How do you treat your combos? 2024
Drug Coder reply :
I was watching some coverage of the Forest Wood Cup this past weekend and saw several pros throwing their combos down when they lost a fish. Now I know that for them to be fishing at that level they surely have a nice stock of combos to fall back on, but why risk screwing one up? I just cringe when they do thinking I just wish I could afford to have a few extras of what they're throwing around...
I don't treat my combos like they're fine china or something but I'm not slamming them around when I lose a fish. I know I don't have as much riding on it as they do either.
So, how do you treat your combos?
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Theres a different way you handle your rods when YOU pay for them. Most of those guys have sponsorship deals with a rod and or reel manufacturer.
BASSclary reply :
Like they're extremely brittle china.
Why do the pro's do it ? Obviously because they can. They just get more rods.
Stasher1 reply :
To a professional fisherman, they're just tools. How gentle are you when you put your screwdrivers or wrenches back in the toolbox?
Goose52 reply :
I handle them with utmost care when taking them from the trunk of the car (just about the most dangerous event for a rod).
I handle them with great care when putting them in the boat, and taking them out of the boat.
I handle them with the "best care under the circumstances" when actually fishing with them from the boat or the bank. No matter how careful you are, you will end up with some type of boat-rash (or the shorebound equivalent - "bank-rash"). In my canoe, I have a Scotty rod holder right next to my seat that I place the rod in as soon as I boat a fish (so I'm not laying it across the gunwale or just plopping in down in the bottom of the canoe). From the bank, you just have no reasonable choice but to lay it on the bank as you're removing the fish from the bait and returning it to the water - and you hope you don't step on your rod... ;D
BASSclary reply :
QuoteI handle them with utmost care when taking them from the trunk of the car (just about the most dangerous event for a rod).I handle them with great care when putting them in the boat, and taking them out of the boat.
I handle them with the "best care under the circumstances" when actually fishing with them from the boat or the bank. No matter how careful you are, you will end up with some type of boat-rash (or the shorebound equivalent - "bank-rash"). In my canoe, I have a Scotty rod holder right next to my seat that I place the rod in as soon as I boat a fish (so I'm not laying it across the gunwale or just plopping in down in the bottom of the canoe). From the bank, you just have no reasonable choice but to lay it on the bank as you're removing the fish from the bait and returning it to the water - and you hope you don't step on your rod... ;D
I stick my rod under my arm pit while I unhook a fish.
Aluma-Bass reply :
i dont care for mine like i should :-/...but then again...i dont have $800 setups either 
Drug Coder reply :
QuoteTheres a different way you handle your rods when YOU pay for them. Most of those guys have sponsorship deals with a rod and or reel manufacturer.
I certainly agree with that. I guess I just hate to see the abuse when there are plenty of us that would love to have what they don't appreciate.
bilgerat reply :
QuoteTo a professional fisherman, they're just tools. How gentle are you when you put your screwdrivers or wrenches back in the toolbox?
;D You should see my toolbox after a 14 hour day.
I fish my stuff hard. It's not fine art on display. I treat my gear with reasonable care. All of my reels have some degree of rash. I take care not to bang my rods around. Every winter all reels get stripped to the frame. All rods get a bath. Rods and reels get a coat of car wax. Reels go away in a soft six pack cooler, rods get stored in a rod rack I made from PVC that stores them upright. My rods never lean against a wall.
Goose52 reply :
QuoteQuoteI handle them with utmost care when taking them from the trunk of the car (just about the most dangerous event for a rod).I handle them with great care when putting them in the boat, and taking them out of the boat.
I handle them with the "best care under the circumstances" when actually fishing with them from the boat or the bank. No matter how careful you are, you will end up with some type of boat-rash (or the shorebound equivalent - "bank-rash"). In my canoe, I have a Scotty rod holder right next to my seat that I place the rod in as soon as I boat a fish (so I'm not laying it across the gunwale or just plopping in down in the bottom of the canoe). From the bank, you just have no reasonable choice but to lay it on the bank as you're removing the fish from the bait and returning it to the water - and you hope you don't step on your rod... ;D
I stick my rod under my arm pit while I unhook a fish.
