Cleaning and maintaining the fishing reel regularly should be every fishing lovers must doing the job. You cannot go for fish with your dirty, broken reel and rod as they don’t help you to enjoy this game properly. So, a regular inspection and keep them clean is necessary.
You have to be careful about cleaning the reel every time as it is a sensitive tool so any wrong move can break or damage it.
To know how to clean the fishing reel you should know every part of it. It is not simple to clean so you have to follow some steps which you can learn from this article because here we will tell you the detailing guide about baitcasting or spinning reel cleaning.
Why Cleaning is Needed
Reels play a vital role to catch big fish because everybody is not that strong to tug with big fish to bring it close. So, taking care of the reel is very important. Unnecessary dust or grease can make the reel weaker so a regular cleaning can make the reel long-lasting.
Cleaning Materials
Before starting the cleaning process, take out all the parts of your fishing rod and reel and put them on a towel so that you can reattach them after cleaning and don’t forget any parts.
Few things you will need for cleaning the casting and spinning reel. Here is the fishing equipment parts list.
- Screwdrivers
- Tweezers
- Toothbrush
- Toothpick
- Wrench
- Cleaning solution
- Soft cloth
- Synthetic reel oil
- Synthetic reel grease
How to Clean Fishing Reel
Freshwater and saltwater reels are slightly different and they require different cleaning methods. Saltwater contains salt which can quickly damage the reel.
So, whenever you go for saltwater fishing, you should clean your reel after every trip. But when you go for freshwater fishing, clean the reel every after 5 trips will be better.
Process of Deep Cleaning a Spinning Reel
Gather everything you have to disassemble the reel before start the cleaning process because you cannot clean all the inches and corners without taking any part apart. Choose a place where you will clean your reel and gather all the cleaning equipment near to you.
Working on a table would be better as you can put all the disassembled parts so they won’t lose. If you do not have any table, put a floor matt on the floor and work on them.
Disassemble the Reel Carefully
Before disassembling, read the user manual and use some tools to disassemble on how to pull off the reel from the fishing rod. There are many fishing rods like some of the Penn rod and other companies have an easy user manual for the disassemble process. Read them.
Keep in mind that if you are not comfortable with disassembling, do not do it otherwise you may break any parts. For more info, see online videos to do the job. Put all those tiny parts on the table or matt. You can be numbering each component so reassemble them will be easy.
Disassembling Process (Fishing Rod, Reel)
If you are a lefty, hold down the reel with your right hand and slowly disassemble the reel cover, center-shaft, spool, and clutch ring. If you are not comfortable please read the user manual and watch videos.
As the parts are tiny, clean every corner and inches then put them on a colorful towel so that they can be visible and the towel will absorb all the water.
Write Down Numbers
It is difficult to remember the part by part assembling process, so use masking tape and write numbers on every part so whether you forget, you can reassemble them using the numbers. Put the metal parts away, and use wire clips for wires. When you remove the fishing line from the spool, put it in a safe place.
Use Tweezers
Use Kit to place the tiny parts as they can be lost easily. The reel kit also keeps them safe from damage. For cleaning, simply hold them with your non-leading hand and use another hand to clean. So that you could clean them comfortably.
Remove the Pool
Secure the fishing line before removing the spool. Use masking tape or a clip so that you won’t face the wiring problem.
Cleaning the Parts
Do not use gasoline to clean the reel. Take a toothbrush or small paintbrush then dip it into the cleaning solution. Brush every part of the reel slowly and rub the stained area. After that, rinse the parts with warm water and wipe them with a clean towel. Do not give force to wipe them.
Clean Excess of Cleaner
Clean every corner of the parts so that there won’t be any cleaner left. Clean the excess liquid, dust, and minerals properly. After that, leave them at room temperature so that they can dry completely.
Clean Reel After Saltwater
The cleaning process of the saltwater fishing reel is a little different than fresh water fishing. You should clean the reels after every use. First of all, remove the salts and dirt from the reel by brushing them.
Just drag the reel so water can come out from inside. Take the reel and come to your sink. Run some warm water but do not put the reel directly under the water, just spray the water on the reel.
Rinse the water underneath the reel. After that, spin the reel so all water can come out too. Take a paper towel to clean the reel. Spray reel cleaning on the monofilament line and reel the rub it with a brush.
Brush every tight spot thoroughly. After cleaning the reel, again rinse out with warm water and let it dry. Check every corner if there is any small amount of salt left.
How to Clean Reel Bearings: Proper Cleaning Process
The reel is a fishing gear having a very tiny part and the cleaning process is a little complicated yet simple. You will just need a small brush, ball bearing cleaner soap, and a lightening lube. The lightening lube removes the oil and soapy water protects the bearing.
- First of all, take out the seals from bearing with a small knife. The bearing has three seals and reinstalling them is easy. Put the seals in a safe place.
- Put the bearings in a container then pour some bearing cleaners in it. Hold the container and shake a little so that the bearings can soak the cleaner properly.
- After scrubbing, take a small brush and scrub the bearings slowly. Use a toothpick to clean the corners. Rinse the bearing with warm water and leave it to dry.
- When the bearing is dry, soak it into bearing soak or lightening lube. This will help the bearing prolong its life. The process is the same, just put the bearing in a container and pour the lightening lube. Leave the bearing for at least 15 minutes then dry it.
- After dry the bearings, put one drop of oil on it. Now the bearing is ready to reinstall.
How to Clean a Bait Casting Reel
Cleaning a baitcasting reel is also easy and overwhelming. If you regularly clean your baitcasting reel, it will extend the reels life. Just take a reel oil and grease, a couple of q tips, a small screwdriver, a small wrench, and pliers.
Cleaning Process
A baitcasting reel has a screw-on its head. Unscrew it and open the plate. Pull the spool out from it and take out all the parts using a screwdriver. Lay them in a safe place. Pour some drop of washing detergent on a clean cloth then wipe the reel.
Rub the area of salts, spots, impurities, and all the outside place. After cleaning the outside, clean the inside also.
Take a container and pour some cleaning solution on it. Soak the reel in the solution for a couple of minutes then brush and clean all the liquids. After that, remove all the parts like handle knobs, spool shaft, stabilizer bar, etc., and brush them separately. Rinse all of them in warm water then let them dry.
How to Clean a Rusty Fishing Reel
If your reel has corrosion, you should not leave it. You can clean the corroded area quickly. Gather some line nippers, a soft nylon brush, rust cleaner, and a soft brass brush. Just cut the tag end and take out the spool. Take the cap off so that you will get access to all the tiny parts. Now pour some corrosion cleaner on a soft rag and wipe all the corroded area.
If the rust is not removed, take the brush and clean the area until the rust is gone completely. Take the nylon brush and clean all the parts thoroughly. Gently brush the corroded area and wipe down with rags. Do not give much force otherwise the reel could break.
Process of Reel Lubrication
Lubricate the reel is one of the most important parts to keep it long-lasting. You should oil the reel regularly to tune it well.
- First of all, lubricate the handle area. Take a q tip and pout a drop of oil in it. Oil all the small parts with that q tip. There is a small handle knob, put a drop of oil in there too. Leave the handle and the oil can automatically seep all the area and corner.
- Take a little bit of grease and put it on the handle then twist the knob. Also, put the grease in between the gear and body. Then spin the rotor so the grease will reach all the parts.
- Do the same process another side, lubricate the bearings and shaft, and other parts. Check all the points and oil there properly.
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