Your Fishing Gear
Keeping your angling equipment in shape is paramount to ensuring a productive experience time and time again, not to mention the money it could save you.
Fishing gear tips when it comes to maintenance.
1. Inspect Your Gear Regularly
It’s an easy thing to forget about at the end of a day’s fishing.
But checking up on your gear more than once in a while will save you from big issues in the long run.
Think tackle. It’s a key component of your angling arsenal, but it’s exposed to damage all the time.
Check your tackle at the end of the day and take some time to repair it before the next time you go out.
Keep an eye out for things such as the lure veering off to a particular side.
It could be bent. Use pliers to force it back into shape, or head to a local bait and tackle store that can repair it.
2. Clean Your Gear with Fresh Water
You’ll notice that many boats come with freshwater hoses.
Most experienced anglers always keep a bottle of mineral water with them – and not just for hydration.
After the end of a busy day fishing, wipe down your rod and reel, but pay extra attention to jigs, hooks, and lures.
Think of that smooth drag on your reel!
If you’re concerned that the smell of the oil could be off-putting to the fish, we suggest you opt for some scented lures, as they’ll offset any negative consequences of the oil.
Some anglers recommend popping your lures in the dishwasher for a quick rinse.
However, make sure to take them out quickly after the cycle is done.
3. Dry Your Gear Thoroughly
It may sound silly to those of you who know what to do.
But it’s surprising how many people forget to dry their gear after cleaning it!
Water causes rust on every kind of metal. And rust is seriously damaging when it comes to fishing gear.
Rub your gear down with a cloth or paper towel after washing – that’s enough to do the trick.
Let everything stand for a few minutes and take another glance to make sure everything is thoroughly dry before packing things away.
4. Store Your Gear in a Warm Area
Storing your gear in a warm area is vital in protecting it against rust, as you’ll avoid exposing it to dampness and condensation.
5. Loosen and Clean Your Reels
Make sure to loosen the drag off your reels at the end of each day to avoid unnecessary tension.
Much like with storing, this is especially important at the end of the season.
Keep them clean. Hot water can work here, with a 10-second rinse and lengthy wipe-down to dry it off.
6. A Word on Rods
After all, it’s the most important weapon in your fishing arsenal, and it’s pretty fragile.
First of all clean and dry your rods. However, unlike your other gear, you’ll want to make sure there’s a special place and position for your rod.
Special rod holders are important, but laying them down flat instead of standing them up against the wall can also do the trick to make sure the rod does not bend.
Similarly, be careful with your rod when fishing. Try not to bang or hit it, so be careful when casting from a boat, or even on structure when fishing from shore.
Other than that, make sure to wax the joints on your rod to avoid friction regularly.
And wash the grips of the rod with soap and water when cleaning it.
And Now You’re Ready for a Long Life of Fishing!
Most of these fishing gear tips require just a few extra minutes at the end of each day, at the end of the season.
This small investment is well worth it and could add years to the lifespan of your gear.
