Anglers mostly break their rods due to various kinds of accidents and that has nothing to do with rod maintenance. However, it is best to keep a few things in mind: Do not keep your rod in the car trunk for long, as the closed and high-temperature conditions may harm the material. Keep the line weight limits and power rating in mind for the particular rod when you fish. Always dry your rod after rinsing it when you are done fishing. You should not keep your rod in humid conditions. If you fish in salt water make sure you rub off the salt before drying. You can use mild soapy water and a soft brush to clean your rod but never use more aggressive products like toothpaste or a brush to clean it. Keep these few basic things in mind and your rod will never get sick and die.