Good point. I guess I should have said that "I" usually end up with the rod on the bank. I measure everything I catch, it takes two hands and involves having the fish on the bank. Then, I sometimes have to climb back down a steep bank to get the fish back in the water and in most cases, I'd rather have the rod at the top of the bank rather than trying to carry it with me...:
BASSclary reply :
Good Point. If the fish is worthy in my opinion of measure and weight the rod goes on the ground.
If its a dink it just goes back in real quick 8-)
Raul reply :
I treat them like if they were a Swarovsky glass figure, I don 't get them for free. Besides, I like to keep them like if they were barnd new and they look like brand new, but that 's how everything I own looks like no matter how old or used it might be.
Texasfishingtips reply :
Saw a video where a pro (don't rember name) set the hook on a fish and had his rod jerked out of his hand. Calmly he picked up another rod and said "well I wanted to change baits anyway"
Clancy W
Goose52 reply :
QuoteI treat them like if they were a Swarovsky glass figure, I don 't get them for free. Besides, I like to keep them like if they were barnd new and they look like brand new, but that 's how everything I own looks like no matter how old or used it might be.
I try to follow that philosophy as well. Below is my 1965 vintage Garcia-Mitchell Conolon rod and 408 reel. I can't say it's been fished continuously for 45 years...but it's been fished off and on for 45 years...and survived through at least 12 household moves!
J Francho reply :
To me they're just tools, but I'm not made of money, so I use a modicum common sense. Most of my stuff is in pretty good shape. One tip to you shore guys, tuck a small hand towel in your back pocket when you go out. When you need to set the rod down, set it on the towel. Saves a ton of wear and tear.
J Francho reply :
And tinboat guys, use a strip of pipe insulator over the top cap to protect your rods from nicks, and keep things quiet. My man Ronnie shows how perfectly in Jighead 1 on lunkerville: http://www.lunkerville.com/watchshow.html
Goose52 reply :
QuoteTo me they're just tools, but I'm not made of money, so I use a modicum common sense. Most of my stuff is in pretty good shape. One tip to you shore guys, tuck a small hand towel in your back pocket when you go out. When you need to set the rod down, set it on the towel. Saves a ton of wear and tear.
I have GOT to start doing that... :
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteI treat them like if they were a Swarovsky glass figure, I don 't get them for free. Besides, I like to keep them like if they were barnd new and they look like brand new, but that 's how everything I own looks like no matter how old or used it might be.
We're on the same team. My "old stuff" is brand new.
8-)
BassThumb reply :
QuoteMy rods never lean against a wall.
What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?
BASSclary reply :
QuoteQuoteMy rods never lean against a wall.What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?
IIRC, after extended periods of time It will retain that small bend in the rod where its leaning.
SirSnookalot reply :
My freshwater gear looks and performs like new, as a bank fisherman the rod and real only get placed on the grass, no damage done and haven't even washed down or oiled in the longest time.
Saltwater is whole different ballgame, the reels do need some sensible care and maintenance. Worst enemy is sand off the beach, I often use towels or just hold the rod with my teeth while unhooking. The conditions dictate what I take with me me, some reels seem to be sand magnets or don't perform as well in wind.
K_Mac reply :
I take reasonably good care of mine. They are tools to catch fish. I don't throw them around, but they ain't fine china either. I keep them mechanically in good shape and they do the job every time I need them. I have fished with guys who were so worried about their boat or gear they could not enjoy the fishing. Life is too short to worry about the little things IMO.
I keep them in rod socks when they are in the rod locker or my office at home. I loosen the drags a bit and lean them up against the wall. I have heard for years that rods would take a "set" from being leaned against a wall. I have never read or seen where that actually has happened. Works for me.
Goose52 reply :
QuoteI take reasonably good care of mine. They are tools to catch fish. I don't throw them around, but they ain't fine china either. I keep them mechanically in good shape and they do the job every time I need them. I have fished with guys who were so worried about their boat or gear they could not enjoy the fishing. Life is too short to worry about the little things IMO.I keep them in rod socks when they are in the rod locker or my office at home. I loosen the drags a bit and lean them up against the wall. I have heard for years that rods would take a "set" from being leaned against a wall. I have never read or seen where that actually has happened. Works for me.
