Ensure The Longevity Of Your Fishing Rods and Reels with Proper Care and Maintenance
"I go fishing not to find myself, but to lose myself" – Joseph Monniger.
Yes! That’s how passionate men can be about fishing. Most enthusiasts swear by this outdoor activity that helps them let their hair down in total peace and tranquillity. Thus, most passionate anglers hold on to their fishing gear as if they are holding onto dear life! Needless to say, they can spend hours taking care of them too. So, if you are just getting introduced to this sport, here’s a lowdown on how to maintain your rods and reels.
Taking Care of your Fishing Rods
Firstly, get a grip on your rod. Although it is designed to catch even the most playful and deep water fish, remember that you are not to bang it around in water. It requires a certain finesse to hold a fishing rod in just the right way.
Once you are done with your angling trip, it is very important to clean your rod. Give it a good wash with clean and fresh water. Use a soft cloth and some vinegar to see that all the debris is wiped clean from it.
If you put your fishing rod away in a sleeve, make sure that you dry it out thoroughly before putting it there. If the rod remains moist, it can lead to the formation of mildew inviting damage. It’s good to practise wearing gloves while fishing. This will make the cork handle of your rod last longer. It’s the oil in your hands that acts as a culprit in wearing out the cork.
How to Maintain your Fishing Reels
Whether you are fishing in fresh water or salt water, you must remember to sponge your reel lightly after every use. Make sure you use warm soapy water for this. A common mistake is immersing the reel in water or washing it under high pressure. This can have very damaging results on your reel as it forces water into the gearing. Therefore, sponging is your only option if you want to cleanse your reel. After you have finished cleaning out the reel, dry it out with a soft and clean cloth.
The drag knob must also be undone in order to clean out the spool and its underside. Once the drag knob is undone, use some machine oil to lightly grease the main shaft. When not in use, the drag knob should be kept loose. This will keep the pressure off the washers as well. If you go out fishing only once a while, make sure you get reel bags and reel covers. These protect your reels for a longer period of time and help store them appropriately when not in use. Reels are likely to get damaged if they are stored without proper cleansing for a long period of time.
If you dedicate about ten to fifteen minutes after each fishing trip to this gear cleansing routine, you can be sure that you have ensured the longevity of your fishing rods and reels. What’s more, you will end up saving a lot of money as well in the long run because there will be little need to repair or replace your gear.