Investing in a high-quality spinning reel is a significant commitment for any angler. To ensure your fishing gear remains reliable and performs optimally, proper maintenance is essential. Modern spinning reels are designed with advanced technology, but even the best gear requires consistent care. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key steps to maintain your spinning reel and protect your fishing investment.
1. Post-Fishing Ritual: The Hose Down
Whether you’ve had a successful fishing day or simply spent time outdoors, one of the simplest yet most effective ways to care for your spinning reel is a post-fishing hose down. This ritual helps prevent approximately 80-90% of potential reel damage caused by salt and other contaminants.
- Gentle Rinse: Once back from your fishing escape, grab your garden hose and set it to the “shower” setting. You want a steady stream of water that won’t blast sand and salt into the reel’s delicate components.
- Top-Down Approach: Hold your reel upright and let the water flow from the top down. Avoid turning it upside down or applying water from the bottom, as this can push sand and salt further into the reel. Ensure water reaches every nook and cranny, including the line roller and the line itself, Note during the rinsing stage we keep the drag pressure on about the same pressure we would use when fishing this prevents water entering the drag system and causing problems.
2. Drying and Storage
After the thorough rinse, it’s time to dry and store your reel properly.
- Shake It Off: Give your reel a few shakes to remove excess water.
- Air Dry: Place the reel in a dry, well-ventilated area, ideally indoors, to let it air dry completely.
- Drag Off: Before storing, remember to slightly release the drag pressure to prevent unnecessary pressure on the drag washers during storage,this will help prolong the life of your drag washers.
3. Preventative Maintenance
- Spray protection: Lightly spray your reel with a suitable protective lubricant like Inox or Ballistol. Pay attention to critical areas like line rollers, bail arms and any other moving parts.
- Wipe Over: Use a clean rag to wipe evenly wipe the protective lubricant over the reels exterior. This additional layer of protection helps ward off corrosion.
- Handle Maintenance: If your reel has a two piece handle assembly, loosen the handle to access the join,then apply a good shot of protective lubricant.If this area is left untouched corrosion will cause premature breakage.
4. Specialty Maintenance: Drag Stack
To ensure your spinning reel’s smooth performance, focus on maintaining the drag stack. We’ve got a more indepth tutorial on how to maintain your drag stack here.
- Drag Stack: Avoid sticky drag situations by maintaining the drag stack. Depending on your reel’s design, you might need to disassemble the spool and remove the drag stack. Clean and re-grease the washers, ensuring a smooth drag system.
Conclusion: Caring for your spinning reel is a blend of simple routines and specialized maintenance. By adopting a regular post-fishing hose down, proper drying, and targeted upkeep, you can ensure your spinning reel remains in peak condition for years, even decades. Your investment in quality gear is worth protecting, and with these techniques, you can pass down a well-maintained spinning reel that’s ready for generations of fishing adventures.