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task, but you would be surprised at how many anglers simply don’t.
“It doesn’t matter where you fish, there are always minerals and stuff in the water,” said Albright. “A lot of guys use spectra (line) and when they reel it in, it goes through grass and algae and it drips from the reel and into the reel seat and onto the cork.”
Oils from your hands and fish slime can darken the appearance and change the feel of cork. Gently clean the cork with a mild dish soap or a commercial product such as Safe & Easy All Purpose Cleaner.
As a finishing touch, apply a light application of non-abrasive carnauba wax to the blank. This will not only add a layer of protection to the finish but will also make your rod shine like new.
STORE IT RIGHT
When stowing your rods in a bass boat rod locker, the use of a quality rod sleeve is good practice. Not only will a rod sleeve eliminate tangles, but they also slide more easily in and out of rod locker tubes and
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offer protection for the blank and guides. An added benefit is that rod sleeves come in a variety of colors which can be a plus for organizing rods.
Before returning your rods to your rod locker, make sure they are not wet. Water can cause the epoxy clear coat to fog and become cloudy. Cork that is saturated with moisture can develop an unpleasant mold as well. Drying your rods can extended their useful life.
Off the water, store your rods in a vertical rod rack. Leaning your rods in the corner of your shop or garage can lead to accidental damage. Rods that are stored with a bend in the blank can “take a set” and ruin the rod, this is especially true with fiberglass.
Keeping your rods in good working order requires only a minimal amount of time and effort. The reward is that your equipment will not only look better but will last longer and provide years on the water.
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