How to Clean and Desalinate Your Fishing Line

Introduction: The Importance of Fishing Line Maintenance

Fishing is a fantastic pastime, but like any gear, your fishing line needs proper care to perform its best and last longer. One of the biggest enemies of fishing line, especially in saltwater environments, is salt. Salt buildup can wreak havoc on your line, leading to corrosion, reduced performance, and ultimately, the need for costly replacement. This is particularly true for braided lines, which while strong, can be susceptible to salt intrusion. Ignoring this can lead to several problems:

• Corrosion of the line, especially braid
• Damage to the fishing reel
• Potential loss of fish
• Cost of replacing braid line

Regular cleaning and desalting are essential to keep your line in top condition and ensure you're ready for your next fishing adventure.

Salt builds up on the spool in the red circle area

Tools and Equipment for Fishing Line Maintenance

To effectively clean and desalt your fishing line, you'll need a few key tools. Here's what I recommend:

• Daiichiseiko High Speed Recycler 2.0 Line Winder: This handy tool makes winding and unwinding your line a breeze.
• Daiichiseiko GYAKUMAKI SPOOL 3HENGE Reverser: This allows you to easily reverse the direction of your line on the spool.
• Container for desalt solution: A plastic container or bucket will do.
• Desalt Solution: You can purchase a commercial salt remover solution. Always check if it works with fishing line material, or just clean fresh water.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Separate the Desalt Spool

Remove the spool of line you want to clean from your fishing reel.

Step 2: Install the Line Winder and Desalination Spool

Attach the Daiichiseiko High Speed Recycler 2.0 Line Winder to a stable surface. Then, attach the desalt spool to the line winder.

Top: desalt spool, Bottom: line winder drive shaft

Step 3: Reverse Wind and Soak

• Wind the line onto the desalt spool (no high tension): It's crucial not to wind the line too tightly. This could damage the line or the spool. Wind it smoothly and evenly.
  
• Soak the line in salt remove solution (2-3 hours): Submerge the spool and line completely in your desalt solution. Allow it to soak for at least two to three hours. This will help to loosen and dissolve the salt buildup.
  
• Repeat the soak once: For particularly salty lines, it's a good idea to repeat the soaking process with fresh solution.
• Clean the salt on the fishing reel spool: It is good opportunity to deep clean the salt always sitting below the lines.

Step 4: Air Dry and Rewind

• Air dry the fishing line completely: After soaking, remove the spool from the solution and allow the line to air dry completely. This is important to prevent any remaining salt from crystallising and causing further damage.
• Rewind the line using the line winder: Once the line is completely dry, use the line winder to transfer it back onto your fishing reel. 

Conclusion: Regular Fishing Line Maintenance is Key

Regular cleaning and desalting are crucial for maintaining the performance and longevity of your fishing line. By taking these simple steps, you can prevent corrosion, extend the life of your line, and avoid the frustration of losing a fish due to line failure. Investing a little time in line maintenance will save you money and ensure you're always ready for your next fishing trip.