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