Fishing is a great way to get rid of stress and anxiety. By being out in the water with your fishing pole and loved ones, a sense of calmness and contentment is sure to take over. However, this moment of bliss may be disturbed if your fishing rod is in bad shape. Saltwater fishing in particular can damage your fishing rod before you even get the chance to save it from corrosion. This is why it is recommended that you take time out for maintaining a fishing rod.

If you have recently purchased a fishing rod and don’t wish to invest in a fishing pole cleaning kit, then this article has got you covered. Read ahead to learn how to clean fishing rods and prevent rod breakage.

Fishing Rod Maintenance – How to Take Care of Your Fishing Rod

Fishing rods can be a challenge to deal with. But not when you have the right guide to fishing rod maintenance, along with fishing equipment and tips by your side. Follow the steps given below to keep your fishing rod looking brand new at all times.

Cleaning Your Fishing Pole

To clean your fishing rod and rod reel, you need a soft microfiber cloth and soapy water. Soak the microfibre cloth in soapy water and squeeze any excess water out. Wipe your entire rod down to the rod tip while getting into the crevices. This is where dust and dirt are trapped – you want to get every speck out of the way!

Make sure you dry off the fishing rod completely to prevent build up of moisture. This can lead to the development of rust on your fishing rod.

Annual Reel Service

To keep your reel working optimally, have it services once a year. For this, you can go to a professional. They are going to take the reel apart and clean each part before putting it back together.

You can observe how they clean and inspect the reel seat as well. From then on, try doing the same yourself to get the hang of it. This is sure to keep your spinning reel rotating without any blockage.

Taking Care Of The Ferrules

The fishing rod ferrules are the joints on the fishing pole. The way to keep them in top shape is by waxing them down.

Simply use paraffin or candle wax to keep them from wearing down. This also makes it easier to separate the parts when needed as it reduces the amount of friction produced. You can find good quality wax at any fishing store or order it online.

Storage

When it comes to storing fishing rods, you want to be extra careful and particular. One small mishap can bend your fishing pole and impact its functionality. Here is what you should follow.

• Store your fishing rod upright. By storing it horizontally, the probability of the fishing rod bending becomes quite high, especially if the fishing rod tip is weighed down.
• Invest in a rod sleeve to keep your fishing rod protected from dust, heat, and getting tangled while traveling. Make sure the rod sleeve is a perfect size as well.
• Loosen the fishing rod drag knob. If they are too tight, they can bend rod blanks and snap the fishing line.
• Store your fishing rod in a cool and dry place. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures.

Top Fishing Tip:

If you’re fishing in fresh water, you may not have to maintain and clean your fishing rod often. However, if you do tend to go fishing out in the sea, then being up to date in your fishing rod maintenance is important.

This is because salt water is a lot more corrosive – be sure to rinse your fishing rod before storing it. Also, remove and separate the fishing line and reel before placing your saltwater rod upright.

The Bottom Line

You can now enjoy your next fishing trip without having to worry about the cork handle, rod tube, or cork grip – everything is sure to be in order. All you have to do then is sit back and anticipate catching a big fish!