| So often we read or hear about proper care of | | | | |
| fishing reels, yet what good is a well | | | | 4. I must confess that this step has been the |
| maintained fishing reel if you do not have a | | | | hardest for me to follow. Storing a fishing |
| good fishing rod for that reel to be used | | | | rod with the fishing hook or lure is a wrong |
| with? No matter how much or little you have | | | | method of rod maintenance. The guides can |
| spent on your fishing rods, you can help your | | | | really take a beating from the hooks and have |
| rods have long and productive lives by | | | | chips, cracks or even breaks. |
| following some basic maintenance tips. | | | | |
| | | | 5. One of the most overlooked ways of caring |
| 1. Rinsing your fishing rod is an important | | | | for your fishing rod comes at the end of your |
| part of rod maintenance. This step may seem a | | | | fishing season. It doesn't matter what time |
| bit of a pain, but really only takes a few | | | | of year it is, just when you will be putting |
| minutes. Fishing in salt waters is a given, | | | | your rods away for a long period of time. |
| with the salt residue being an issue on your | | | | When this time comes you should slack the |
| rod. Yet many freshwater fishermen do not | | | | reel seat. By releasing this pressure, you |
| realize that algae from the water can also | | | | can avoid problems with proper fitting of the |
| end up harming your rod. By rinsing your rod | | | | reel seat and reel foot. |
| with fresh, clean water you can remove dirt | | | | |
| and residue that can be attached to guides | | | | 6. Avoid the possibility of developing a |
| and blanks. If your rod is a little dirtier | | | | permanent bow in the rod, by releasing any |
| than a rinse can handle, try using a small | | | | tension that the fishing line may be under. |
| soft brush to get the deposits. Don't forget | | | | |
| to wipe dry with a cloth. | | | | 7. Proper storage of your fishing rod is the |
| | | | paramount. After all, if not stored properly |
| 2. Check your cork handles. It is amazing how | | | | your rod will be exposed to many |
| many fishermen will treat their guides and | | | | opportunities that could damage or break your |
| blanks with care, while forgetting that | | | | rod. It would be best to keep your rods |
| essential piece of the rod. Using a mild | | | | stored in a vertical, upright position. Seek |
| dishwashing soap and a plastic sponge will | | | | out some sort of rod rack for this. The goal |
| keep you cork handle looking good and help | | | | is to support the rods on both ends. Also try |
| stop corrosion due to dirt, water, and other | | | | to have them up against a solid surface, like |
| elements. | | | | a wall or cabinet so they do not have an |
| | | | unnatural "bend" during the time the rods are |
| 3. Another way that rods can be damaged is | | | | in storage. |
| most commonly done when putting in boats or | | | | |
| vehicles, yet this can result in the guides | | | | 8. Like most materials, your fishing rod is |
| being broken off completely or bent. | | | | not made to handle hot temperatures. Avoid |
| Transporting your rods all bundled up can | | | | areas, like your boat or automobiles trunk |
| also see the blanks themselves can being | | | | that have prolonged exposure to the sun. |
| rubbed excessively and they are wide open to | | | | Speaking of heat, I am sure you realize that |
| other damage like breaks or cuts. Of course | | | | storing your fishing rod in the sunlight for |
| the best way to avoid this problem is by | | | | long periods of time can result in the |
| carrying your fishing rod in a protective | | | | breaking down or corroding of rod parts. So |
| sleeve, case or just carrying them about | | | | avoid outdoor walls as an option. |
| separately. | | | | |