ARCTEKJim

There is no worse feeling than to have a big fish hooked, to be enjoying the fight of reeling it in, then having your equipment fail and the fish getting away.
Sometimes equipment failure cannot be helped, but with good maintenance you'll be confident that any failure it may have could not have been prevented.
By keeping your fishing reel clean, it will work smoother and last longer. This is a basic how to on cleaning and maintaining fishing reels.
Find a clean flat hard surface such as a bench top to clean your reel on. Laying down a clean white sheet over the bench can make finding small parts easier.
Begin by wiping the outside of the reel over with a moist soapy rag, this will remove any of the contaminants such as oils and salts (particularly if it is used in salt water). Remove the spool and wash it and underneath with mild soapy water.
Carefully remove the winding handle; this is usually done by unscrewing the nut on the opposite side of the reel. Take the handle out and carefully remove the side plate with a small screw driver. You will be able to inspect all of the gears inside and add special fishing reel grease onto the gears. Each year you should clean out the old grease and lubricate the internals with fresh grease.
Using fishing reel oil, lubricate any external moving parts such as the bail and anti reverse lever.
Remember that fishing in salt water requires more maintenance than fresh water fishing. Make sure you clean your gear after each trip to keep it in perfect working order and extend its life for many more fishing trips

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custom built t tops/towers/hardtops etc
www.arctekmarine.com CLINTON, CT

CaptDom

Good points laid out in a short and simple approach. This will help your gear last indefinitely with proper maintenance.

One thing I wanted to point out was to be sure you either get most of the old grease out , or use the identical kind to what is in the reel now. I worked on an older Shimano TLD 50 and regreased it when finished a few years back. A few weeks into using it it felt rough, so I re opened it, to find the grease had liquified into a thin oil like substance. Come to find out the grease I had used was petroleum based, and the old grease was lithium. They ruin each others viscosity.

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CAPT. DOM PETRARCA
COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

StrikerThree

What I started doing 2 seasons ago is I bought the Scunzi steamer and in the winter I take all my reels apart and clean all the grease out with the steamer it gets out everything leaves it like new. Makes it easier to fix any problems and best all of the sand and salt are gone I just repack the reel with fresh grease and wax the outside with some of the boat wax and there good for all season long.

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Senior Rep for the I.P.U.A
(International Pikers Union OF American)

psycopanhead

the steamer is a great idea...i have to try that

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chief saloon and tavern inspector.....pikers club

Gaucho

After every trip I wash the poles down with fresh water and mild soap. All my reels are in great condition. I little care right after use goes a long way.

esquired

I am sure that most of you already know this, but it never hurts to remind everyone. DO NOT spray your reels with a hose after your fishing trios it will drive the salt and dirt into the reel and line. PENN Reels recommends that you soak your reels in fresh water to allow the salt to dissolve then carefully wipe the reels. I use an old toothbrush and mild detergent to get the salt out of the crevices.

To soak the reels without removing them from the rods, fill your cooler with water THEN hang the reels in the water by laying the rods across the cooler.

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http://www.uchelpcenter.com/index.html

Capt Neil Faulkner

Good morning,

You guys will love this.

One pb I worked on the reels really were abused by customers and crew all season. You almost did not want to touch them, salt crusted etc. What to do.??? Took them home, locked up the drags and put them in the dishwasher, 50 plus reels. Then took them apart and fixed, lubed them and they were ready to go.

No, I do not suggest you do this with your reels.

If I believed in reincarnation the fear of coming back as a pb rod and reel would make me a very good boy! Ha!

Capt Neil

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Custom Fishing Rods by Capt Neil
Home of The Long Islander Series of rods
Sayville, Long Island, New York

(631) 567-8049

Lattitudechange

LOL... I posted this in the wrong thread. Duh..to many windows open.

I keep a coil hose hooked up to my freshwater supply and give them a quick rinse every once in a while.

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Dean of Admissions, Pikers Club

76SeaCraft18

I completely disassemble ,clean, and lube with Hot Sauce brand grease and oil twice a year. That stuff will not just wash off. After each trip I lightly spray everything, including boat, with salt-away.