Winter Fishing Gear Maintenance Guide: Rods, Reels & Lures

Proper tackle maintenance is one of the most important habits for saltwater anglers. Winter is the perfect time to clean, repair, organize, and prep your gear for the next season. In our recent Winter Webinar, expert anglers Jeff Sullivan and Todd Treonze shared practical, real-world tips to protect your equipment and keep it performing at its best. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

This guide summarizes the session and gives you a complete checklist for rods, reels, lures, and off-season storage.

Rod Maintenance Essentials

• Inspect all guides carefully—look for cracks, chips, and ice-damage that can cut braid instantly. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Check for nicks on the rod blank, especially from spoons, jigs, or heavy lures bouncing around. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Examine reel seats for worn threads or looseness, especially older rods with plastic components. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Light rinse + mild soap—never high pressure, and always let rods dry fully before storage. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

Reel Maintenance: What to Grease, What to Oil, and What to Avoid

Jeff repairs reels every day, and his biggest message was simple: rinse your reels correctly and lubricate the right places.

• Rinse with low pressure freshwater—never upside down, never high pressure. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Use Penn blue grease on spool clickers, drag washers (older felt), and exposed metal surfaces. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Oil the line roller and handle knobs—these seize more than any other parts. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
• NEVER oil anti-reverse systems—they are designed to run dry. Lubrication causes failure. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
• Back off drag for storage; for conventionals, tighten to squeeze water out, then loosen fully. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
• Remove lead-core line—it traps saltwater like a sponge and destroys reels over winter. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

Lure & Tackle Tune-Up

• Sort lures by condition: replace split rings, sharpen hooks, inspect epoxy bodies for cracks. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
• Use UV resin to repair chipped epoxies on the fly. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
• Upgrade hardware on spoons and metals (swivels + high-strength rings prevent leverage). :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
• Replace or sharpen jig hooks—rusty jig heads are one of the biggest winter throw-aways. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
• Remove FishBites or similar scented baits—they chemically corrode hooks over time. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
• Zip-tie large soft plastics to increase durability and reduce tearing. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}

Off-Season Storage Tips

• Avoid gasketed boxes in kayaks and boats—moisture gets trapped and destroys hooks. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
• Use vented tackle trays and rinse gear immediately after trips. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
• Add silica gel packs to every box to pull moisture away from jigs, plugs, and terminal tackle. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
• Organize seasonally: spring plastics, summer topwater, fall metals, etc. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
• Keep a fishing log—conditions, lures used, and seasonal patterns save time next year. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}

Want to Learn More?

Join us at the Saltwater Edge Winter Expos for deep-dive seminars on offshore, fly, and surf tactics. These full-day programs feature local captains, gear experts, rigging sessions, and hands-on instruction. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}

Stay prepared. Protect your gear. Catch more fish next season.