How to Clean a Fishing Reel?

I cannot emphasize enough that cleaning and maintaining your reel is necessary if you want it to stay with you for an extended period.

The main reason why your fishing reel stops working is due to the lack of maintenance and wrong cleaning methods. In this guide, I am going to share with you some maintenance tips that will help you clean any kind of fishing reel.

Table of Contents

How To Clean a Fishing Reel Maintenance Tips

I am going to walk you through the steps on how you can clean your fishing gear that you have recently used and will probably use again for your next fishing trip. The cleaning process I am about to discuss is not the gold standard cleaning process, which requires taking everything off and cleaning every corner; instead, this is best for cleaning gear in between fishing trips. Follow the instructions to safely and correctly clean your fishing reel:

The first step you must do is to tighten the drag. Do not forget this step because it ensures that no water actually gets into the reel or the drag.
Next, take out the hose, plug it into the tap, and turn it on. Furthermore, do not use strong water pressure when cleaning the reel, instead, use the mist option to gently clean the reel.
In addition, if you have a dedicated tool for applying the Salt-Away product, then do use it. It is excellent for thoroughly removing any saltwater sitting on your reel.
After thoroughly spraying the reel with water, just hold the rod by the stem and gently shake off the excessive water. Please be gentle when performing this step.
Next, gently place your rod in the shade to dry or any other place with a good temperature. Then, use a towel to clean any remaining salt deposits or water.
Lastly, do not forget to loosen the drag so that when you go on your next fishing trip, your drag is ready to use.

How To Oil a Fishing Reel?

After you have thoroughly cleaned your fishing reel, it is time to oil it. Oiling is necessary because it is a form of protection that shields the reel from corrosion. You can easily find lubricants in the market, but make sure that you have enough knowledge about what they are used for.

I avoid using petroleum-based lubricants because they can seriously make grease thinner, which is not good for parts that need proper lubrication. Follow the following steps to oil fishing reel:

After washing and drying the reel, detach the reel from the rod.
Afterward, unscrew the drag knob and take out the spool.
Apply a small amount of grease or lubricant to the moving part, which includes ball bearing, handle, and line roller. You can apply the light coating using a small brush or toothpick.
While applying oil, keep in mind that the product does not affect the seals, O-rings, and rubber handles.
Lastly, gently remove any excess.

The periodical care of your fishing reel depends on different factors, including your reel’s design, environment, how much it’s used, and the reel’s age. You must do consistent maintenance to avoid wear and protect your reel from corrosion.

Maintenance Tips

If you want your fishing reel to stay in top condition for a longer period, then you seriously need to thoroughly clean it and learn how to maintain it. Your fishing reels go through different conditions, such as salt, soil, etc., which can cause serious damage if you do not properly maintain them.

The main enemy of your reel is undoubtedly saltwater. Your first priority after a fishing trip is to thoroughly rinse off salt water from your reel.
You must clean your reel after the end of every fishing trip.
Always store your fishing gear in a dry place and avoid storing the wet reel inside a sealed container or plastic bag.
Do not forget to lubricate the moving components and refrain from using petroleum-based lubricants.
Your reel needs full service once a year. The full service, which includes disassembling and deep cleaning, depends on the fisherman’s nature and frequency of fishing.

Concluding Statement

To sum up, you must periodically clean your fishing reel to keep it in top condition and reduce wear. The cleaning process is simple and will only take a few minutes once you get used to it. Follow the instructions in this guide to successfully clean your reel.

You must also deep clean your fishing reel occasionally to save your money in the long run. I will advise you to clean your reel after every fishing trip, especially if you have been fishing in seawater.