Well, this will be one of the few weekends of the year that I will not be out fishing. Time to do some maintenance. We all do some heavy cleaning when we restore a reel for the first time. But after that, how much effort do you recommend putting in? At a minimum, I will remove the old grease with a paper towel. All the reels I have to work on do not have saltwater intrusion (if that happened they get worked on immediately). So, I am thinking of skipping any kind or soapy soak because it adds a lot of time for parts to dry out. But, if you think it is a good idea (to remove more grease and any traces of salt) then I will stop being lazy and do it. I know a lot of you guys use some serious solvents and ultrasonics, but isn't that more just for the "first" service. Just curious.
you know the thing about the cobbler's children having no shoes?
the maintenance for my own local gear is pretty slim. i go through it at the very beginning, then just have the kids give it a hose down and maybe a towel dry after every trip. then i only pull a rod out of the rotation if there is a problem.
for long range gear, i repack the braid and redo the topshots before a trip, and check to make sure it cranks ok and that the freespool is ok. i only pull them apart if there is a problem. :-\
Quote from: alantani on January 19, 2019, 05:09:12 PM
you know the thing about the cobbler's children having no shoes?
the maintenance for my own local gear is pretty slim. i go through it at the very beginning, then just have the kids give it a hose down and maybe a towel dry after every trip. then i only pull a rod out of the rotation if there is a problem.
for long range gear, i repack the braid and redo the topshots before a trip, and check to make sure it cranks ok and that the freespool is ok. i only pull them apart if there is a problem. :-\
Ha! Well, I'd like to say your secret is safe with me. On a related note, I only fish with my worst looking reels. I know the insides are good ;)
I'll admit my reels don't get much attention either, because I'm working on other peoples reels or rods. I have two blanks waiting for me to build for myself for the last year and a half, can't seem to get to them. With the business coming this year it even worse to get to my own things.
Joe
P.S I would try to give your reels a going over at least before the season.
I have 4 reels that get used most every day outside of blizzard, arctic type weather. Side plates are removed on two of these every 3 weeks. Every thing that can be reached is cleaned & lubed. These are used mostly in fresh water but get dunked fairly regularly. Once a year I do a complete strip replace worn parts & usually spool bearings are replaced in my main reel used for casting.
This is a bit much for most but since doing this I have never lost a fish do to reel failure. Catching issues before they become a problem. Like to keep it this way... Jeff
I forgot to mention I have two Penn reels that need attention that I bought here. If you brake down your reels every year your doing better then I do.
Joe
Generally just a quick check of all functions and smoothness before the season.
For most of us, since we understand and have gone into the reel previously — used good grease, oil, and drags, and properly set them up — little is typically needed unless there is an issue — which most of us can detect and correct fairly quickly, anyway.
If used, each year — I do however switch out the line if it is mono — and has been used hard the year before. I do not switch out braid until needed, or leadcore — just fresh topshots.
Best,
Fred
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
-steve
Quote from: alantani on January 19, 2019, 05:09:12 PM
you know the thing about the cobbler's children having no shoes?
I dont now if that made me laugh or cry
most of my closed fishing pals use "custom rods" or full restored customized rods handcrafted by me and I only have one rod build for me and that happened 1 month ago still havent used it.
about the regular maintenance for own reels, well seems that everyone does the same, full and deep clean-up and change of broken parts and bearings, later just shower with the hose with no much water presure, towel and after 3-4 trips a drop of oil here and there and only check it out again if it starts to make "funny" sounds.
but I do recomment my friends and rest of local fishermen to send me their reels off-season for the annual maintenance and avoid any expensive problem later and thats not a lie, thats just cobbler's children Syndrome.
Okay, thank you. Looks like I am overdoing it once again by taking off last year's grease.
Having had a loose handle-side bearing in the surf, I am getting in the habit of doing a quick check on all the external parts - side plate screws, bridge screws and bearings before each outing. You might say I have a few screws loose anyway.
I don't think takin off last years grease with a paper towel will do anything but good for your reels. I even use a small artists paint brush, wiping it constantly on the towel. The grease traps alotta dirt, carbon fiber particals, salt crystals, etc. Perhaps without all that crap in there, the reel will wear slower...
With my older generation reels I just did as Alan, when I notice something not 100% I would check it out and fix.
Did do a decent service once a year, or so but I used the stuff so much that was essential, if only to replace grease on gears.
My more modern reels I need to attend to so regularly that it has become a pain in the butt and in the wallet for all the spares required! ???
I usually inspect and re-oil bearings that were not greased when doing a in season service. AR bearings really need more "service time" than most people will do, I've replaced several ignored ones in the last few weeks.
Quote from: alantani on January 19, 2019, 05:09:12 PM
you know the thing about the cobbler's children having no shoes?
I hear ya here Alan, I lost a handle side spool bearing on the last SOA trip that should have been replaced before I headed south. It was on the MX (30#) that I chased the BFT around the boat 4 times with. The bearing came out in pieces when I opened up the reel. This has prompted me to go through my LR gear for the next SOA trip.
seasonal :D
this really depends on how much I used them the previous season. this past year my salmon gear didn't get that much use so just a clean and light corrosion X wipe down. if all functions are in good working order I defer maintenance until a future date for my reels. I know that if I need to tear one down it will be a 30 minute to one hour project so I don't think its a big deal.
takes me a lot longer and costs a lot more money to get the boat and its gear ready to go. Downriggers need attention every year.
this year I have to upgrade the trailer too, new tires and rims, service and clean all the brakes, repace the brake lines, add an electric over hydraulic actuator, upgrade the lights. Im not letting another season go by without being able to make a couple runs to San DIego and get out after those BFT that have been making regular visits the past few years.
