Maintaining Your Fishing Reels

Most outdoor sporting activities require a lot of equipment maintenance.  Hunters always clean and lubricate their firearms after each use.  Many anglers, though,  neglect using this practice on their reels until it is too late and the reel breaks down.  Reel cleaning is especially important when the reel is used in saltwater or in a sandy environment.  Reels should be given a minor washdown after every use, but a thorough cleaning should be done every two to three months, even if the reel has not been used heavily.  The salty marine air that we have near the coast means that reels stored in a boat, shed, or garage may experience corrosion even when not in use.
 
    There are a three steps to do a full cleaning and lubrication on a reel: washdown, de-lubrication, and re-lubrication.  Reels should be washed thoroughly, but gently, with fresh water.  Do not use a powerful spray nozzle, because this may force salt and debris deeper into the reel's inner workings.  You may remove the outer parts of the reel, such as the handle and sideplates, while cleaning, but do not completely disassemble the reel yet.  Some anglers soak their reels in fresh water, but most reel manufacturers advise against this because it can concentrate salt or debris into certain areas of the reel.  If you do soak the reel, dilute the water with a salt-removing formula such as Salt Terminator or Salt Away that will extract salt from the metals.  Sand is the number one cause of death for reels used on the beach, and it must be removed to prevent damage to the reel.  Water alone will not get sand out of a reel.  Use a spray air can, like those used for computer keyboards, to blow sand and debris out of tight spaces.  A toothbrush and cotton swabs are also good tools to have to remove sand. 

    Disassembling a reel takes a lot of patience and organization.  Most fishing reels come packaged with a parts list and schematic showing how it is put together.  Before the reel is lubricated, all the old grease and oil must be cleaned out.  Grease collects dirt and dust over time, which if left untouched can cause the metal gears to pit and wear.  There are several spray-on degreasers on the market made for removing reel grease.  Spray this on the gears and other moving parts of the reel to remove the old lubricants and allow it to work for several minutes before wiping off the excess with a soft cloth. 

    There are a few different types of reel lubricants with specific applications.  Reel grease is a thick lubricant that should only be used on the teeth of the internal gears.  Reel oil is a light lubricant that is used on ball bearings, spool shafts, and other moving parts.  Only a few drops of oil are necessary; never over-grease or over-oil your reel.  Reel silicone spray, such as Real Magic, is only to be used as a temporary lubricant between major cleanings and is not a substitute for reel oil or grease.  Nothing is more controversial to reel cleaning than the substance WD-40.  While WD-40 can be used as a cleaner and corrosion inhibitor, reel manufacturers unanimously advise against the use of WD-40 as a lubricant because of its degreasing properties.  If you have questions about maintaining specific parts of your reel, contact the manufacturer for the best advice.