

Fresh line.

It's the simplest and least expensive measure to improve the odds of boating fish, yet it is the most overlooked.

Between the terminal tackle, the ticket for the charter and the hamburgers and drinks on board, anglers can easily spend $150 on an albacore trip; it always amazes me that the one thing neglected is the line.

You never want to defend the loss of a fish of a lifetime by stating, ``The line looked OK.''

Line deteriorates with heat and sunlight, and bad line is going to snap faster. Prevent the loss of its strength by storing reels in dark, cool, dry places.

Of course, after use - depending on how much action, the amount of tangles it has seen and how long it's been in the sun and water - line must be changed. But how can you tell when?

As a general rule, when in doubt, change it out. Depending on the brand, expect to pay $8 to $12 to fill an average reel. A spool of line is a lot cheaper than losing a trophy fish.

There are many colors of line on the market; think like a fish to make the best selection. When the fish will be looking up at a line - fly-lining or other topwater applications - use clear or blue line that blends with the sky; when fishing in a vertical manner - with sinkers or on the bottom - fill reels with green or ``smoke'' line that mixes with the darker-colored brine.

As for line strength, inquire with the landing or a tackle store for a recommendation to match the test of the line to the target species.

I change my line every other trip for small-diameter bass-style baitcaster reels. If it is stored well and used less often, heavier line can last longer. But even if it is well preserved, another downside of keeping line on a reel over time is that it carries a memory. That is, when cast the line tends to remain in coils, is easier to snarl and acts like a big spring in the water, minimizing the angler's feel for the bait.

One way to alleviate a memory problem is to let out 75 to 150 feet of line - only the line, no terminal tackle - behind a moving boat. It will straighten out. Then wind it tightly back on the reel and you're ready to cast. During this maneuver, check for nicks and abrasions in the line that might need to be cut out. Carry filler spools of line and ask a deckhand to help tie on new line if you are unsure of the procedure.

A last line on line: Dispose of it responsibly. Don't dump coils of line in the water; it will act as a gillnet, catching and killing fish, birds and mammals for years to come. Use a trash can; that's what it's there for.