Cleaning our fishing kit is a chore we’re all guilty of putting off, but it can mean the difference between landing and losing the fish of your dreams. A spot of maintenance now could prevent your reel from seizing at just the wrong moment six months down the line, or stop your pole elastic from twanging heartbreakingly close to reeling in a personal best.
Clean handles and scrub reel seats
Cork handles and Fuji-type carp reel seats can both be cleaned with soap and a brush. Over the course of a season the perfect place for dirt to accumulate is in the grooved thread of your reel seat. Groundbait has a particular tendency to linger here, but mud and sodden fishing pellets will also naturally make their home in the section of your rod that is most frequently handled.
A simple clean with a brush and soapy water will do your rods the world of good, making sure the threads and clamps that hold your reels in place don’t seize or rust. An old toothbrush is a good alternative to a brush, and can help you chisel out the most stubborn dirt.
ROD BEYOND REPAIR AND YOU NEED A NEW ONE? CHECK OUT OUR BUYERS GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING RODS.
Remove rod blank rubbish
Mud and dried scum from the surface of the water can stick to your rod blanks and become tough to remove if it’s baked in the sun.
Getting rid of these deposits isn’t just about making your rods look presentable again, although there is something satisfying about that element of the job. It can also prevent tangles and crack-offs that occur if your line snags on something stuck to the blank.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING ONE OF THE BEST FISHING LINES TO HELP REDUCE CRACK OFF'S AND TANGLES.
Tighten spigots
If the spigots on your fishing rods have become a little loose-fitting through use (or abuse!), then a crafty trick is to give the male part of the spigot a quick rub with a candle. Beeswax is best, if you can get it. This will help to make the fitting snug once again.
THE BEST FISHING GADGETS INCLUDE ITEMS THAT HELP KEEP YOUR TACKLE WELL MAINTAINED.
Wash down your pole
The first job is to make sure there is no dirt inside the pole sections, as this can lead to damage when putting your pole together. What many top match anglers do is take the broken-down sections and put them in a bath of hot soapy water for a clean. Others use the showerhead to flush out any dirt. Once they’ve dried, you can give them a wipe down with a silicone based polish.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO UPGRADE OR INVEST IN A POLE, MAKES SURE YOU READ OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING POLES.
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