I'm running low on space and considering purchasing a 10X12 ft shed for my fishing equipment. I have some high end stuff and I'm worried about any affects the CT cold weather may have on it. Does anyone have any proven info or knowledge about adverse affects of storing fishing gear in an outdoor shed for the winter?

I don't have any special knowledge re: the effects of cold storage, just my own experience.

I store all of my rods, reels and tackle (except line) in an unheated shed. I worry far more about the effects of Kansas summers than about the cold winters. I store my reels in cloth bags to keep the dust out, rods go in a vertical rack and tackle stays in the tackle boxes. I've done this for decades with no problems.

Tom

Just a thought, but 10 x 12 might not be big enough. Do you have or will you ever get a boat?   Or a fishing truck?   You'll want to keep those under a roof in the winter.  Several years ago I built a shed 20 x 40 and now I wish I'd built at least 30 X 60.  90 x 150 would be better.  You can't have too much garage space.

The main thing is to have a plan to deal with the dust.  Anything you want to protect should be in a box or a zip lock bag or something.   Plastic shoe boxes go on sale at Wal-Mart for a buck a hit pretty often, so buy a bunch of them.  Don't forget shelves.  Most stuff you will want to keep of the floor.   Shelves go on sale from time to time at Home Depot or Wal-Mart or other places like that.  You can't have too many shelves.

I've never had any real issue with vermin, but I'm pretty consistent with keeping mouse & rat poison spread around the perimeter all the time.

The main thing for a fishing shed is to build as big as you can afford and have space for.  You won't regret it.

Cold shouldn't be an issue, all my stuff is in an unheated garage in NY. Same weather. I think cold is better than heat. As long as it's protected I think your all right.

Things to worry about:

heat

moisture

vermin

I wouldn't worry about the cold.

Things to worry about:

heat

moisture

vermin

I wouldn't worry about the cold.

Especially two-legged vermin 

Tom