Fishing rods, reels, line, and lures are tools and must be cared for as such if they are to perform properly year after year. So, you need to maintain your fishing rod and reel to use them properly for a long run and get the best out of them.
Without caring much, they will lose their potential performance and can create problems, when you go out fishing. There are actually many ways you can take care of the fishing tackle. In using my fly fishing combo and other fishing tackles like ultralight reels and rod, i have faced many problems and later learned to solve them. I am here to give the simplest of them.
Maintain Your Fishing Rod and Reel
Check Out some of the modern techniques you can follow to maintain your fishing rod and reel to have a great experience in fishing.
Taking Proper Care of the Fishing Rod
Fishing rods are one of the major components that need proper maintenance and care. Some people, however, tend to forget that and that crease hassle during your fishing trip.
Here are some valuable tips for taking care of rods.
Storing Fishing Rod
I have seen this question a lot: how to store fishing rods?
Well, you need proper knowledge for storing fishing rod properly. Store all rods straight, in a dry, clean area, so they will not take a bend or set. Also, check care, how to store a fishing pole in a better position in the rack.
However, there are special racks are made for this purpose. Or you can make your own to store rods vertically or horizontally. This is actually the best way to store fishing rods.
Cleaning Fishing Rods: Tips and Techniques
Cleaning fishing rods regularly is a must for maintenance of the fishing tackle properly. Well, there are some certain ways more or less difficult to clean regularly. With some experience in angling for a long time, I have some tips to offer.
Wash rods after each use, especially if they have been in dirty or salt water. Use a brush or cloth to wash carefully and thoroughly around the guides and reel seats.
- To keep line guides from coming loose, restore rod-wrap finishes as required with the epoxy rod finishes available from most tackle shops.
- Do not use a rod for heavier or lighter lures or weights than recommended. The line- and lure-weight recommendations are listed just above the handle on most rods.
- Do not use a rod to push a lure or hook off a snag. Such in-line stress can often cause a rod to break or crack.
Take Care of Your Reels
Reels need special care because they have so many working parts that can rust or corrode. Here are some simple ways you can maintain your fishing reel.
- Spool the line onto the reel so it is firmly packed and filled to within 1/8 inch of the rim.
- Always use line within the pound-test range and type recommended for the reel.
- After fishing, back off the drag; otherwise, it may become jerky or sticky the next time you use it.
- Wash each reel after use, particularly when fished in dirty or salt water. Scrubbing with warm water and a small brush is the best way to remove salt and dirt.
- After a reel is dry, spray it with a DE moisturizing agent (such as WD-40 or CRC) to protect the metal parts.
Oil Care Your Fishing Reel
To have a perfect reel for a long time, you need to provide oil and greases to several parts of your reel. It will make sure your reel remains better in the rough and sands. Also, if you are planning for saltwater fishing then, oil and grease can save your reel and rods from the salty water.
- Periodically oil and grease each reel. The parts that need oil are the handle, rotor, and line roller in spinning reels; and the level. wind track and axle in casting reels. Add grease to the internal gearing and the level wind worm gear in casting reels. Fly reels require little greasing-only on the gears, on the pawls, and around the handle. Most reel manuals will give you additional details on your tackle.
Proper Maintenance for Your Reel
The fishing line gets worn and damaged with regular use. Here are some tips on proper maintenance.
- Pack lines tightly on all reels. This will help prevent knots and tangles.
- Remove and replace all line once each year-more often if you fish frequently Strip off any line that is abraded or damaged while fishing.
- Clean fly lines with a mild detergent or special line cleaner, then rinse and dry.
- Store fly lines in loose coils, or on the reel, provided that they are clean and dry.
Caring and Maintaining the Hooks and Lure
Don’t overlook lures and hooks, which also need regular attention. If you do not take these seriously your fishing experience will not only be affected but also will the fishing rod and reel can get distorted.
- Check lures at all times for hook sharpness. Dull hooks are a prime cause of missed strikes.
- Remove and replace any broken, damaged, or rusted hooks. Most hooks on lures are easily replaced using split rings and split-ring pliers, available at tackle shops.
- To keep spoons and spinners shiny, polish them with a metal polish and then coat with a clear protective finish.
- Metal lures such as spinners, spoons, and jigs can be repainted during the off season.
- Store soft-plastic lures in separate bags sorted by color and type; otherwise, the various colors will tend to bleed.
- Separate soft-plastic lures and hard baits in your tackle box; some of the soft baits will attack the finish on painted or hard finish lures.
Maintenance Tools for Taking Care of your Reels and Rod
Finally, several tools are essential for the care and maintenance of fishing tackle.
- Reel Oil for Maintenance
- Fishing Reel Greaser
- Reel Guard Oil and Grease Spray Set
- Performance Drag Grease
- Reel Guard Grease Spray
- Hex Driver as Reel Maintenance Tool
- Bait Casting Spool Ball Bearing Lubricant
Keep pliers handy when fishing; they are ideal for unhooking fish, adjusting hooks, modifying lures, and taking care of a variety of other fishing emergencies. Also, always carry a hook hone or sharpener to sharpen hooks as you are fishing.
About me: Hi, I’m Alex N. Ferroni, One of the creators of The Safariors blog and former camping trainer at Tripspot Magazine. I wish some other outdoor, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping enthusiasts have made this blog to share our thought. We are learning a lot through each trip, and we want you to learn that too!
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