I keep my ultra light ugly stick in my trunk so when I'm on lunch and sometimes after work I stop at Pennypack Creek to fish for Trout and Panfish. My question is, does leaving the rod and reel in my trunk in the cold weather have any adverse effects on my gear?

Heat in the summer might be an issue, but cold is not.

I keep my ultra light ugly stick in my trunk so when I'm on lunch and sometimes after work I stop at Pennypack Creek to fish for Trout and Panfish. My question is, does leaving the rod and reel in my trunk in the cold weather have any adverse effects on my gear?

The cold could cause a sticky feel to reels.

As far as the rod, I would worry more about the rod banging around in the trunk of my car then the cold.

I would because the rod is the fragile part of the system make sure you check the rod for nicks etc., each time you want to use it...

 

Tight Lines!

RM, is exactly right on the rod. Thats a good way to break it. If yyou have a 2 pc rod, a soft rifle/long gun bag/case would be the ticket. You should be able to find one super cheap right now since walmart is moving all the hunting stuff out for the year.

On the reel - I don't think there are any lasting affects.  On short-term affects - like .RM. said - lubricants can get a bit thick in cold weather and the reel can get a bit sluggish.  Another issue that I've had in sub-freezing temps is the lube in the anti-reverse bearing getting cold and the AR becomes inop. Soon as the reel warms back up, the AR comes back up... 

Personally , I keep ALL of my gear in my room. I'm young and work for every inch of it. I kept a rod in my dads truck and the only effect was the line turned into crap for some reason and the grease got really thick. Nothing serious.

We're talking an Ugly Stik here. Not much can kill it. I doubt cold will kill it. But as .RM. said, it's more the banging around. With a U Stik, I'd be concerned about the eyelets banging around more than the rod itself. Those things are darn near indestructible.

 

Perhaps having a rod tip repair kit on hand would at least alleviate tip issues.

On the reel - I don't think there are any lasting affects.  On short-term affects - like .RM. said - lubricants can get a bit thick in cold weather and the reel can get a bit sluggish.  Another issue that I've had in sub-freezing temps is the lube in the anti-reverse bearing getting cold and the AR becomes inop. Soon as the reel warms back up, the AR comes back up... 

The AR probably has grease in it.

No grease in the AR packs, light oil swab only.....

The AR probably has grease in it.

No grease in the AR packs, light oil swab only.....

 

Dunno what's in the AR bearing .RM. - it's only happaned on spinning reels in <30 degree air temps and long cold soak times in the car.  Haven't personally disassembled any of my (modern) spinning reels...if I did, I'd end up with a "box-o-parts"...   Better for me to just let the reel warm back up... :lol: