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? 

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.

Like they're extremely brittle china.

Why do the pro's do it ? Obviously because they can. They just get more rods.

To a professional fisherman, they're just tools. How gentle are you when you put your screwdrivers or wrenches back in the toolbox?

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

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

I stick my rod under my arm pit while I unhook a fish.

i dont care for mine like i should :-/...but then again...i dont have $800 setups either 

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.

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. 

To 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.

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

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...:

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-)

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

I have GOT to start doing that... :

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.

We're on the same team. My "old stuff" is brand new.

8-)

My rods never lean against a wall.

What's wrong with leaning your rods against a wall?

My 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.

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.

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.

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.

Maybe that was in the bamboo fly rod days.... ;D ;D

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.

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