This winter has been unusually mild. It has seemed more like spring than anything. The fish aren’t in their normal patterns, and the water hasn’t gotten as cool as it usually does. But even though we seem to have missed out on winter, spring time fishing is just around the corner. It’s time to start the preventative maintenance and upgrades on those bigger rods and reels.

The little things, like spraying your gear with fresh water after every trip, can help in a big way. If you don’t keep up with regular maintenance, you’ll notice the wraps around your guides start to change color and rust around the edges of the guides. It’s something that is going to happen sooner or later, but a quick freshwater rinse will help prolong the life of your rod and reel. Reels that would usually start to corrode within a year will last a few more years and then some if maintained.