Okay, I had a rod/reel take a swim the other day so obviously it needs some TLC. I am thinking a dis-assembly, cleaning and re-oiling. With that in mind, what do you folks do to maintain your reels? I rinse mine off after every trip out but, at what point do you do more and, what do you do besides just rinsing/washing off?
Thanks
I went to that reel cleaning class at Haddrells and have been using that reel guard spray for the last couple of years and have zero corrosion and don’t even have to use soap or fresh water anymore, but they said if you actually dunk a reel to take it in because unless you take EVERYTHING apart, all of the little parts,(I know my one stradic has something like 400 pieces or something crazy like that) the different metals will corrode. I don’t know how well you can do it yourself, but I have have spent a pretty penny on reels and would want it done right. Just my 2 Cents on info that was given to me. Good Luck.
that reel guard spray is a great option to help maintain, as well as Penn’s rod and reel cleaner they have out on the market. If it was completely submerged I would recommend not waiting long before getting it serviced/cleaned…does not take long for corrosion to “saltwater weld” an entire reel and its working parts together. Fully taking the entire reel apart is no doubt your most guaranteed option to be sure you get many more years of service out of your reel. If you bring it in to Haddrells, let them/us know it was submerged so that the service may be expedited in order to prevent any further damage. If you take on the project yourself, I would definately use digital camera to take pics as you go to help you get everything back in its proper place! Hope this helps!
Scott Hammond
Haddrells Point West Ashley
You can take it to Baron’s on Harden and they can clean it for you if you don’t want to mess with it.
If it’s a quality reel ($100.00 +) I would take it in and let the pro do it. Not saying you are not capable of doing it but some times it is worth the money to let someone else do the job. I asked about my PENN 555GS’s and they would only be $20.00 each. It may be cheaper then you think. At least you got your rod back. Last one I had go for a swim never came back.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
It is a Shimano Symetre so not high dollar but not so cheap I am willing to trash it. I just disassembled/cleaned an Okuma so I may take a shot with this one. I’m pretty handy and will take Reelhunter’s advice and take pics. Thanks for all the info.
First thing to do if a reel gets submerged is let is soak in a bucket of warm water overnight.
Open it up (loosen drag, etc.) if you can’t take it apart and relube everything right when you take it out the fresh water the next day. It’ll dry out, and most of the salt will have disolved into the warm fresh water enough so as not to cause as much damage, if any at all. Fresh water shouldn’t hurt a reel if it was lubed correctly to begin with… if fresh water in the guts of a reel does hurt it, then you’re going to have issues with a reel regardless just from using it around salt water and humidity…
Have done the fresh water soak before and taken a reel apart a week later to find abolutely nothing wrong with it…
Avet actually states in their owners manuals to do the fresh water dunk after each use…
Key is to make sure the salt water (or any water) never gets a chance to get trapped inside the reel.
2x what Scott said about Penn rod and reel cleaner. Black spray bottle. Excellent on rods and reels. Regular maintenance goes a long way in keeping your stuff looking and working like new.
Luke 8:22-25
Take apart what looks easy.I soak the whole reel in soapy hot water for about 3 hours.Then wash off with clean hot water.I dry with a blow dryer.Then heavy dose of wd40.Dry off excess wd40 then lube heavy with any good reel lube.
Stonoman
This might be helpful:http://www.americananglersfishing.com/tackle-maintenance/spinning-reel-break-down/
Also, “Zippo Lighter Fluid” and specifically “Zippo” is cheap, and hard to beat for cleaning reels, then lubing with a light grease. Some pro reel techs. use it without any other lubrication at all, although I wouldn’t recommend it on a spinning reel.
…Politicians aren’t the “Oldest Profession”, but the results are still the same!!!
All good info. Thanks folks! I’ll let ya know if I am able to get it back together.
Ok i heard a million diff. tips my dad has always said just turn um upside down and light mist um, my roomate (who works at irby street sporting goods) says never spray water at um cause it pushes the salt into the gears and internals, and an avid angler i work with says to spray them with water then spray the entire reel with WD40 it works well for them, they fish hard and ive been out with them and havent noticed any corrosion on there gear… Any comments?
31’ Fountain Tornament
Twin 250 Merc.
22’ Sea Pro
140 Johnson
(Yes I spelled Diesel wrong cant change it oh well)
I usually just spray/wipe mine off when I come home but this one took a saltwater bath for about an hour so it needed more. I am going to try some of Penn’s Rod & Reel cleaner. I really try to take care of my reels but it seems that certain parts are just not all that corrosion resistant.
I had one go swimming a few years ago off the kayak. Ok, I went swimming too. It was a cheaper setup from Dicks, Diawa, I think. Anyway, got home and rinsed it real good in fresh water and then took it apart and cleaned it thoroughly and regreased everything. It was never the same and always had some rough spots in the bearings. I’m sure the bearing weren’t sealed like the Saraha, but water will almost always find a way into the smallest of places. Hopefully you can save your reel. But saltwater is brutal on 'em. Since that time I have not had one go into the drink. But I always rinse off the reels with fresh water and once a month, wash the outside (gently) with Orpine or Woodys boat wash/wax. It seems to keep them looking and working good. Sure seems to keep the gunk from sticking to them or the rods and eyelets. May not be the best option, but it has worked on mine for several years.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
I would never spray WD40 on a reel unless it was to clean corrossion from metal components before relubing.
WD40 is a penetrant… not a lube. Works well as a cleaner, but is one of those that you will have to reapply very often to prevent issues going forward.
In my experience, graphite or plastic parts of any reel will get ruined by WD40.
Get the penn synthetic rod and reel cleaner/protectant in the black spray bottle for 8 bucks if you want something to keep your stuff’s exteriors nice. WD40 is too harsh and leaves NO protectant for your stuff.
WD40 will also ruin spectra…
Luke 8:22-25
yea i was a little iffy on that too, i havent done it to any of my gear but dude seems to know his stuff I dont know to each his own i guess
31’ Fountain Tornament
Twin 250 Merc.
22’ Sea Pro
140 Johnson
1448 PolaKraft
30 honda 4-Stroke
(Yes I spelled Diesel wrong cant change it oh well)