Changing the gear is sometimes time-consuming, but you have to do it regularly if you do not maintain your gear properly. The fishing reel also demands to maintain although maintenance is critical. But your little effort can make this gear last longer.
Oiling the reel is not that difficult. It is the only chance to enhance their performance, so every fisherman should learn the basics about the angling reel and oil them properly.

Steps and Guides on How to Oil Fishing Reel
Most of the part of the reel is made from metal. Lack of oil can make them rusting. To learn how to oil the reel, read this article carefully.
Things You Will Need
- Spinning reel
- Cotton swabs
- paper towels
- Reel oil
- Small brush
- Reel grease
- Reel cleaning solvent
- Light bristle brush
- Clean rags
- Screwdriver
What is Fishing Reel and Rod Oil
Fishing oil is a special blend of additive and oil or super lube, making fishing item smooth and in working condition for a long time. It also helps you to have better casting distance and comfortable operations, especially with trout fly fishing.

Oiling a reel is an essential part of taking good care of the reel and reel parts. Here is how you can oil your daily spinning and casting reel.
Preparation
First of all, choose a place where you can do the process without getting any disturb. It should be well ventilated and well lighting area. Put a clean, bright color cloth to see the tiny parts of your when disassemble them.
If you are cleaning a reel and oil, the process is slightly different from oiling worm gears or rods. So, the preparation is different in oiling rod, reel, rod, and reel combo to a worm gear.
Start with the Bail
The reel has a bail flips, and the main point is connected with two sides. There are two openings in the bail. Just open the bail, take a brush, pour some cleaning solvent on it, scrub the bail connection points, line rollers, and another area and then wipe it with a clean rag.
Let it dry completely. After that, grab your reel oil and put two or three drops of oil in each part. Move the parts so that the oil can automatically seep in.
Oil the Spool
Twist the knob clockwise so the spool can come out from the reel body. Apply cleaning solvent on the spool, and drag knobs, then wipe it with a cotton rag.
After dry all the parts, oil the exposed areas, main shaft and gears, spool lips, etc. remember, you have to remove all the dirt and grime from the areas before oiling them.
Oil the Reel Bearings
Remove the bearings from the reel body and remove seals from the bearing using a small knife. Take a swab and rub the bearings to clean the dust and old grease. Now apply oils to the bearings and seals, handles, screw caps, and other parts carefully.
Oil the Reel Body
After oiling, the drive gear bearings, bail, line roller, and other port, reassemble all the parts and oil the entire reel body again. Check all the moving parts to see if they are moving smoothly.
How to Oil a Bait Casting Reel
Oiling a baitcasting reel is slightly different but not critical. If you oil it regularly, the reel provides high performance and can avoid costly repair.
Tools You Will Need
- Screwdriver
- Reel oil, reel grease
- Swab
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Small toothbrush
- Paper towel or rags etc.
How To Oil Fishing Reel: Process
Remove the spool assemble via turn key dial. Clean the dirt and debris with a cotton swab and rub the area with rubbing alcohol. Clean all the salts completely. Clean the pinion gear, brake collars, spool shaft, bearings, and other parts with a cotton swab, then oil them carefully.

Oil the brake case and drive shaft bearings so that these areas will be safe from corrosion. Oil the side plate, yoke springs, drag spacer, etc. after oiling all these parts, reinstall them carefully, and check if they are rotated properly.
Choose Correct Lubricant
Using the right lubricant for a casting reel is very important. The whole reel maintenance depends on it. Use oil for all bearings and light-weighted grease. Grease gears with caution and proper attention.
Heavy grease is not good for interior parts such as pinion gear, drive shaft, roller bearings, clutch pawl, etc. oil all these parts every couple of months and use grease once in a year. If you use the reel in saltwater, lubricate it more.
Use only a couple of drops in each bearing. Some of the correct lubricants are
PENN Reel Oil and Lube Angler Pack
It is made from the highest quality components and best for regular reel maintenance. This synthetic reel oil and grease is perfect for your monofilament line and body.
This, along with lighter fluid, are best for small items and can have better lubing than regular lubrication to coat gears with smoothness.
Fishlor Reel Grease and Lubricant
This works great in reel bearings. You can tackle the casting reel strongly. The anti-rust and noise reduction system can make the reel stable and longer-lasting. You will get a combo like pliers and a 2-in-1 screwdriver.
Clenzoil Marine & Tackle Reel Oil
This lubricant will protect all the parts and components of your angling reel. There is a bearing oil applicator, which makes your job easy to oil the bearings. You do not need to wash out the grease. It will perform for a long time.
Before applying the grease, use soapy water and lighter lubricants for cleaning stuff. Then you can apply it.
Abu Garcia Reel Oil & Grease
The formula is a low viscosity, and this lubricant is best for preventing corrosion. Abu Garcia is best for baitcasting reel. Last year, our team member went to steelhead fishing with some old gears, and this item came really handy on their trip.

These are proper cleaning supplies also for casting brakes and scrub gears, giving a light coating.
You can use simple green cleaning components and other lubricants and greases to do the same works. These lubricants, like simple green, will help to oil worm gears and reels of different companies like Shimano, Pflueger. Abu Garcia, Kastking, etc.
Can You Use Vaseline on Fishing Reel?
Vaseline does not work like grease on a reel. Using Vaseline can make the reel impossible to use. Vaseline dry easily, and when it gets heat, it turns into liquid. So, it will not be a good decision to go for fishing in the summer or any hot day using Vaseline on the reel.
Use Vaseline only in drag washer. It is effective in there as Vaseline can make the drag washer soft for a long time. If you want to store your reel for a long time, use Vaseline to lube the reel. It will prevent corrosion.
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