Now that you have been to the Big Sport Show and spent that little nest egg you built up on tackle, rods, reels and accessories it is time to ready for the season.Most men would stuff their new purchase in a cornor and not worry about what they got into until the night before they are to depart on that big trip.Or worse yet bring it with them to do in the tent or the cabin.
The problem with the later is that guys being pack animals tend to hang in clusters upon reaching said destination. Not entirely our fault since most of us will admit that we are poor in staying in touch and the opening weekend is the first we have seen of each other since last season. Beer usually prevails over any preparation for the big day, causing delays in keeping the line wet.
I can think of no better activity this time of year than to hang in the man cave with the doors open and fresh spring breeze blowing through while working on my orginizational skills taught to me by my mother of course,whom can do thirty six things at once and never miss a beat.
So a quick list of the Cave Guy to Do list. Todays topic is rods and reels.
1. Make sure the fridge is in working order and is appropriately stocked for Man meetings.
2. A clean work area is important to us as the alter is to a pastor and a clean operation room is to a surgeon.
3. Start with your rods, Check the eyes and make sure thay are not bent nicked and clean. Bad eyes should be repaired by a skilled rod surgeon. Check the actual rod blank. Rods are made from graphite. Graphite is used on the space shuttle. When a shuttle mission goes into space an inspection is done to make sure the panels are in good shape.Hey, if it is good enough for NASA it is good enogh for me.
Small scratches an knicks can spell trouble in your rod. The rod construction process has changed and we are making some incredibly light blanks but this comes at a price and with some basic knowledge that care and maintinance are needed. Clean the blanks and eyes with a mild solution of warm water amonia,soap all which will help coat and protect the rod and help improve casting.I prefer a cotton rag and light application , wax on wax off.
Check the condition of your cork,foam, carbon handles and reel seats.Clean the handles with a mild cleaning solutin of water and baking soda or amonia based product which will get the bait grease and other materials that have built up off.
If you have not checked your reels now is a good time to add some oil,grease and clean the surface areas which collect all kinds of grit in a season.
Finally, You spent 150-300 on that new space aged rod don't trat it like a Yugo.
Buy a rod sleeve.
Would you leave your vette out in the rain or cover it and put it in the garage.......
Tomorrow we will talk about line.
