Storing Gears And Lures In The Cold

[bass1980]

I have just started to get serious about fishing. Have a bunch of nice reels, rods, and soft plastics recently. Unfortunately winter is upon us and I can only stare at them. Normally I just keep everything in my unheated garage. Temps can get below zero at nights. So I have been paranoid lately and moved all my reels and plastics inside. Am I over thinking or is it better to keep them out of freezing temps?

[Bluebasser86]

I've stored my fishing gear in an unheated garage for years with no ill effects that I can think of. I know if you aren't going to use them at all you're supposed to loosen your drags all the way to reduce stress on drag washers I believe, I'm sure some of the reel experts can elaborate more on that though.

[slonezp]

No problems keeping them in the garage. If you move them inside I'm sure it will increase the agony of cabin fever.

[Bass Junkie]

No problems keeping them in the garage. If you move them inside I'm sure it will increase the agony of cabin fever.

This is true... My reels get re-lubed an average of 37 times a winter I do take all of my gear inside over the winter, mainly due more out of concern for the rods and hard-baits than reels, but why take chances?

[wnybassman]

I have had heavily salted plastics "sweat" in cold damp conditions, but that's over a long period of time if in their original packaging. If in open bags or plano boxes it seem to happen much quicker. Everything of mine is kept in a small heated room in my barn.

[Bankbeater]

I keep my gear in the basement. That way I can at least hold them when its too cold to fish.

[scbassin]

I keep mine in the boat. This way I just have to put the boat in the water & go.

[Bass Junkie]

I keep mine in the boat. This way I just have to put the boat in the water & go.

The bliss of not having hard water...As opposed to us Yanks

[Goose52]

All my stuff (except a few "princess" combos) stay in the garage all winter. My garage is insulated, but un-heated, and gets down to the mid-30s temps; only once has it gone below 32 deg. out there...

[bass1980]

Yeah I don't think scbassin read the thread lol. I'm talking Minnesota cold here. Today high was 18 and low will be 3 degrees. About to go ice fishing next weekend though.

[BassnChris]

I store all of my rods, reels, tackle, trolling motor and fish finders inside the house anytime I am not fishing.......winter, summer or fall it does not matter.

My concerns were concerns of the heat and cold on the fishing line mostly. Also, they are better protected from punks and crack heads looking to score some quick money pawning my stuff.

Inside they are protected in a controlled environment, by an alarm and surveillance cameras.........So I sleep better and don't worry about them while I'm not home.

[mnbassman23]

Fellow MN guy here.. In the past I have kept my gear in a non heated shop with no issues. Now that i have upgraded my gear I bring it into my basement for the winter. One being that our shop usually isn't locked and two just to keep better care of it.

this past November I did a two day trip and had to leave my boat outside over night, lows into the teens, and my reels were frozen the next morning. I don't know how hard this is on reels, but i'd rather be safe than sorry.

[webertime]

Vermonter here, I bring the reels inside and loosen all the adjustments to the max to keep the drag washers and spool tension springs "fresher". It's probably mental but I want to make sure the lubes/line on the reel don't go bad/thicken due to the cold/dry air. Rods are fine out in the cold that you/I see.

[jbsoonerfan]

All my gear, and I mean all (rods, reels, bow, arrows, tackle, guns, ammo, golf clubs, camo, waders, etc. etc.) stay in the house with me year round.

[skeletor6]

I store all of my rods, reels, tackle, trolling motor and fish finders inside the house anytime I am not fishing.......winter, summer or fall it does not matter.

My concerns were concerns of the heat and cold on the fishing line mostly. Also, they are better protected from punks and crack heads looking to score some quick money pawning my stuff.

Inside they are protected in a controlled environment, by an alarm and surveillance cameras.........So I sleep better and don't worry about them while I'm not home.

So your the reason why I can't obtain any new gear? d**n

Seriously though, usually fishing gear getting too hot is an issue. Such as any polymer melting or warping, but usually the cold is a form of a preservative. Still, the change in temperature can have effects on the change of composition of certain materials. Its too easy to store all of my plastics in a controlled environment. I would imagine you could package the reels pretty tight as well.

Keep in mind, most fishing gear is made to use in variable climates. They should be able to handle such temperatures. Soft plastics though I would be worried. Probably more because of paranoia, not worth the risk imho.

[Fishes in trees]

I bring my electronics into the house for the winter. All other stuff stays locked up in my fishing shed. I've done this for the last 9 years or so - no ill effects. One exception - pork baits will get softer after gong through numerous freeze/thaw cycles. They are still usable and they might even be better because they are softer.

[Trackick9707]

I keep my tackle inside during the winter, but it's currently -4 outside and about 12 in my garage.  I wouldn't worry about hard baits, but if you have pork trailers that are in glass jars with liquid in them make sure they are inside.  The liquid might freeze and expand and explode in your box.  Not a pretty sight.  I've also found that the berkeley gulp soft plastics have liquid in the packaging and they tend to discolor and get funky if you leave them out in the cold.  Rods and reels should be fine, but if you want to disassemble them for cleaning and lubrication bring them inside to warm up first or they feel sticky in the cold.  I dont use mono but i would assume that temperature changes can affect it over time.  Also having your tackle inside over the winter can save you the hassle of finding out there was a mouse or other rodent living with your tackle over the winter.