Fishing rods can be an expensive investment. Sure, there are cheap options for beginners or casual anglers that will only cost $20-50. But if you’re reading this, you have likely invested more in your rods and care enough to make sure they last. Check out this article with some of the most expensive fishing rods currently on the market.
So, if you are spending a few hundred (or thousand) dollars on your fishing rod, you will want to make sure you are doing your best to take care of your investment. There are several relatively easy ways to take care of your fishing rods.
Check and Maintain the Guides
Many seasoned anglers will tell you that a misaligned guide won’t affect your casting and you won’t notice a difference. But what you aren’t noticing is the subtle wear it will have on your line as you repeatedly cast. Misaligned guides will cause more friction on the line and increase the likelihood of it breaking.
Check if there are nicks on your guides. These can cause your line to get snagged or wear and increases the chances of the line breaking when you have a fish on. Do a visual examination or pass a small cotton ball through the guide. If there is a nick, the cotton ball will get snagged on it. If you find a minor nick, try sanding with a fine grain sandpaper. If you can’t get the nick out with sandpaper, replace the guide.
Check for rust on the guides. This is another defect that will corrode the guides and cause them to damage your line. You will find many comment threads online that suggest different cleaning methods. But these are all cosmetic solutions that will not actually prevent rust from continuing to build up. If you find rust on your guide, replace it.
Minimize Hitting Hard Surfaces
It’s easy to lay your fishing rod against a boat ledge, rock, or other surface while you’re fishing to make it easy to grab. But each time you do this, you risk causing nicks and scratches.
Fishing rods are typically made from fiberglass, graphite, composite, metal, or bamboo. None of these materials are indestructible and some are more fragile than others. Each bit of damage that occurs to the material causes a fault in its structure and makes it more likely to break when experiencing high tension. For example, when you have a strong fish on.
Wear Gloves for Cork
If your fishing rod has a cork grip handle, wear gloves while using it. The oil from your hands will expedite the cork breaking down.
Clean the Fishing Rod Regularly
Use a soft or microfiber cloth with lukewarm water and vinegar or mild detergent to clean your fishing rod. This should be done after every use. Your rod is exposed to everything nature has to offer while you are out on the water.
If you have been fishing in saltwater, take extra special care to ensure you have cleaned every part of your fishing rod, as well as all your gear. The saltwater will cause extra corrosion if proper cleaning is not done right after fishing.
Store Fishing Rods Properly
The worst thing you can do is leave your fishing rods lying on the ground or leaning against a wall. This will expose your fishing rods to dirt and grime that can cause damage, and it may cause curvature if stored bent.
Store your fishing rods on rod racks that allow them to sit vertically or horizontally off the ground. This removes them from elements on the floor and reduces the risk of damage. Also loosen the drag in your reel so the line does not pull on the fishing rod.
Big Daddy Fishing Rod Racks have a universal mounting system and can be mounted horizontally or vertically on your wall or ceiling. Most fishing rods can fit in a Big Daddy Fishing Rod Rack. The opening of the notch to insert your fishing rods is 13/16” and the diameter of the holes are 1 ¾”.
Find the right Big Daddy Fishing Rod Rack for your space. Shop here.