Maybe that was in the bamboo fly rod days.... ;D ;D
OHIO reply :
I treat mine pretty well, but you can definitely tell they are used.
I don't really mind how they look as the long as they function like new.
Regarding setting the rod down while bank fishing, I usually set it down on the ground if I'm fishing on grass, but if I'm standing on rocks I usually lean it on my tackle bag.
Never really noticed any scratches from putting it on the ground, but you gotta be careful not to step on it.
A-Jay reply :
I take care of all my equipment and expect that it will take care of me ~ that includes the truck, trailer, boat and tackle.
There is just no good reason not to.
A-Jay
grimlin reply :
I take care of my stuff. It still gets used though,don't know how somebody can keep a reel looking brand new after years of continuous usage like that.Now that impressive.
If i was a pro I'd probably be a little harder on my rods and reels too....you got to consider these guys make a living off this.It's just another tool to them.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Regardless of who paid for something, someone paid for it. Everything should be treated with the level of care required to keep it working as intended for as long as it was built and designed to last. To me this applies to my gear, tools, home goods, kids bikes...
With that said, they are tools to be used and enjoyed, not museum pieces.
Nibbles reply :
I shore fish a lot at places with tons of trees, gravel, shrubbery, etc along the shoreline, so my stuff inevitably gets roughed up. I don't mind it much, I think it just adds character to them.
Then again, I've never really cared about the cosmetics of reels/rods much. Which is why I buy a lot of stuff used. I figure, as long as it's in good mechanical condition, I may as well get em used for cheaper since they'll get dinged and scratched eventually anyway. ;D
Shane J reply :
I treat my combos like family members. I take a lot of pride in keeping my gear in top shape.
J Francho reply :
Tell the truth! You put your drop shot rod in time out once or twice. ;D
Senkoman12 reply :
like most i think my rods are tools. i treat them with care but they do get wear from use. my most expensive set up has scratches on the rod and the reel has some boat rash. i would cry if my excel broke though but i treat it with care
BassThumb reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteMy rods never lean against a wall.What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?
IIRC, after extended periods of time It will retain that small bend in the rod where its leaning.
I assumed that's what he was getting at, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Goose52 reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteMy rods never lean against a wall.What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?
IIRC, after extended periods of time It will retain that small bend in the rod where its leaning.
I assumed that's what he was getting at, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Like I mentioned earlier - I heard of the rod bending issues back when folks were still using split-bamboo flyrods...but I don't recall ever hearing it was an issue with solid fiberglass. hollow fiberglass, or graphite rods.. :
bilgerat reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteMy rods never lean against a wall.What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?
IIRC, after extended periods of time It will retain that small bend in the rod where its leaning.
I assumed that's what he was getting at, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Like I mentioned earlier - I heard of the rod bending issues back when folks were still using split-bamboo flyrods...but I don't recall ever hearing it was an issue with solid fiberglass. hollow fiberglass, or graphite rods.. :
Actually, I'm not too concerned with them bending. It's more to keep them from leaning against the concrete block wall in my basement, which will damage them. Also rods leaning against a wall stand a chance of falling over and into something.
The Rooster reply :
QuoteQuoteI handle them with utmost care when taking them from the trunk of the car (just about the most dangerous event for a rod).I handle them with great care when putting them in the boat, and taking them out of the boat.
I handle them with the "best care under the circumstances" when actually fishing with them from the boat or the bank. No matter how careful you are, you will end up with some type of boat-rash (or the shorebound equivalent - "bank-rash"). In my canoe, I have a Scotty rod holder right next to my seat that I place the rod in as soon as I boat a fish (so I'm not laying it across the gunwale or just plopping in down in the bottom of the canoe). From the bank, you just have no reasonable choice but to lay it on the bank as you're removing the fish from the bait and returning it to the water - and you hope you don't step on your rod... ;D
I stick my rod under my arm pit while I unhook a fish.
For that last one, I also do what BASSclary does. Notice in my avatar at left that even with the fish in hand, so is the rod. I never sat it down to unhook him.
