How to wash fishing reels?

Question

I just bought a catfish reel planning that I can use it for saltwater. Does anyone know how to wash and oil it after I'm done for the day? Do I have to take it all apart?

Any websites or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

It really depends on the reel. Some reels made for saltwater can last most of a season with minimal cleaning (I've seen crew on sportboats keep their tackle on board for months, fishing just about daily, with no problems.) I used to just spray my reels (and rods) lightly with fresh water at the end of the day to get the salt off the outside, then clean them thoroughly every 10-12 trips or so.

However, if it's made for freshwater, or if it gets dunked in salt water, you should clean it out thoroughly. (If you're fishing from a pier and not getting much salt water on it, then you probably don't need to worry about it as much, but on a boat or in the surf, there's enough salt spray that you should keep it clean.)

If you're opening it up after a day on the water and it looks fine inside (like no water got inside) that means you probably don't need to clean it out that much. If it's gunky, then definitely clean it. You'll just have to see how that reel stands up to the fishing you do.

But once you're done fishing for the season, make sure you clean it out thoroughly before you pack it away.

Answer 2

what i do is remove the reel from the rod and then spray the entire rod w/ freshwater (preferably tap water or hose water) then spray the reels w/ distille water to disolve any salt that might be on them. after letting them air dry i dismantle the reel and clean out the inside.

if it helps take a pic of the reel's insides before you clean it so you know how to put it back together. if it is a spinning reel do not take apart the bail!!
if the gears inside are dirty, wipe them down and re apply grease.

use OIL(make sure it is reel oil and not WD40) not grease to lube the line guide (only on bait casters) or line roller(only on spinning reels) and oil all of the moving parts on the outside of the reel.

to finish apply some oil (wd40 works good for the last step if u want to save oil) to a paper towel and wipe down the entire reel which will make it shine like new. the wipe it off w/ a clean paper towel

as for the rod,after you rinse it just let it air dry and it should be good as new if the line squeaks as it runs through the guides then apply some oil to a cotton swap and clean the guides w/ it. this wont harm line so you can do this in the middle of fishing and just keep going if u want

Answer 3

This is what I do. All the line must be removed afterwards and washed out I'll tell you how I do that later on this letter.
First of all you want to spray WD-40 all over your pole and reel everywhere. Soak it down and then enjoy your fishing.

When you get back from the Saltwater actuion fun day, I use a metal rod that I attached to another spool and a cordless drill.

I rewind the line from my pole while my wife hold the water hose over the rag keeping it soaked and wash my line out and dip it in the bucket.

Then I put the line from that reel back on fishign pole spool.

I rinse my pole off with water as well and remove the bell husing.
Lube it back up with WD-40 and your ready for the next trip.

Answer 4

You should take it apart (all of it) and wash it in warm soapy water(do this weekly if you fish salt water often), spray some WD-40 on it then wipe it off. WD-40 is not good for lubing reels. It will need some grease on gears, oil on shafts and bearings and level-wind mechanism. Some reels use grease on the drag system. Check to see if yours does. If not then DON'T PUT ANY there. I would recommend you get some "Hot Sauce Reel Oil and Grease" for maintenance on your reels. It is by far the best.
If you need parts to make your reel sing then see this site for super parts.
http://www.smoothdrag.com/

Answer 5

A reel shouldn't supply up working purely given which you dunked it in some salt water. All it could do is reason corrosion and you at the instant are not likely to get that plenty corrosion after one consultation in case you rinsed it such as you reported. it somewhat is in all probability ruined for different reasons. Is it a low value chinese language reel? if so, chuck it out and tell your dad he's stupid duffer for procuring this way of low value and crappy reel (appropriate of path).

Answer 6

Yes you will have to take it apart and clean all of the salt out of it.Then you will have to lube it again Vaseline is a good lube if you have to do it often it works great for that purpose and is inexpensive.Every time you Salt Water fish this will have to be done.A spray White Litheum Grease will lube the inner workings of the reel quite well.It's best to use one reel for salt water and one for fresh to save this every time you want to fish and still have a good drag.Have fun and KEEP FISHING!!!

Answer 7

Yes you need to take it apart and clean it with wd40 or you can go to a bass pro shops and buy reel cleaning kits.

Answer 8

I think Wd40 is dust magnet. you can try reel oil. use lubricant before fishing.