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| Hey Guys, How about some tips on putting your rods away foe the winter. Cleaning, checking, storage, ect. Thanks.Tom Happy holidays to all... |
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| Tom,
I always brake my rods down after the year is over.
Take the reels off and either send them in to get cleaned and lubed or do it yourself. No matter what, whenever I'm done fishing for the day or season, I back off my drag so there is "NO" tension on the drag. This will make your reels drag system last a lot longer.
Take a Q-tip and run it inside your line guides, if it snags then you have a problem with one of your guides, this will eventually wear down your line and cut it. You can get guides replaced almost anywhere nowadays, and it's not expensive. Check around though, talk to people who have had their equipment serviced by whoever you go to.
Check and make sure your reel seat is in good shape and inspect the rod blank for small cracks or fractures that can produce problems for you in the future.
Take care and "BRING ON SPRING"!!!!!! |
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| Ralph's got it covered, that rascal. Did you know he knocked me out of the MF monthly tourny way back on June 1st? And I boated two fish, but Ralph also scored and beat me by total length. Oh well, it was a fun contest.
Back to the rods - I'm often suprised when I see how rough many folks treat their rods. In particular, I shudder when I see folks rambling away from the lake with their rods laying exposed in their uncovered boat, especially in wet weather. No way to keep the dirt and grit from getting all over the rods and reels. Folks should get those clever tote bags from Bass Pro shops - carries 4-6 rod/reels easy and for only about $40.
Now, back to Ralph - just wait till next year, you, you, you
panfisherman!
(Have a Cool Yule, Ralph.) |
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| Sounds trivial but it you wanna keep 'em looking nice, wash the cork handles too. I use regular dish soap, warm water and an old toothbrush. Clean em, rinse 'em and dry em up before you put em away. They'll look almost brand new. You'll be surprised how dirty they were after you get them cleaned up.
Heard a while ago about put a coat of car wax on rods too. I haven't tried this. Has anyone else? Does this work only on the full coated ones or can you put wax on the ones that only have the clear coat on the line guides and a matte finish in between. Just a thought??
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| To clean the cork handles I have tried soap and water which helps a little. But what really helps to make it look as good as new (not almost as good) is to used some rubbing alcohol on it. It does what the soap cannot do. |
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| I found a little better then car wax is those armor-all wipes that come in the container like baby wipes.Makes those rods look like brand new and is relativly easy to apply.On the cork,I dont get it wet and just run a 200grit sandpaper over them and it takes out any inperfactions and makes them look new also!Ready for spring! Handy |
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| Thanks for all the feedback and I'll use them. My rods were pretty dirty and just did'nt know to clean them. Dang things cost too much to just try anything. Thanks Again and keep the tips coming. Tom |
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| I found that a scotch-brite pad works great for cleaning up your cork handles. Just don't go crazy and remove too much cork. I second the armor-all wipes for the blanks. Clean up the reels and back the drags off like Ralph mentioned and you're good to go. |
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| Are you guys kidding me? You stand em in a corner or lay em on the deck and when it's time you use em again. Tote bag? Cmon!
Mostly to take care of my rods I try not to land on them when I take a header in the boat, and try not to step on the fat part of them, only the tips and upper guides.
You guys must be talking about "winter stuff" to do, when you can't actually waste time fishing.[;)] |
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Rod Care