Boner Custom rods are built with the finest materials available and constructed to exacting standards. Our expectations of every rod are as high as those anglers who fish with them. With some common sense and careful handling, your Boner rod will offer a lifetime of exceptional experiences. Below are some tips that will help out along the way.
LINE RATINGS
The individual characteristics built into each and every Boner rod highlight the rods intended use. As a part of that, the strength and flex of the blank is balanced to the recommended line ratings. A Boner rod is rated so that when the rod is held at a 45-degree angle or less, line within the rating will break before the rod does. Angles greater than 45-degrees transfer undue stress to the tip section of the rod (practically eliminating the ability of the stronger butt section to carry any load), and in extreme cases can result in rod failure with as little as 2 pounds of directed pressure. It is not only proper use that requires a rod angle of 45-degrees or less, but this is also the area where you'll find the greatest power from the rod and best control over the fish.
LURE RATINGS
Lure ratings provide a range of lure weights in which exceptional performance will be found. Using a lure that is lighter than the listed weight will not properly load the rod, casting distance and sensitivity will suffer. Using a lure that is heavier than the listed weight will overpower the rod. Again, distance and sensitivity will suffer, along with the compounded problem of overstressing the blank fibers.
REEL INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL
Prior to reel installation, lubricate the reel foot and the threads of the reel seat. Insert the reel and tighten the lock-nut finger tight. Shake the reel side-to-side and tighten again.
Repeat the process until the reel no longer moves. Graphite reel seats should never be over-tightened and pliers should never be used in the process. Over extended periods, the reel seat hood may seize to the reel foot. Slowly loosen the reel nut. If it starts to seize, tap the hood. This will break loose the deposits that have built up over time. Continue to loosen the nut. If you do not tap the hood loose, you may separate the hood from the nut.
TRANSPORTATION
The key to rod transportation is eliminating sharp impact to the blank. The best place for a rod to travel is inside of a protective tube. If not carried in a tube, the rods should not be left to bounce against other rods or terminal rigging (weights, heavy swivels, lures, etc.) At vehicle travel speed, sharp impacts from these items can fracture the rod blanks.
The best way to transport multi-piece rods is with rubber bands holding the sections together. Always affix the sections tip-to-tip and butt-to-butt. This keeps the delicate tip from being crushed against the uneven and much larger handle. Also, do not use hair bands with a metal connecting clip on rods as the metal clip can scratch, or worse, fracture the blank.
STORAGE
Store rods in either the vertical or horizontal position. If leaned in a corner, a set or bow in the rod can occur over time. Never leave your rods where critters can get to them.
Scents, salt from perspiration and other biologic contaminates are a sure fire attraction to undesirables.
CLEANING THE ROD BLANK
The best cleaner we have found for cleaning the blank and handle is a mixture of one part isopropyl alcohol and four parts warm water, along with a good dose of liquid dish soap. Using a soft sponge, scrub the blank and handle, then rinse. Dabbing problem areas with the soap mix for a few minutes before scrubbing can soften heavy build-up.
Once you have the rod clean, a coat of wax will simplify the maintenance of a beautiful finish. We recommend any of the carnuba based car waxes. Fish scales and many types of bait will not stick to a waxed rod and makes cleaning a snap. If you are fishing everyday, a coat of wax every other week should suffice.
CLEANING GUIDES AND REEL SEATS
As strange as it may sound, the use of a toothbrush and toothpaste will remove the stubborn deposits on rod guides and reel seats. After cleaning the reel seats coat with any light oil. This method works on all reel seats.