Also for the one I highlighted in pink, I completely disagree. I have reels that I've owned for years that look absolutely brand new without a mark on them and I've used them a lot. The rods also look amazingly clean and sharp but they do occasionally get a very slight mark on them from rubbing on various surfaces while in use or storage. But it's so small as to not even be noticable, and never below the epoxy surface into the graphite blank itself. I'm fanatical about how I take care of every rod I own.
The Rooster reply :
QuoteI take reasonably good care of mine. They are tools to catch fish. I don't throw them around, but they ain't fine china either. I keep them mechanically in good shape and they do the job every time I need them. I have fished with guys who were so worried about their boat or gear they could not enjoy the fishing. Life is too short to worry about the little things IMO.I keep them in rod socks when they are in the rod locker or my office at home. I loosen the drags a bit and lean them up against the wall. I have heard for years that rods would take a "set" from being leaned against a wall. I have never read or seen where that actually has happened. Works for me.
I have personally seen it happen, but only with super cheap rods that are not made of graphite (I'm talking $15 Walmart specials). Any graphite rod I have ever owned has never had that happen to it and I lean mine against the wall in a corner for all the cold months of the year, and anytime during warm months that I'm not using them. So far they've been in the same place they are in now since June (had a very busy year, no time for fishing). Periodically I pick them up and sight down the blank to see if it's doing anything to them, cause I worry about it anyway, but so far there is still no sign of any "set" setting in. Perfectly straight.
dulouz reply :
I bought a couple of those mesh rod covers, rod slick I think was the name, to protect my rods while in the bed of my truck. Unfortunately they are abrasive and took the paint of my guides. Frustrating since I bought them to protect my rods.
The Rooster reply :
QuoteI bought a couple of those mesh rod covers, rod slick I think was the name, to protect my rods while in the bed of my truck. Unfortunately they are abrasive and took the paint of my guides. Frustrating since I bought them to protect my rods.
I'm going to build a truck bed rod rack to help with this. Take a 1x12 board and make it into a long skinny box by attaching 1x4's to the sides and ends. Carpet the inside of it and attach a set of Rod Saver straps to it like you would on the deck of a boat. This way, the rods are secured to a solid surface, protected on the sides from things like 50 quart coolers full of ice and drinks from sliding into them in the bed of the truck, and also the rod rack can double as storage for the rods at home. No more scratches that way.
Stasher1 reply :
QuoteI'm going to build a truck bed rod rack to help with this. Take a 1x12 board and make it into a long skinny box by attaching 1x4's to the sides and ends. Carpet the inside of it and attach a set of Rod Saver straps to it like you would on the deck of a boat. This way, the rods are secured to a solid surface, protected on the sides from things like 50 quart coolers full of ice and drinks from sliding into them in the bed of the truck, and also the rod rack can double as storage for the rods at home. No more scratches that way.
You could save yourself some time (and possibly a few bucks) by picking up a Berkley horizontal rod rack from Walmart and mounting the pieces to a scrap of plywood.
The Rooster reply :
Yeah, for a beater version. I'm thinking of stain, varnish, and jewelry showcase velvet for the carpeting.
Seriously though, I'm going to make one, might be out of plywood too, but it'll have to be 3/4. I know it would be heavy, but it would hold up to beats and bangs too. 1/2 inch would let the sides come off from impact I think once a cooler slid across the bed at 50mph and hit it a few times.
K_Mac reply :
QuoteI bought a couple of those mesh rod covers, rod slick I think was the name, to protect my rods while in the bed of my truck. Unfortunately they are abrasive and took the paint of my guides. Frustrating since I bought them to protect my rods.
BPS has some cheap nylon socks that work well.
Goose52 reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteI handle them with utmost care when taking them from the trunk of the car (just about the most dangerous event for a rod).I handle them with great care when putting them in the boat, and taking them out of the boat.
I handle them with the "best care under the circumstances" when actually fishing with them from the boat or the bank. No matter how careful you are, you will end up with some type of boat-rash (or the shorebound equivalent - "bank-rash"). In my canoe, I have a Scotty rod holder right next to my seat that I place the rod in as soon as I boat a fish (so I'm not laying it across the gunwale or just plopping in down in the bottom of the canoe). From the bank, you just have no reasonable choice but to lay it on the bank as you're removing the fish from the bait and returning it to the water - and you hope you don't step on your rod... ;D
I stick my rod under my arm pit while I unhook a fish.
