How to clean/maintain rod and reels after each trip? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

rxfletes · 05-13-2013, 07:33 AM

After every trip I wash down all my rods with a car soapy mix and a soft spongy. Then air dry them in the back yard. I do this as soon as I get home, I think not waiting is the key. 8 years out my gear still looks good. I always have a fresh bottle of water on hand to wash down the reels as soon as I am done. Then a quick swipe down. This is what works for me hope it helps.

addicted2sp33d · 05-13-2013, 07:50 AM

Yes. I think immediate wash-down is critical. In places where it's available, I will immediately rinse my equipment (but not dunk) with freshwater, then wipe-dry as best I can.

Once I get home, I'll do a more detailed cleaning.

I typically don't get any salt penetration into the actual mechanics of my spinning gear, so a wet-towel wipedown is typically sufficient.

As for the line (braid), I take the spool off the reel and run a slow trickle of water over the line (never dunking), occasionally tasting to see if it's still salty. When it doesn't taste salty anymore, I just wipe off as much as I can, and leave the spool somewhere warm so it can dry out.

I guess with this methodology I never really clean the drag discs.

bus kid · 05-13-2013, 10:01 AM

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Baja_Traveler · 05-13-2013, 11:38 AM

I just leave my reels in the rod slots of the PA and hose them down along with the yak. I always use the "Shower" setting on the hose no matter what I'm washing. After they dry I give them a quick shot with Salt Stop, along with the gaff, my pliers and deck knife...

Raskal311 · 05-13-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

I just leave my reels in the rod slots of the PA and hose them down along with the yak. I always use the "Shower" setting on the hose no matter what I'm washing. After they dry I give them a quick shot with Salt Stop, along with the gaff, my pliers and deck knife...

Pretty much what i've done in the past; lay the rods next to the PA and hose them down together.

lowprofile · 05-13-2013, 02:49 PM

i dunk them in fresh water and let them dry. greased carbon drags and tighten them down so no water gets in there.

keep a couple gallons of distilled water on you for extended trips.

Raskal311 · 05-13-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bus kid

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Booked marked !

FlyFishinYakr · 05-14-2013, 02:13 AM

Depending on how many days I'm out will depend on how thoroughly I clean my equipment.
All my gear is conventional gear. On my 5-8 day trips and longer I hose down rods with a power washer. Trolling rods with roller guides are torn down, cleaned & lubed, all reels are torn down degreased then bearings properly oiled & gears lubed again, then put back together paying special attention to grease the screws so they don't corrode inside.

Everything shorter than that will depend on how the fishing was. A dirty boat will be hosed by the deckhands. Rods in the rod holders are bound to get sprayed to some extent depending on how much blood is on the deck! I would thoroughly hose down the rods with the reels removed try to get water hosed in the reel hoods to rinse out any excess saltwater. Then as mentioned by a previous member grease drag reel need to be locked down to keep out unnecessary water, I try to force water in any seams or dunk the reel in a bucket of fresh water and crank the handle a couple times to force out any saltwater that may be still in the reel (I like to do this a couple times to make sure the reel is as clean as possible without having to tear down each reel).

FFY

05-13-2013, 10:01 AM	#3
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	www.alantani.com __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

05-13-2013, 02:49 PM	#6
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	i dunk them in fresh water and let them dry. greased carbon drags and tighten them down so no water gets in there. keep a couple gallons of distilled water on you for extended trips. __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

05-13-2013, 07:33 AM	#1
rxfletes Junior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 8	After every trip I wash down all my rods with a car soapy mix and a soft spongy. Then air dry them in the back yard. I do this as soon as I get home, I think not waiting is the key. 8 years out my gear still looks good. I always have a fresh bottle of water on hand to wash down the reels as soon as I am done. Then a quick swipe down. This is what works for me hope it helps.

05-13-2013, 07:50 AM	#2
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Yes. I think immediate wash-down is critical. In places where it's available, I will immediately rinse my equipment (but not dunk) with freshwater, then wipe-dry as best I can. Once I get home, I'll do a more detailed cleaning. I typically don't get any salt penetration into the actual mechanics of my spinning gear, so a wet-towel wipedown is typically sufficient. As for the line (braid), I take the spool off the reel and run a slow trickle of water over the line (never dunking), occasionally tasting to see if it's still salty. When it doesn't taste salty anymore, I just wipe off as much as I can, and leave the spool somewhere warm so it can dry out. I guess with this methodology I never really clean the drag discs.

05-13-2013, 11:38 AM	#4
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	I just leave my reels in the rod slots of the PA and hose them down along with the yak. I always use the "Shower" setting on the hose no matter what I'm washing. After they dry I give them a quick shot with Salt Stop, along with the gaff, my pliers and deck knife...

05-14-2013, 02:13 AM	#8
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	Depending on how many days I'm out will depend on how thoroughly I clean my equipment. All my gear is conventional gear. On my 5-8 day trips and longer I hose down rods with a power washer. Trolling rods with roller guides are torn down, cleaned & lubed, all reels are torn down degreased then bearings properly oiled & gears lubed again, then put back together paying special attention to grease the screws so they don't corrode inside. Everything shorter than that will depend on how the fishing was. A dirty boat will be hosed by the deckhands. Rods in the rod holders are bound to get sprayed to some extent depending on how much blood is on the deck! I would thoroughly hose down the rods with the reels removed try to get water hosed in the reel hoods to rinse out any excess saltwater. Then as mentioned by a previous member grease drag reel need to be locked down to keep out unnecessary water, I try to force water in any seams or dunk the reel in a bucket of fresh water and crank the handle a couple times to force out any saltwater that may be still in the reel (I like to do this a couple times to make sure the reel is as clean as possible without having to tear down each reel). FFY