by Captain John Galvin

You have invested hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in your quest for big-game action, and now the season is over until next year. You haul the boat and winterize her for the frigid months that plague the bluewater fishermen here in the Northeast. What about your rods and reels? Your prized tools of the trade need “winterizing” just like your boat. Proper offseason maintenance and storage of rods, reels and line will ensure that they remain in proper working order and are primed for use next fishing season.

There are a few things that you can do yourself to protect your investment. Some maintenance and repair is best left to the experts who work on reels and rods on a daily basis; however what follows are simple tasks that you can do yourself and make for a great way to pass time on a dreary fall day.

To begin you will a few tools and supplies (depending on the reel manufacturer this list may vary):

• Screwdriver: Philips, Allen, Star, and
  Flathead
• Wrench
• White Lithium Grease
• Drag Grease
• WD-40
• Degreaser
• Reel Lube
• White Rags
• Wire Brush
• Toothbrush
• Cotton Swabs

REELS

First step is to strip your line off the reel. Topshots can be discarded by bringing them to a local tackle shop for proper recycling. While dropping off monofilament, ask your tackle shop if they have any empty bulks spools. These large capacity spools are great for storing backing that is still good and makes for easy spooling come springtime. With the reel stripped clean, inspect your spool for any salt buildup and pitting. Clean with toothbrush and WD-40.

Next inspect your handle. Make sure that it spins freely. Clean any salt build up with WD-40 and a toothbrush. “This is a small and commonly overlooked spot,” says Scott Sinclair, first mate aboard the Castafari and former manager of the Fishermen’s Outfitter in Dennis, Massachusetts. “If not attended to during or after the season, it can lead to it freezing up during a fight the following season.”

Following inspection of the handle, one by one, back out the side-plate screws of the reel. Ideally this should be done when you purchase any reel, new or used. If used, inspect for salt residue and build up and thoroughly clean with wire brush. Once clean, or if the reel is new, apply white lithium grease before screwing back into side plate. This helps prevent corrosion on the screws and prevents them from becoming “frozen” so that each year when it is time to winterize or repair the reel, the screws will be easily removed.

It is important that in this next step you pay close attention. Remove the handle side plate of the reel. Visually inspect your gears for salt build up, lubrication and any damage (i.e. broken teeth). Check all moving parts and screws. Using a toothbrush and cotton swabs, clear any old grease and lube and replace with clean product. When reattaching to reel housing, be sure to apply white lithium grease to all side plates screws prior to reinsertion. “Water can be forced inside the reel while running to the grounds and fishing in adverse conditions, that is why it is paramount to inspect the gears and other moving parts of your reel at the culmination of each season,” advises Sinclair. “It is a preventive maintenance step that pays dividends in the long term in regards to the life of your reel.”

Finally using a clean rag, apply a generous coat of Alumaguard or WD-40 to the outside of the reel. This will repel moisture as well as protect and maintain the finish of your reel. When storing your reel, be sure the drag is in free spool and place the reel in a cool, dry place for the winter.

RODS

Big game rods need TLC themselves after a long season of tugging on tuna and mastering marlin. Roller guides, reel seats, removable butts, and roller tips. All play a role in conjunction with your reel to help you achieve success when offshore fishing.

Begin by inspecting and checking all the rollers on your guides for nicks that may harm your line. Do this by running a cotton swab over the guide; if there is a nick it will be evident by cotton fibers stuck to it. Check the rollers to make sure they move freely. If they are stuck, remove the screws and pins and apply lithium grease or blue grease to them. Spray lube will only gum them up.

Another place to inspect for salt build-up is the threads on the reel seat. Using a brush, clean all residue and apply a small amount of white lithium grease to the threads. When mounting your reels for the next season, slap a bit of grease on the area where the reel foot will sit. This will prevent salt from getting trapped underneath during the season and make it easier to remove the reel for any mid-season repair or maintenance that may be needed.

Before storing your rods for the duration of the winter, wipe them all down with some WD-40 to repel any moisture.

If you feel better having a professional service your precious rods and reels, there are a number of shops that specialize in offshore tackle and can perform this work on your gear. Do it sooner rather than later, and you can be sure that you’ll have your gear back in prime working order in time for next year’s bite.