For that last one, I also do what BASSclary does. Notice in my avatar at left that even with the fish in hand, so is the rod. I never sat it down to unhook him.
Also for the one I highlighted in pink, I completely disagree. I have reels that I've owned for years that look absolutely brand new without a mark on them and I've used them a lot. The rods also look amazingly clean and sharp but they do occasionally get a very slight mark on them from rubbing on various surfaces while in use or storage. But it's so small as to not even be noticable, and never below the epoxy surface into the graphite blank itself. I'm fanatical about how I take care of every rod I own.
On laying the rod down - as I said earlier, I guess I typed too fast and shouldn't have used the word "you" which in context meant all anglers...I should have said "I" have no choice (because I measure all fish caught and it takes both hands - sometimes three hands ;D). Other reasons to lay the rod down are to weigh a fish, to work on removing a deep-hooked fish, to remove a slippery or toothy fish that you can't lip, when you need get something out of your tackle bag/box, to tie a carolina rig, etc. Hard to do those things while still holding the rod. In most cases, I can lay the rod on grass. When I'm on rip-rap, I can usually find an area to prop up the rod without laying it down. I have had very few blemishes from laying the rod down - my only concern is stepping on the cotton picking rod! I do need to follow J Franco's suggestion though and have a small towel as part of my kit.
On boat rash, bank rash, and general wear - it's always a good thing to take good care of your equipment for sure. I try to do that - earlier I posted a photo of a rod and reel that I've owned for 45 years, they're in pretty good shape. They were only fished off-and-on over those 45 years, but there's still a few paint blemishes on the reel and some of the decals on the rod are chipped off (right where the hook keeper is) - wear will happen if you fish your gear. Below is a photo of a BPS PQ reel - it has only one season of use. Note how the numbers of the mag brakes are mostly worn off. I literally palm a reel, and this rod has had thousands of casts and retrieves...so, a lot of skin to reel contact - numbers nearly gone. The numbers will be all the way gone by next year. Wear happens.
I take good care of my gear too - but no matter how good of care you take, wear happens... :
dulouz reply :
QuoteQuoteI bought a couple of those mesh rod covers, rod slick I think was the name, to protect my rods while in the bed of my truck. Unfortunately they are abrasive and took the paint of my guides. Frustrating since I bought them to protect my rods.BPS has some cheap nylon socks that work well.
I did find one I really like. The Cabela's rod nylon rod sock has a hook gaurd built into it. I also made my own reel cover by cutting a hole in the bottom of a Crown Royal bag. I also have cut off the leg from some old jeans long enough to go over the handle and up over the reel.
BassThumb reply :
QuoteI bought a couple of those mesh rod covers, rod slick I think was the name, to protect my rods while in the bed of my truck. Unfortunately they are abrasive and took the paint of my guides. Frustrating since I bought them to protect my rods.
It's a little frustrating that these mesh socks will do that, but using them will go a long way to prevent accidental bruises in the blank, broken guides and chipped inserts. Considering the cost of todays rods and their warranties, it's well worth the look of the scuffed, silver guides or the $10 it might cost you if you were sell the rods later in the flea market.
I personally think that many of the rods that people complain about in internet reviews that "mysteriously" break are due to little mishaps that owners are unaware of, where they put a bruise on the graphite blank that's invisible to the naked eye, only to have the rod snap a week or a month or a year later. I personally had something I can relate to happen last year when I just barely caught a rod on a boat cleat when I was picking it up. I then used it without any issue for three more months. I was thinking I had dodged a bullet after I caught a few big pike on it, before it snapped like a twig on a soft cast with a buzzbait. Had I not known about the self-inflicted damage, I would have thought the rod was junk or defective and I would have likely stayed away from a rod brand that I like.
Boots reply :
i clean my reel after each use(usually just the exterior) then about once a month will take the spool out and handle to make sure there is no ick building up. rod will get cleaned usually once a month unless there is noticably alot of crud on it
i never throw my equipment and it's stored on a rod holder when i get home
Carrington reply :
My setups are my tools, but i treat them as good as i can but i still use them and they get some wear and tare.
TennesseeShad reply :
Depends on whether or not it is a good day or a bad day.
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