Fishing Reel Maintenance

Reel maintenance is an important routine that should be performed each year, unless you are the kind of person who likes to throw out their equipment, or who doesn't mind dealing with a busted gear or disc while out on the water.

The routine is quite simple, make sure you have a container handy, a fresh spool of line, and a set of small screwdrivers. You'll need a can of WD-40 and a can of light machine oil.

First get rid of the old line, then remove the bail, unscrew the handle, remove the housing cover. Put all the screws and small parts in your small container so you won't lose them.

Use the WD-40 to spray on boths sides of the bail assembly. This will prevent binding. Then, use a few drops of oil on the shaft and on the handle. Also make sure to use a few drops on the gears.

Reassemble the reel, wipe off any excess oil and lube, then tie on some fresh line.

The whole process takes very little time and the results are amazing. Do it every year and you can keep the same reels for the rest of your fishing life.

This process applies to most spinning reels, such as those made by Shimano, Abu Garcia, Rapala, Daiwa, Quantum, Mitchell, Pflueger, and most other makers as well.