Taking care of your fishing tackle is more important now than ever. Most of my tackle is ten years old or older. And it's in great shape because I take care of it. Here are some tips on cleaning your rods and reels after a fishing trip.
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I read an article – I think in FL Sportsman – many, many years ago about how some soap, especially bleach, can be harmful to plastic parts and drags in reels. I’ve always – successfully – used only fresh water to wash down rods and reels ever since I read that article.
Michael, I mix one cup of Fantastic or Formula 409 to a 2 gallon bucket of water and add one cup of bleach. I have been washing my boat with this mixture – and a scrub brush – for as many years as I can remember. I also use the left over in the bucket and a softer brush to wash my rods and reels – and honestly, I have seen no issue with deterioration. Some of my rods and reels are well over 20 years old and no problems. Of course I do grease and oil them opn a regular basis as well. So – I’m not sure about the bleach hurting. It does wonders for fish blood, scum, salt and killing any fishy odors on the boat though!
I have to admit, this is not my forte when I return from a fishing trip. I do try to at least rinse my gear off with fresh water, but I have never used soap or a brush on the gear. I guess I should give it a shot and just try to get better at this. One of my oldest reels is starting to sound a little funny, my wife was using it last week and said I need to grease it, I don’t think I’ve ever torn it apart other than remove the spool a few weeks ago. Thanks for the post, keep em coming!