Taking Care of Your Fishing Rods

It's essential to always take care of your fly rods, spinning and lure fishing rods to preserve lifespan and avoid any unnecessary damage that could spoil your fishing experience or leave you void of any warranty.

Top tips for taking care of your fishing rods

When threading your fly line through the rod rings, loop the end over and carefully pass the loop through all the rod rings in turn avoiding bending the rod tip as this could lead to breakage.
If your line is ever caught, don't force it loose by using the rod. Always pull on the line gently with your hands or, if river fishing, you can use the water current to help.
Don't bend your rod at extreme angles over a short distance. The rod is designed to bend throughout its complete length and this can lead to breakage.
Never lift fish out of the water with your rod - always use a net.
Try not to lean your rod up against an open car door or boot - someone is sure to close the door on it! Never place a rod on the ground as someone is sure to stand on it!
Always transport the rod in its rod tube.
To protect the rod tip, it’s best to bag your rod with the rod tip top and cork handle facing upwards.
Avoid knocking your rod against hard surfaces. Small scratches and nicks may cause rod breakage.
Keep your reel seat clean from dirt and grit. After every fishing trip wash your rod with lukewarm soapy water and dry with a clean, soft cloth. Also take good care of the guides by using an old toothbrush. Dirty guides will have a negative influence on casting performance.
Always rinse all metal parts on the rod in fresh water after use in salt or brackish water.
Regularly treat the ferrules with candle wax. This makes it easier to separate the parts and helps to protect the carbon from wearing out prematurely.
Once the rod is completely free from dirt and grime and thoroughly dry, spray it with a plastic renovator or furnishing spray. You can also apply a very light coating of fine oil on the reel seat.
Never use tools to take apart fastened joints. Big temperature changes make the carbon expand and get stuck. Disassemble the rod after each fishing trip to avoid this happening. If joints are stuck, Sportfish's top tip is to place a frozen pack of peas or something similar and leave for five mins. This allows the blank to cool and the sections will come apart from easier.
Store the rod in a dry environment when not in use.