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This may be the most important time of the year before we get out and start
fishing in earnest. While we are thinking of the fish that we will encounter
and the good times ahead this is the time we need to do some basic maintenance
on the equipment that will make our outings more enjoyable. What we need to
do is make a list of what we need to do.
First we need to look at each piece of equipment that we use and do some
basic maintenance on each piece. First we need to look at our reels, I like to
strip all the line and start cleaning them with freshwater, wiping them down
with a damp cloth and using a brush to remove dirt from hard to get at areas.
Next I will take apart the reels and (don't do this unless you are familiar
with taking apart your reels) start checking the internal parts to see if they
need to be greased and oiled. Most reels only need to be oiled with a drop or
two of oil and a dab of grease. If you need to clean out the internal workings
of the reel use a good cleaning fluid to wash out the old oils, grease, dirt,
and grit. Always use protective clothing including goggles and rubber gloves
and protective mask for vapors and mist (keep away from heat or flame, no
smoking). Once the reel is clean, you need to dry it out before oiling and greasing
it. After oiling the reel and greasing the internal parts, put it back
together and check all the functions of the reel to make sure it is working
properly. Like I said only clean your reels out like this if you are familiar with
doing this, if not you may need to take it to a local dealer or repair shop for a
pit stop before the season starts. Before putting the line on the reel I like
to check the rod out that I will be putting the reel on.
First I give the rod an overall check looking for loose guides, tips, butt
cap, and grips. Butt caps and grips can be put back with some epoxy, the
guides may need to be coated with varnish or rewrapped and varnished. The tip can
be secured with some rod tip glue, which is heated with a lighter or a match
and when melted can be wiped on the rod end and then securing the tip fast
before the glue hardens (make sure the tip is positioned so it is inline with the
guides) most good tackle shops can do this for you for a nominal fee. Next you
will want to check the guides for nicks and broken ceramic guides. You can
take a cotton swab and run it around each individual guide looking for pieces of
cotton that gets stuck on any imperfection. Also give the guides a good
visual inspection while you run the cotton swabs over them. Replace the guides that
need to be replaced and your ready to go (Replace them if you know what you
are doing or have them replaced professionally).
Next you will want to respool your reel with fresh line. I start by tying
an arbor not to the reel and have someone (a friend, wife, kid) hold the spool
of line with a pencil through the middle. Have them put a little tension on
the spool as you are reeling and reel in enough line not to over spool your
reel. One thing further I will do is either go to a field and pull off 50 to a 100
yards of line from the reel in a straight line to make it easy to reel back
up or when fishing in a boat pull the same amount off and reel in the line
using two fingers on the line for tension. This will help avoid line twist
problems. Only do this if there is no one around so they don't get tangled in your
line and the same goes for this while on a boat, a boat can easily cut the line
with a prop or it can entangle on the prop. Use common sense if you are going
to do this.
Now we can look at our fishing lures and accessories. First we need to
check the lures hooks, looking for dull, damaged, bent hooks. The easiest thing
to do is to replace the hooks with new ones. If not, sharpening the hooks is
the other way to go. there are a number of devices sold on the market for doing
this, some are electrically operated others are to be used by hand. I carry a
sharpening stone on me while fishing just in case I have to sharpen a hook on
the water. Split rings may also have to be replaced and the use of split ring
pliers makes the job a whole lot easier. On your jigs and spinnerbaits you may
have to replace your skirts because the rubberband that holds the rubber or
silicone skirts together gets dry rotted.
This is also a good time to get your fishing tackle organized for the
season. Sometimes I put tackle together for a specific lake or put tackle together
for a particular species of fish.
Just put in a little time now and it will save you a lot of time and avoid
problems when your on the water.
Take care until next time, Fishing from the
bank.
John Toska
(Bass601)
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