How to Maintain a Fishing Rod: 9 Steps with Pictures

That way, the hook won’t swing around like crazy and will help maintain it. When done fishing, lean your rod against a wall; if you’re moving or traveling with the rod, put bubble wrap around it and put it in a case if you can. Loosen the drag before storing your rod and reel so the line does not break or pull on the rod.

At face value, they seem to be the same thing but are they? Every lure and spoon will eventually become rusty, especially if you are fishing saltwater and need to be cleaned. Some anglers suggest using WD-40 as the main cleaning agent.

Remove the fishing line from your rod and reel before storage if you have been fishing in saltwater. To reach the reel coil, unfasten the central screw and remove the wire coil from the reel assembly. Inspect the internal and external components and remove any particles or foreign elements with a small brush. Optionally, immerse the reel in distilled water for several hours. Rinse and dry with a clean microfiber cloth and be sure not to lubricate the friction unit. Mystery Tackle Box offers a video explanation if you wish for a visual aid to the cleaning process.

how to clean a fishing rod

Unwrap the film and remove the soaked cotton balls or paper towels. There will be a time when you will notice corrosion around or in your rod guide. A bit of corrosion might not look like a big deal until you lose a fish. A less harsh alternative would be an all-natural citrus-scented cleaner. The natural ingredients will effectively clean, while the citrus will cut through any fish juice odor that may be lingering. I will put a dab of oil in the joint of the reel handle and also where the handle/knob meets the arm .

Also, before packing your gear for the off season, ensure you remove and dispose of all the unused lines on the reels. While fishing, spray the reels with fresh water or dunk it in a bucket of fresh water. After that, gently wipe dry the reels to get rid of excess salt buildup and avoid saltwater corrosion. It’s not totally necessary to thoroughly clean a reel seat, but that is where you’ll accumulate a lot of gunk over time.

It’s important to always store your rods upright, use cases or sleeves, keep in a dry place, and out of any moderate to high heat. More specifically, after cleaning your rod, make sure it is completely dry before storing away. At the end of the day, it’s pretty hard to completely damage your rod during cleaning so our best advice is to simply use your best judgment. A palomar knot is the simplest knot that I know that is strong enough to handle saltwater fish.

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Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.

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