Its always something. if not my toys its the house, new roof, new front yard, new driveway, plumbing is all messed up, microwave blew a fuse, toilet wont flush.
And this year I promised to help a friend replace the fuel tank in his boat, thats gonna take us a month to complete.
I better get motivated pretty soon or Im gonna miss part of the salmon season.
In my situation I have a problem that most on this forum do not seem to suffer from - I have too much gear and don't go fishing enough! :D Using a setup only 2 or 3 times in a year just doesn't warrant a full teardown unless it "exhibits symptoms". I also have a questionable memory, so one thing I am really anal about is that I have tags on all of my gear, for two reasons. The main one is that it reminds my feeble memory of what was done when, what # of line, drags, on what date, etc, The second reason is I put a brief summary of the history and origin of the rod/reel. If something were to happen to me, my family is going to have to sort through a serious volume of stuff, and it will help them if they or my fishing buddies know they are holding something that has been in the family for 4 generations vs. something that I found a Garage Sale deal on and cleaned up, then they can decide what to do with it. Several times I have helped non-fishing friends sort through their parents estates, and we have all had that "if this rod/reel could talk" episode.
mmm....
judging from the response here, i am over-doing my reel mantainance.
Guess i will start stripping everything down once in 1 and a half years or when they exhibit problems.
Or when they exhibit problems, surtainly don`t wont a fish on when that happens, loose a good fish, and it is getting costly. happy fishing cheers Don.
Quote from: Reel Beaker on January 26, 2019, 12:49:38 PM
mmm....
judging from the response here, i am over-doing my reel mantainance.
Guess i will start stripping everything down once in 1 and a half years or when they exhibit problems.
I was thinking, "is it possible to overdo maintenance".....if you enjoy doing it, a little bit of extra grease and oil can't do any harm?
But what about the spring or washer that disappears, I have twice dropped something that got damaged in the process, the constant undoing and tightening of screws damages them and they need replacing eventually and or threads get stripped.
So yes, I think you can over do it! ???
Quote from: Cor on January 27, 2019, 06:15:45 AM
So yes, I think you can over do it! ???
I agree, especially with modern light weight composite reels. There is a limit to the number of times you can take them apart and put them back together without wearing out the screws and screw holes. The manufacturers brag about smoothness and how many ball bearings their reels have. But, that smoothness and those ball bearings come with a heavy maintenance cost. Personally, once I have been inside a reel once or twice it becomes a chore and not particularly interesting or fun. I think the best reels are those that can handle abuse and keep on doing their job without much maintenance.
-steve
With my blue water trolling reels I might go three years without a service. They are always cleaned correctly after each outing. The line gets serviced each year.
We use four spinning reels on our trips. It's the same with those too.
If you service them correctly and take care of them you don't need to do it each year for most of us. If your fishing heavily more service intervals are needed.
Keith
I have charter captains that bring their reels in each year. One Capt really takes care of his and it shows when you open them up. The other ones will make you cringe.
I do maintenance on a couple of reels for a friend.
On new reels, if I clean them once a year they stay happy. Unfortunately he waited 3 years and I had to take them completely apart, but was able to keep them as new.
I think a reel should be serviced at least once a year, doing so will keep that reel it top shape.
Different story if you only fish it once or twice a year.
Sal
Quote from: oc1 on January 27, 2019, 08:33:43 PM
Quote from: Cor on January 27, 2019, 06:15:45 AM
So yes, I think you can over do it! ???
I agree, especially with modern light weight composite reels. There is a limit to the number of times you can take them apart and put them back together without wearing out the screws and screw holes. The manufacturers brag about smoothness and how many ball bearings their reels have. But, that smoothness and those ball bearings come with a heavy maintenance cost. Personally, once I have been inside a reel once or twice it becomes a chore and not particularly interesting or fun. I think the best reels are those that can handle abuse and keep on doing their job without much maintenance.
-steve
I feel that small flat-head screws are more proned to getting bricked. If the reel is still in production and screw parts are readily available it is not that bad. But i guess when reels are out of production, it may be time to retire the reel and let it seat as a paper-weight as a reminder of good old times...
Quote from: Reel Beaker on January 30, 2019, 03:47:40 PMBut i guess when reels are out of production, it may be time to retire the reel and let it seat as a paper-weight as a reminder of good old times...
My go to halibut reels were discontinued in the mid 80's and I will not let them gather dust.
The baitcasting reels that see regular use (a half dozen round Ambassadeurs) get a yearly teardown, cleaning, lube, new line and inspection for worn parts.
My spinning reels don't get as much use, so they get serviced on as "as needed" basis.
I also have 8 or 10 spincasters for the grandkids to use that get new line and clean 'n' lube as necessary.
Tom
I fish salt water every other day! I use low profile bait casters! I usually tear them down, clean and re lube at the beginning of the season, and at the end! Roughly fourish months! But if I see one of my reels start to get rough, I'll tear it down, clean and re lube as needed, depending on how hard I fish that particular reel!! If it gets dunk, it's an immediate tear down and cleaning! But for the most part, after every outing, I gently rinse off the salt water in the shower with warm water, towel dry, oil the spool bearing every two or three outings! Then the reels I Barely use, I clean them once a year during the winter! Just to get the dust off them and oil the bearings, just to make sure they still work well! Those are my freshwater reels, which I don't fish much anymore! I should start trout fishing again, but I just don't like those damn mosquito, black flies and all the other biting insects! Getting older and crabbier, according to my better half!
Actually... my own reels does need some service! Too busy with the reels from the other fishers.. almost closed season for pike now over here in the netherlands, time to take the abu's apart and give them a full service..