GEAR GUIDE

lures in older versions with VCI Pro Chips from The Inhibitor. Company president Jeff Sorenson says each square inch of Pro Chip provides protection for a square foot of closed space, but he recommends putting a chip in each section of a tackle box and changing them once a year for thorough coverage. “VCI gives off vapors that blend with moisture and oxygen to fight corrosion. Unlike desiccants, which are designed to remove moisture but never quite remove it all, VCI works with moisture to neutralize its effects,” he says. Graphite-bodied reels don’t corrode; however, exposure to sunlight can fade their finish. In this case, applying products such as Real Magic restores the reel’s good looks and provides further protection from ultraviolet rays. Now I have to ask my friend if mileage on a stationary bicycle counts against me the same way it hurts a reel to wind against the drag.