Fishing is a beloved pastime activity for many as it offers a great way to relax, is challenging, and allows you to connect with your friends and family while feeling one with nature. To be able to have a nice enjoyable fishing experience, one must ensure that their fishing gear is in good condition. Fishing gear that is worn out, broken, or simply aged can cut your fishing expedition short and lead to unplanned costs.
Below, we will provide you with some excellent tips for maintaining your fishing gear thus ensuring you enjoy your next fishing excursion.
Clean Your Fishing Gear on a Regular Basis
Keeping your fishing gear clean is essential to ensuring that it works when you take it out. After you come back from a fishing trip, you want to spend some time caring for your fishing gear by washing off your reel and rod to remove any water, dirt, salt, debris, or other contaminants from it. Saltwater can be problematic, especially if you do not clean your rod and reel leading to rust.
To clean your fishing gear, we recommend that you use a mild soap and warm water solution. You should avoid the use of abrasive or harsh chemicals as they may corrode or damage your equipment over time.
Dry Your Fishing Gear
Allowing your fishing gear to remain wet will surely lead to problems. Water that is left on your equipment can lead to corrosion and rust, which will ultimately make it difficult for you to fish.
After you are done cleaning your fishing gear, you want to take a dry, soft cloth and wipe it down making sure to pay attention to small cracks and crevices.
Once you have wiped the gear down, allow it to finish air drying – better to be safe than sorry.
Inspect Your Reels, Leaders and Lines, and Rod Guides and Tips
Before you head out to fish, you want to spend some time inspecting several components of your fishing gear to ensure it is in the best working condition.
To start, take a look at your reels. They should be lubricated often. As you inspect the reels, you want to take note of any damage or wear such as loose pieces, frayed lines, or odd noises that the reel makes when you use it. If you do notice any odd noises, you can lubricate the reel with oil to smooth out its performance.
Always make sure you use oil designed to be used on reels and lubricate the gears, bail, and handle. With that said, too much lubrication can cause further issues, so make sure you lubricate but do not do it too often or use it too much.
Fishing lines and leaders will and do wear out over time. You want to look at your line after each fishing trip and inspect for knots, fraying, or weakness. If the line appears to be damaged or weak in any way, replace it. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
To help extend the life of your line, do keep it out of the sun and stored in a cool, dry place.
Next you want to take a look at your rod guides and tips. These components are crucial for a smooth cast and retrieval of your fishing line. Look for any damage or misalignment, burrs, cracks, or bent guides. These issues can all negatively affect your ability to fish.
As with anything, you should ALWAYS replace any worn or damaged parts in a timely manner.
Store Your Fishing Gear Properly
When not in use, you should always store your fishing gear in a cool, dry place. You should keep all of your rods in a rod rack to avoid them getting bent or damaged. If you will not be using your rods for some time, it is recommended that you remove the reels and store them separately.
If you choose, you can invest in rod covers to further protect your rods. Also, never keep your rods or reels in direct sunlight or out in the elements as this will cause damage to them. Avoid extreme temperatures and high humidity.
Seek Out Professional Assistance When Needed
Don’t be afraid to seek out professional assistance if you end up running into a problem with your rod or reel and need help.
By following the above tips, you can ensure your fishing gear will remain in the best possible condition allowing you to enjoy many fishing trips.
