Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 07:20:29 -0400

Subject: Drifting Easy article on "Caring for your new Rod and Reel"

Drifting Easy by Sue Foster

	"I just bought a new rod and reel and have no idea how to take care of
it!"

	Saltwater rods and reels are quite durable but they will last longer if
you take the time to follow a few basic rules of thumb.  If you do
nothing else to your rod and reel be sure to wash it off with fresh
water when you come in from fishing.  Even if you think no salt water is
on your rod and reel, wash it off.  Salt spray, sand, bait juice, and
the salt water dripping from your line will get some salt on your rod,
reel, and line.  Use a light spray from the garden hose or shower.  Do
not use a hard driving spray or you may drive water inside the reel
where it does not belong.  Wipe down the outfit with a dry cloth, or
simply let the outfit dry in the sun. 

 	"Should I oil my reels?"

	Occasionally, you should use some light lubricant such as WD-40 or CRC
on the joints of your reel.  These places are the spots that "move" such
as the bail, the line roller, and the handle.  Spray the joints of the
bail and move it back and forth to make it work better.  Wipe any salt
build-up off the bail joints.  Bail joints are a weak point on any
reel.  If corrosion happens here, the reel is more likely to break at
the bail if the reel is accidentally dropped. If there is salt building
up on the line roller, it is especially important to spray the line
roller and use your finger to make it roll.  (If the line roller gets
salted up and quits rolling, a groove will wear in the metal and then
wear on your line.)  Sometimes it is necessary to take the line roller
mechanism apart and clean it.  After using the light lubricant to clean
the roller, you can use a silicone oil or Super Lube on the line roller
mechanism.  Wipe all the excess oil off so it does not attract sand.

Always wipe any excess oil off the outside of your reel so it does not
attract sand.  Also, it is not necessary to oil your drags.  Many
anglers like to drop oil in their drags or underneath their spools. 
This attracts sand in salt water fishing which causes more problems in
the long run.  If you want to clean your drags, it is best to take the
drag washers out of the spool of the reel (on a top drag spinning reel)
and wipe them off one by one, and then simply put them back.   Wiping
the salt and dirt off the drag washers will make the drag work better. 
Always store your reel with a "loose" drag so your washers do not get
compressed or stuck together over a period of time.

	"I just bought a surf rod and reel.  What should I do to maintain my
new surf combo?"

	Do all of the above, and remember that prevention is the best cure.  Be
careful to not submerge your rod and reel in the salt water.  If this
accidentally happens, wash it off in fresh water right away.  Never wash
off your reel in the ocean, even if it falls in the sand.  This is the
number one  "don't do" you should be sure to tell your kids and friends
that may borrow your surf rod and reel.  Always use a sand spike so you
can take off fish, put on fresh bait, and take your rigs on and off
without lying your surf outfit on the beach. 

	Check underneath the spool of your reel occasionally.  This is where
you may get some build-up of sand that you do not see.  If sand gets
inside the reel, you can get into real trouble.  Salt and sand inside
your reel can make everything slow down.  Your reel may get hard to turn
or your anti-reverse may quit working. (The reel turns both ways even
when locked.)

	If you are not mechanically inclined, you should take your reel to a
tackle shop that does rod and reel repair.  Unfortunately, in the peak
of summer season, you will probably have to wait several days for your
reel.  If you are mechanically inclined, take off the handle and then
the three or four side screws of your spinning reel.  Be careful that no
parts fall out.  Spray the inside with WD-40 or CRC and let the light
lubricant run towards the head of the reel. (Where the spool sits.) 
Doing this will get lubricant working into the pinion gear and the
bearing between the spool and the pinion gear.  Try to flush out all
salt and sand with the light lubricant and then work some heavier oil
onto the gears and up into the head (rotor) of the reel. Use a silicone
oil, Super Lube, or Penn Lube.  Do not use heavy grease on a spinning
reel or it may bind up.   Keep turning the rotor of the reel and feel it
working freer.  Put the reel back together. 

	If your anti-reverse is not working, you have to totally take the reel
apart as this mechanism is inside the rotor.  (You have to take the main
shaft out and remove the rotor.) Be sure your are mechanically inclined
and that you have the reel's part's schematic in front of you before
taking a reel totally apart.  I would suggest a reel mechanic if your
anti-reverse quits working.

	"My tip of my rod is broke."

	The tip (the very end of your fishing rod) is very vulnerable,
especially while traveling.  Tips get broken under-foot, in car trunks,
or in swinging doors.  They also wear from lots of fishing.  Most tackle
stores can fix a tip on the spot by simply heating off the old tip and
putting on a new one with furrel cement or crazy glue.  Guides are more
complicated and have to be left at a rod and reel repair center for
several days.  Guides are replaced with thread and several layers of rod
finish.  If you are in a hurry, you can buy a guide and tape it on with
"rod tape" or any electrical tape or plastic tape. 

	"The line on my spinning reel is caught underneath the spool
somewhere!"

	This happens all the time, especially when a reel is new or has just
gotten new line.  Remove the drag knob, lift off the spool, and untangle
the line beneath.  If you have too much line on your spool (which is why
this happens in the first place) take some off.   (If you have a pop off
spool, do not take off the drag knob, simply push the button on top of
the drag knob and the whole spool will come off.)

	"My kid's push-button reel is jammed up!"

	Push-button reels get jammed up easily.  Take off the outer cover,
unscrew the nut underneath, and remove the flat cover.  You should see
line tangled up here.  Pull off this line, and reassemble the reel. 
Hold the reel carefully, so other parts do not start falling out of the
reel. Push-button reels are great for small children under 6 years old
but do not stand up to salt and sand.  If you use one of these on the
beach, do not expect it to last over one season.  Keep it out of the
sand and wash it off with fresh water when returning.

	"How often should I change my line on my reels?"

	Anglers that fish often change their line once or twice a year.  If you
only fish once in a while every year or two is fine.  Run the line
between your index finger and thumb.  If it feels nicked, stretched, or
kinked it is time to change it.  If you tie on a swivel and pull it hard
and the line breaks, it is definitely time to change your line.  

	Taking care of your equipment is not hard.  Just wash off your
equipment with fresh water, use a little light lubricant from time to
time, and watch for salt build-up or corrosion.  Store your rods and
reels in your house or garage if possible, as opposed to a shed or
underneath the house (not good.)  Rear drag reels should be stored
hanging horizontal, rather than vertical as any water that gets inside
will sit in the rear drag washers and corrode them over time. 

	Good fishing….
    
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Previous 'Drifting Easy' issues: 
 Flounder Fishing  Surf Fishing  Tautog Fishing  Party/Head Boat  Catching Crabs 
 Trout & Kings surf fishing  Catching Flounder  Crabbing & Clamming  Bay Fishing
 Choosing Rod & Reels  Catching Spot  Catching Live Bait  Take a Kid Fishing