Taking care of your Rods and Reels.

TACKLE

TALK

Your two most critical peices of kit are your rod and reel. Spending a little time after each session make their partnership with you a long a reliable one.

Good rod care can be as simple as just visually checking the rod. Rods have no moving or working parts, other than the hood on the reel seat, and the roller guides on offshore rods. Problems start when the reels are left on the rod, especially after being used in salt water. Ideally, rods should be washed after each fishing trip. This is done by using a light spray from the garden hose and a "shot" of WD-40 on your guides and reel seat. This will break down the salt deposits. For a very dirty rod, scrub with a light brush the areas around the guides, guide feet and the reel seat. To keep the reel seat working, screw the movable hood from one end to the other, and scrub the threads.

Cork and foam handles can be cleaned and brightened-up easily. To restore a cork handle to it's original light color, sand with fine or extra fine grade sandpaper. Using heavier paper will only rough the finish and remove the cork. Foam handles can be restored by using a medium or coarse grade sandpaper.

The advice "protect them from excessive exposure to water" is not as silly as it may sound. Many fishermen leave "rigged" rods in rod holders to and from the fishing grounds. Rough seas can create a constant spray of water that will soak the rod and reel. Rods will not be hurt by the water, be it salt or fresh, but reels can be. This causes the water to be driven into the reel. Another helpful tip to keep your reel in good working order is to release the pressure on the drag immediately after using the reel or after your day of fishing is done.

Whenever you clean or check your reel, remove it from the rod. Check the pressure on the drag, then spray the reel with WD-40, CRC or similar solution. Use a light spray and take care not to get any on the line as it may leave an odor and "turn the fish off" the next time you use the reel.

All reels, no matter whether they are casting, spinning or, boat fishing  need to be protected by lightly oiling or greasing the reel. Take care not to overdo it and check the manual if you have any questions. It is also important to lubricate the handles, roller guides and the moving parts on the outside of the reel.

Depending on use, a reel should be cleaned and lubed at least once a year. If you can't do this yourself, let a professional do it for you. It will help to give your reel a much longer life.