Re: Washing reels
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
All reels are bound to corrode if proper maintenance isn't performed. ESPECIALLY SALTWATER REELS! But, first and foremost preventive maintenance is the key to a long reel life. The single most important method of prevention is lubrication. Oh yeah, most guys do grease and oil where directed according to the manufacturer, at least once a year. But, only on the moving parts. All inner metal parts should get a protective light coat of a good salt inhibiting grease, yamaha marine is an excellent example, as well as grease the drag washers. Although, those should get a drag specific grease. The drag washers if other than carbon fiber should be switched out, to carbon fiber and greased. All screwholes should get a drop of grease as well to prevent siezing. There are many sites with tutorials on how to do this. It ain't rocket science guys. Sure, all those little parts can be intimidating, but if done in sections, it becomes simple. And furthermore, rewarding, and rather economic as well.
As previously posted, Alan Tani is a real, reel guru. His website can make even the most mechanically challenged, a reel repair pro in no time. Any questions you may have can and will be answered, by experts, shortly after the question is posted. His website is in a previous reply in this thread.
If you have simply just regreased and or oiled your bearings for the past five years or so, without salt inhibiting grease or oils. Or just kept piling it on chances are that your bearings are rust corroded and now siezed. (Gobs of grease give a place for the salt to attach. In this case more is not better.) And, reduced to nothing more than bushings. The simplest way to know this is if when the reel has just been lubed, you put her in freespool and let the line drop to the ground using a sinker. If the spool moves ever so slowly, it is likely you have a bearing problem. No need for panic. They can be degreased, and then re-greased. However, if they are badly corroded. They will need replacement. Bearings are not a bank breaker, but depending on what type you use for replacement, and how many are needed it can mount up and some reels have as many as eight roller bearings.
Anyway, I'm getting long winded. I could go on and on, how to best care for reels. But, my point is a properly lubed reel will last forever, with proper preventive maintenance.
I always rinse my reels with a light spray. Or, in the winter toss them in the shower. Light spray is the key here. Blasting her with a hose will only remove the applied greases and oils that you took the time to apply. Store the reel with the drags loosened and in an upright position, as if you were fishing with it. Some reels have drain weep holes in their bottoms which will enable the now diluted salt water to exit the reel.
As to the previous poster, regarding the soaking of Penn reels. If the reels are greased in the aforementioned manner. That would be an excellent way to rid the salt. That is if all the inner metal has been greased. If not you still open yourself up to corrosion issues. Most Penn reels only come with a one year warranty. What happens in the subsequent years when you followed their instructions and your anti reverse bearing fails. I believe it will be your turn to pony up. Prevention is the key to success! Now getting the fish to cooperate with your now properly lubricated reel. That's another story!
Reels are machines. Not unlike cars. Hell, I've even seen a Rolls Royce or two on a towtruck. Bring along a spare rod and reel, as a backup for the unknown. AAA doesn't do reels!
Oh yeah, sorry, one more thing. Don't lube the plastic parts, especially the gears. It will only gum up and give the salt, dirt and grime a place to attach. Again, a light rinse will remove the salt from those parts.
Catch 'em up!
Pete
Last edited by Pete; 10-06-2010 at 12:28 PM..
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10-04-2010, 08:17 AM
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