That's just a fancy title for rod and reel maintenance. Stuff that should be done for the open water season.

While brainstorming episode ideas with my good friend Aaron he said maybe it's time for a rod and reel maintenance episode. My first thought was a good idea. My next thought was maybe you've already done that or maybe it's something you don't do on a regular basis.

I'm going to admit I don't necessarily go through every rod and reel combo to make darn sure everything is ready to roll when the fish are! Then because Aaron got me to thinking I decided to look at my 21 rod and reel combos for open water fishing and I realized I had two cranks with bent or broken hooks, three different rods with bent eyelets, how that happened I will never know. Needless to say I have a couple of reels that have frayed and worn out Fireline™. I also have a rod with a busted tip. Now in my defense it was a rod we found that someone else busted and left laying on shore. Thing is, it was a fancy $200 rod and I have an extra 50 cent tip to make it like new again.

I should probably mention that I have four other Abu Garcia™ Vendetta™ rods and reels that I need to spool and rig for the season.

I'm pretty doggone sure you're thinking of yourself why does that guy need all that stuff just to fish open water? Not to mention the fact that he doesn't seem to put a ton of time on the water. Well that's a story for another time, now go check your equipment and get it ready for open water.

⏯Rod & Reel Redo

Episode 779  Why  So Much  Stuff?  The Answer.

I figured I'd take some time real quick to answer the question I posed during episode blank a couple of days ago.

I mentioned that I had about 25 rod and reel combos for the Open water season. I have multiple tackle bags as well. Now I don't have them in the boat all at once they are actually used in multiple locations not to mention the fact that I have a handful of rods I keep in my pickup, I have a number of them in my entryway in case I go fishing with a friend, I have a bunch that go in my boat and never leave and so on. I just learned that having three or four rods and using them in every application is too confusing and cumbersome. If you take something from your boat sometimes you may not put it back. You go out to fish and realize you forgot a rod or two in a friend's pickup or in their boat or even at home that won't happen to me anymore.

I have enough stuff to keep me stocked in every situation including tackle. Some tackle bags are bigger and smaller than others but each tackle bag is set up so I can fish just about any tactic anywhere.

Yes it costs a little more but it's a lot less frustrating to get the water and not have exactly what you want or need. Here's the cool thing when you buy stuff on clearance seasonally you really only have about 30 to $35 in each rod and reel combo. But that's a little secret I've kind of kept to myself for a long time. And by the way it's not cheap stuff, it's Abu Garcia and I have everything I need.

⏯Why So Much Stuff?