Rod & Reels Maintenance

Right! Fishing this weekend. You got the trip planned with your buddies. You're excited about the trip but it is still weekday. Probably a few more days to go but you just can't wait. You have to do something. Most anglers go through that feeling of anxiety. I know, because I have that feeling all the time!

Most anglers would pick up their rod, hold it up & imagine reeling in a fish or casting a lure. We all have that habit. Now, instead of imagining, here are some things better to do than just holding it up. Here are some pointers on how to get your rod and reel in tip top condition in preparation for the coming trip.

Service your line

I can't emphasize the importance of this part of maintenance. Even if you don't want to replace the line, make sure you de-spool it onto a plastic spool & soak it in clean water to wash it, I recommend soaking them in warm tea. Dirty lines contributes to short distance casting. Whether you are baitfishing or casting, clean line will always cast better & smoother, period. Next, re-spool your line back onto the reel. Make sure to give fairly tight pressure when spooling. More so for braided lines as you want the line to stack nicely, evenly & uniformly onto the spool. This will minimize the dreaded "bird's nest" problem, or more popularly called "beehon goreng" by locals. For those who prefer to have a leader, especially for braided line, remember to check the condition of the leader. Make sure the connection between leader & mainline is tight & in good condition. Re-tie the knot if you don't feel confident. Next, check the condition of the leader. If it is frayed, dented or in bad shape, replace it altogether.

Notice how tidy the line is stacked onto the spool?

If your line is in bad shape & you're on a tight budget, instead of replacing the line, you could actually, rotate the line from front to back. This means, remove your line onto a plastic spool, then from the spool, remove it again onto a second plastic spool. This will effectively turn the front of the line to the back.

Lubricate your reel

This is very important for casters. If you wish to have a smooth reeling reel, you need to ensure all the moving parts on your reel is lubricated. I can tell you, I have been thoroughly annoyed, myself and even my fishing buddies, in fact, it is a little disgraceful to be fishing with a squeaky, cranky, noisy reel. Do yourself a favor, oil your reel & keep it clean. Reason is, after a few trips, especially after some abuse, your reel would start to accumulate dust, sand & dirt. The moving parts, especially the shaft, gears & drag would have some dirt in it. A well maintained reel is a joy to use. Trust me, you will feel happier fishing with it.

Deuthlon reel lube, supplied by Sea Tackle Malaysia.

It would also be advisable, to remove your drag washers to inspect them. Make sure they are clean & again, lightly lubricated. Reason to ensure the drags are clean is because, when you are fighting with a fish & the whopper is struggling, the drags are constantly at work to buffer the pressure on the mainline. A jerky drag will cause unnecessary line wear & tear, in fact, a jerky drag may even risk snapping the line. When you are fighting with a whopper, the drag washers would accumulate heat & this could damage them. Again, lightly lubricate your drag washers to prevent overheating.

Inspect line guides

Your line's movement is managed by the guide rings. Always ensure they are clean & there are no dents, chipping or cracks. Use your finger to feel each guide ring to detect any of the above mentioned damages. Most of today's modern guide's inner rings are made from ceramic so they should always be smooth. The reason for this is to prevent line damage. A damaged guide ring will also result in shorter casts due to the added friction on the ring surface. If you do detect a crack or damage, send it to the tackle shop to replace. It usually cost around MYR 12 to 15, depending on quality & size, to replace a line guide.

Check those rings thoroughly.

While you are checking the guide rings, check the guide's leg too if they are well secured onto the rod. Some old rods, especially those that had been subjected to much abuse may have signs of cracks on the glue surface. Again, if you detect any such damages, do send it to tackle shop for repairs. Also, make sure the rod tip is in clean working condition too or else, you be losing fish & going home disappointed.

Well, that's about it.

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