Fishing is not just a passion but an obsession for some of us. We do not admit that in public in fear of being considered as a weirdo or whatever, but it is what it is. You have been fishing all this while, you can even tell the difference between your fishing rods and fishing reels even without looking!

It is very important to keep your fishing equipments in a good condition in order for them to last longer. We all know how important it is to clean the saltwater fishing tackles thoroughly so that the salt does not erode the costly gears. But it should not be assumed that freshwater fishing tackle maintenance should be taken lightly. They need equal care and proper maintenance so that you can take your favorite fishing rod and reel to the next fishing trip and even after that.

Ideally you should clean the rods after every use. And cleaning does not mean just a wash; it rather implies a thorough cleaning. Putting a light coat of reel grease on the insides on a regular basis will ensure that your equipments last longer. You can also use machine oil on the outside.

Careful handling is a must when it comes to fishing rods and reels. Just dropping it could cause a lot of damage. Checking if the alignment of your bail will tell you if you have a broken bail and that is the reason behind it not functioning properly. The reel must sit properly and squarely at the end, where it attaches to the reel.

If your rod guides have groves in them, it will cut your line-especially if you have metal guides. You are relieved that you don not have a metal guide but a ceramic guide so there are no chances the line will cut into them? Wrong. Ceramic guides could also get cracks with prolonged use and they will cut your line if you are fighting a big fish.

It is important to remove the fishing reel from the fishing rod. And along with it is imperative that you use a small set of screwdrivers from a hardware store. If you are thinking pliers would work well and you already have a set of screw drivers at home for all the odd jobs, it is not so. The pliers can ruin the finish and damage the small parts of a reel.

There is so no and fast rule that you have to clean your fishing rods and reels if you are mechanically challenged. Not all of us can dismantle an entire thing and then put it back together just as new. Reel cleaning is offered by many a sporting goods store. You can send them off and get some professional help cleaning them. The little money you will spend on the service charge will ensure that your fishing reels are all up and running properly for years and years.

Apart from all these instructions, keep in mind that you have to prepare a work are if you are doing the cleaning. Make sure the small parts do not roll down from the edge of the table. Use a cloth to making a ridge along the edge. Never use a hose or any form of pressurized water while cleaning the reels. Hot soap water are the best suited in this regard. Before lubricating the rods and assembling them, use a hair dryer to dry them.   

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/freshwater-fishing-rod-and-reel-maintenance-5391861.html

Allan Simons is a fishing enthusiast from Australia. He write articles about all the various things involved in fishing.