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Sail-World.com : Caring for your gear
If there is one thing I am most passionate in my line of work it is keeping my tools clean and tidy for when I next need them. Like any tradesman, keeping your tools clean and in good working order means no risk of them breaking down. With fishing though, fishing rods and reels are used in high salinity areas and can become rusty fairly quickly. Some 'cheap' fishing gear can actually become seized and rusty over night if not looked after correctly. Sand is another big killer of fishing tackle, especially reels. Sand and salt gets amongst the drag washes and gears making them stiff as well corroding them to make things worse.
By looking after your gear with a regular wash and lubrication, this will keep them in optimum condition for the next time you head out chasing that fish of a life time.
Rods:
Looking after fishing rods is very simple. After fishing, if a rod is put into the garage the guides can begin to corrode and rust over time while the epoxy can crack weakening the guide footings. When you come in from a hard days slog, stick your rods in the shower or outside leaning against the house. After letting the water trickle over the rod, wipe it down with a kitchen cloth and soap to remove any baked on salt and dried bait. They are then placed out to dry outside the shower. At least this way I get clean and so does my gear. With a can of Inox (a water based lubricant), give the guide footings a quick spray and rub in with a cloth.
Reels:
The most important cleaning of your gear is cleaning the reel. If this doesn’t function correctly then there is a huge risk of loosing your catch. When cleaning reels the first step is to tighten the drag as tight as you physically can. For a spin reel, turn the drag knob until you can any further. If you’re washing an overhead reel then push the leaver to 'sunset' or if it’s a star drag, tighten until you cant any more. This compresses the drag washes and when hosing off, none or a very limited amount of water will enter the drag cavity. If water appears on the drag washes, more than likely when you’re battling a fish the drag can be lumpy and slip adding a higher risk to loosing your catch. Still, washing your reels in the shower or with the hose is ok. You only need to rinse them with a light spraying. In the shower, also wipe them down with a cloth and soap to remove all dried bait and salt. After which, give the vital parts light grease such as the worm and tooth if your reel has a level wind. Spraying Inox onto the handle and ratchet clip will also keep them in good working order.
Line:
Looking after fishing line is no easy task as it is constantly placed into salt water, rubbed on rocks and reef, scuffed on fishes skin and left out in the hot sun. Monofilament line is made from nylon, and being exposed to the elements will break down over a short period of time. Salt gathered amongst the wraps of fishing line on the spool dries and also aids in the line weakening and breaking down. When you’re playing out a fish the line can get damaged on reef and even the skin on the fish so always check for nicks or rough sections in the line after every fishing trip. You may even want to cut off ten feet or so of line, the judgement is entirely up to you. My favourite rule of thumb is 'if i'm not sure, cut it off'. So the next time you make a cast the weight of the sinker could just well snap the line or a fish that you battling can force the line to snap. The best way in keeping you line in good condition is to replace it regularly. Most monofilament fishing lines cost around $15 for 300 metres so it isn’t too expensive to re-spool you spool. On average it would be advisable to change your line a few times a year depending on how much you fish. Another way around having to re-spool your reel regularly is to spool you reel with braid. Braided fishing lines are more like fishing with a fine diameter rope. Sure it still gathers salt amongst the line on the spool but with regular rinsing the majority of the salt can be removed. Braid will also last a lot longer on the spool than conventional mono lines. If rinsed after being used, braided fishing lines can last longer than 5 years on the spool. Sure you will lose some by fish and tying on leaders but with general usage the life span is amazing. It will loose its colour and fade but retains strength. The average cost is about $70 for 300 metres but lasts 10 times as long if you going to replace mono lines twice a year.
All things metal:
Metal and saltwater don’t mix and over time rust sets in on hooks causing them to corrode and become blunt. It is vital that hooks are razor sharp to enter the flesh and hook the fish. Unfortunately every hook at some point or another is going to rust but with hook manufactures producing stainless steel hooks and hooks with a more rust prevention coating they now go from completely rusting to having small rust spots. Usually for the cost of a hook it is tossed out after fishing but when you purchase better quality hooks like, Black Magic, Owner and Gamakatsu the coatings around the hooks prevent them from rust. Further washing or rinsing in fresh water will also prevent any rusting on the hook. This doesn’t just apply to hooks but also solid rings, split rings, crimps, wire trace and anything metal even lures. Although these other metal items may not have the new superior coatings eliminating rust they still require a wash down.
Over all it is vital with any piece of fishing equipment that it be washed down with freshwater after use. Some thing’s need more care that others and a re-grease won’t go astray. If you keep up to date with looking after your gear, you can be confident that the next time you flick a lure into that snag, that fish of a life time will make it into the boat.
by Jarrod Day
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http://www.powerboat-world.com/index.cfm?nid=90541
10:38 PM Wed 9 Nov 2011 GMT
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