Caring for Spinning Reels

[blakstr1]

Tips & Tactics
Ensuring that a spinning reel is ready for action demands some regular care
By Andy Crawford
BASS Times, June 2006

Elite angler Bill Lowen is one pro who keeps spinning gear in his arsenal.Spinning equipment definitely has its place in bass fishing. Spinning tackle, for example, is required gear when downsizing lures. It also allows an angler to more easily "skip" baits under docks and overhanging cover, places where baitcasting gear becomes a backlashing liability.

Ensuring that a spinning reel is ready for action demands some regular care, however. "If you want a car to last a long time, you take care of it," says Quantum's Bob Bagby. "The same thing is true of a fishing reel: You've got to perform some basic maintenance. You're going to get out of a reel what you put into it from a maintenance standpoint."

Bagby points out that the frequency of that maintenance depends on the environment in which the reel is being used. "If you're in a muddy, swampy area, you need to care for the reel more often," Bagby says. Bagby points out that using Quantum's Hot Sauce, a lubricant designed specifically for use on reels, during maintenance on any reel can extend the life of a reel even more.

"It actually bonds to the [reel] material at a molecular level," he says. "You still need a thin layer of lubrication, but even if it goes dry you'll still have that corrosion barrier."

Bagby notes that more detailed care can be done annually on spinning reels but requires significantly more disassembly. The simple steps below, however, can reduce the amount of major care needed. "It's an insurance policy," he says. "You will greatly increase the life of a reel with a little maintenance."

Here are some valuable tips on how to get the most out of your spinning reels:

Cleaning

Bagby says that removing dirt and grime is even more important with spinning reels than it is with baitcasting reels. "The [spool] shaft will transfer dirt and grime to the working mechanisms," he adds.

He warns against spraying equipment down with a water hose, suggesting instead that reels be lightly misted with water and wiped down with a rag. "It's a mist and wipe, not just dousing it with a high-pressure stream of water," Bagby says. "But you want to get that grime off of the reel."

Drive gear bearings

You can gain access to drive-gear bearings by removing the handle of the reel. The bearings will be found on either side of the frame. "Put a couple of drops of oil on the drive-gear bearings, and that's it," Bagby says. The handle can be replaced.

Line roller/bail hinges

The next step is to add a drop of oil on the line roller. "You can take the line roller off and the bearing out," says Bagby. "But if everything looks clean, just put a drop of oil there and that will work fine." Another drop of oil on both hinges of the bail completes this area of maintenance. "That will help the bail perform more freely," he says.

Drag

Drag assemblies on spinning reels are different from those on baitcasting reels. First, they are contained on the front of the spool. Second, they are composed of several layers.

"Make sure you note the order that these washers go back into the reel," Bagby says. Use a small screwdriver to pop out the clip on the front of the drag stack. The washers will drop out. A small amount of drag grease on each of the drag washers will help prevent tournament-winning bass from breaking off, he adds.

Before replacing the drag washers (in the proper order) and clipping them back in place, Bagby recommends wiping out the drag seat and the front of the spool to remove any grit that might interfere with smooth drag operation. "Make sure everything is clean, reassemble that drag stack, put the clip back in and you're ready to go," he says.

Drive shaft

Remove the drag knob on the front of the reel and pull the spool off the drive shaft. After wiping the shaft clear of any grime, Bagby says, add a bit of oil. "All you have to do is run a little bead of oil up both sides, and then work the rotor," he says. "That will pull some of the lubrication down into the reel and help lubricate that clutch bearing and the bearing on front of the pinion."

[REEL_MAN]

Good write up. there are a couple of things that also should be noted: When Bob is talking about a drop of oil he is referring to the use of a needle oiler. To much oil will actually slow a bearing, attract dirt and make things worse. If you use a line treatment try to protect the reel itself from the spray it also will attract dirt. A clean reel will last years and years and at the cost of $200 and higher for the top of the line reels you need to take the time to keep them clean to make them last.
I clean and repair reels all of the time and the two min reasons for problems is lack of cleaning and people trying to clean their reel and not getting it back together properly.? A reel may not look complicated, but if you don't put the parts back where they belong and in the right orientation you can damage your reel.? If you don't want to take the risk, take it to someone that works on reels professionally, it can save you money in the long run.


REEL_MAN

[blakstr1]

thanks for the added tips and clarification REEL MAN... helps to get the info from a pro!

[Dropshot]

Reel Man,

Great post. I love taking a part and cleaning my reels. The only problem is sometimes, unexpectedly, parts go flying when I take the a part the reel. Is they an easy way to prevent this ? Also, the diagrams that come with the reels are not very helpful with putting the reels back together. Is there somewhere I can get better diagrams ?

[blakstr1]

thats a great point and question...i know a couple guys that haven't been able to get them back to working order after they've cleaned them...

[Dan]

Hey Reel Man,
Do you repair and clean reels. If so what do you charge? I have a hard time finding someone to send reels too.

[REEL_MAN]

Dan,
Yes, I do clean and repair reels as well as rods. I work out of the Angler in Helmer, IN., But, I'm not posting here to solicit work though.  I just want to help eliminate problems as much as possible. Nothing is more frustrating than to have problems in a tournament. (it's a mental melt down ).
Dropshot, Your question about schematics; the ones that come with your reel are the same as I have only mine are larger (easier on the eyes). The detail really isn't much better and the drawings are VERY generic. Also, the parts that go flying are call "G" parts, when they fly you say GEE I wonder where that spring went and I've had a few of those  
If you all have any questions on rods or reels let me know and if you wonder how I fix rods ask RUFUS he's one of my best customers

REEL_MAN

[bshaner]

Just as an aside, with my quantum I had 2 GEE parts, fortunately I found one spring,  the other one I could not find.

I called quantum and the guy asked me what the part number was, what my name and address was and said it will be there in 5 to 7 days, have a great day.

No charge, no hassle, no questions.  I kind of liked that.  I was impressed.

Just FYI incase you lose a part.  I dont know how the other companies are but there ya go.

B

[djkimmel]

I emailed REEL_MAN and told him to go ahead and let you guys know how to get things to him if you ask. I know we can all use the services of a good repair place. He seems like a nice person and a great addition to the forum.