Do My Fishing Rods Need Maintenance?

After a year long of fishing, whether your an everyday angler or just a weekend puddle jumper, your fishing rods take some abuse. Most anglers take care of their fishing reels, but most anglers do not even think about caring for their rods. Fishing rods need maintenance just as much as your reels or other gear.

Spring is a great time to clean up and inspect your fishing rods as waters clear and you prepare for peak fishing season. Clean the guides, inside and out, with a q-tip to remove any gunk that can build up and damage your fishing line. This is especially important with fly rods as mineral deposits and debris can cut through your fly line. For heavy dirt, dish soap or WD-40 works well. Use a light rubbing alcohol and water solution to clean the handles and reel mounting hardware. This removes any fish slime, dirt and the occasional lunch drip from your rod so that your hand is not stuck to your handle for your next cast. Finally after cleaning, store your rods properly. Use rod sleeves or storage cases to protect them from damage and additional dirt and grim. Maintain your fishing rods and they will last longer, giving you more days from the house to water.