Fishing: Time to service gear and practise knots

By PETER JESSUP

Mid-winter: screaming winds, high swells, it's cold and the fish are about as keen on feeding as you are at getting up early and getting wet.

So it's a great time of year to service your gear. Practise those knots you want to get proficient at or want to teach the kids so they can tie their own next summer.

Well-used line should be replaced. It's not that expensive any more, and it does deteriorate while sitting around, especially if that has been preceded by long exposure to sun and salt water and the hard work, stretch and twist involved in fighting fish.

Otherwise, pull out more line than was used during fishing while wiping it through a wet cloth to remove salt. It's also a good time to check for damage.

The following tips on reel maintenance come from Jeff Murray, a national casting champion, who services reels for several major brand dealers including Abu Garcia, Shimano and Penn.

After fishing, remove the reel from the rod. Wash the rod and guides with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, and scrub the neoprene handles with a brush to remove bait, blood and scales. When dry, wipe the guides with a cloth sprayed with CRC and check for damage - the spray will show up hairline cracks in ceramic guides and peeling or flaking of chrome guides.

Do the reel drag up and wash it under warm water from a mixer tap or with a soft cloth. Remove encrusted salt, scales etc, with a toothbrush. Shake and spin the reel to remove excess water, then wipe it down with a cloth sprayed with CRC, WD40 or similar.

Oil the spindle that holds the handle. With game reels, undo the side plate screws, grease and replace to prevent any corrosive "welding" and ensure easy removal in future.

Reels should be stored in a dry place in a cloth bag.

They should not be kept in plastic bags or air-tight containers, where they might sweat and rust.

The main problem with reels is worn drag washers, which can bite, running too quickly one second then grabbing the next - it's a sure recipe for losing fish. The fibre washers lose surface. Sometimes grease, oil or water between the washers can be a problem.

Murray completes a full service including change of washers for around $25 for a standard overhead or spinning reel. Baitrunners and more complex models cost more and any parts are extra. Game reels run from $30 to $45.

He recommends spending around $250-$350 for a good, reliable rod and reel that will give service for some years and obviously is a fan of those reels he services for marketers, plus the Daiwa.

* Murray can be contacted on Auckland 817-6591 or by email