A clean spinning reel is essential for fishing success. What happens if your reels get all gummed up?
You want a spinning reel that’s in top working condition. You want it to be able to cast lines accurately and quickly, so you can spend more time fishing.
But the saltwater is hard on those tiny parts inside. Fish slime gets stuck between them and prevents your reels from performing like they should.
When this happens, it’s frustrating! You’ll miss out on a big catch because of something that could have been easily fixed with some basic cleaning skills. The thought alone can be discouraging you to even go fishing again.
In fact, if your reel gets clogged up just once or twice too often and is cleaned in time there’s no harm done but over a period of years the damage adds up, damaging moving parts which requires costly repair. I’m going reveal 5 simple steps to cleaning it right at home.
Now that you know how bad not maintaining reels can be for your fishing trips, let’s look into these easy-to-do ways to give yours a life again.
1. Gather Essential Items
You can’t clean your reel without these essential items.
A soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or small bottle brush will be needed for this job. This tool allows you to reach those tight spaces where debris has accumulated.
For instance a lot of dirt and grime can get stuck in your reel’s tiny holes.
This is because these areas are hard to see with the naked eye, making it harder for any dirt that gets lodged there.
Understand what you need
Before cleaning your spinning reel, it’s essential to be prepared. Here are some things you’ll typically require.
Cleaning Essentials:
- A clean work surface
- Spinning Reel Brush
- Soft-bristled toothbrush (toothpaste-free)
- Small screwdriver or Allen wrench
Materials for Cleaning Solution:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
The right tools for the job, a sink, water and soap
Cleaning your fishing reel at home requires some common household items. These will help you complete this task easily.
A good starting point for any cleaning job starts with having a clean work area.
This means clearing off the sink and placing it on the counter so that there is enough space to get your hands in there without getting water everywhere. You’ll also want to make sure you have all of these items before doing anything else.
Next, fill a container with warm or cold water.
Some people like using hot water but this will be too harsh on the materials so just stick with room temperature and soap.
2. Remove Any Large Debris From Your Reel
Cleaning your fishing reel requires some effort, but it’s essential for optimal performance. Here’s how you can do it yourself.
Look For Visible Debris:
- Check the exterior of the reel for any visible debris or dirt that might have accumulated from recent use
- Use a soft brush to gently sweep away any loose material
Remove Internal Grime and Rust:
- Disassemble your reel, taking care not to damage its internal components. If unsure how this is done please refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
- Once disassembled you can clean out any dirt or grime that may have accumulated with a brush or small cloth
Inspect your reel before cleaning to see if there are any large pieces of debris stuck in it
It’s great you’re taking steps towards maintaining your equipment, so they continue working for years.
Reels are made up of many parts which can easily get dirty if not properly maintained.
For instance the bearings will slow down over time and start to grind.
Another thing is that some reel components such as drag washers, or even gears could become damaged from dirt accumulation.
Dirt in the reel can affect performance too if not dealt with properly.
Some of these include corrosion on parts like spool shafts and other moving pieces.
For example grime has been known to get stuck between components, thus leading to a sticky operation that prevents smooth action when turning.
3. Soak the Reel with Soap and Water
Cleaning your fishing reel regularly helps maintain its performance. It’s an important maintenance task for any serious angler.
Identify Any Debris Inside the Reel:
- Check if there are fish scales, hooks or other debris inside
- Remove anything you find to prevent damage
Disassemble and Rinse with Water:
- Disassembled the reel by taking out any removable parts such as spools or drag systems.
- Soak all components in a large container of clean water, ensuring they get completely submerged.
Fill your sink or a big bucket with water
You need clean water in order for everything else to work properly.
Water has properties that can help break down grime on your reel.
For example, it helps dissolve dirt and any other contaminants. This makes cleaning easier as you won’t have to scrub so hard.
It also prevents damage from debris getting stuck in the reel.
If water is not present then parts of your reel might get scratched or even completely break off during disassembly and reassembly.
Add some mild soap
Cleaning your spinning reel regularly helps maintain performance, prevents corrosion, and ensures safe handling.
Disassemble for Thorough Cleaning:
- Release spool tension to avoid damage.
- Remove any debris or dirt from the outer parts.
4. Clean and Rinse Your Reel Thoroughly
You should clean your reel thoroughly after each use. This will help you get the best performance out of it.
Dirt, grime, and old line can slow down a reel’s action over time.
For example, if there is dirt inside or on the exterior of a spinning reel it could cause drag in its gears.
And as you might know most reels are designed to be waterproof but water damage will eventually occur if not maintained properly.
Rust and corrosion can also build up over time.
For instance, saltwater fishing is more likely than freshwater to result in rusting because of the high levels of minerals.
Let the reel soak for some time
Cleaning your fishing rod’s reels at home can be an effective way to maintain them, but it requires attention.
- Regular maintenance improves performance.
- It reduces wear on the reel.
Removing Debris:
- Remove any loose debris like water or dirt from the spool
- Use a dry cloth for this purpose if necessary
Disassembling Parts:
- There are parts to remove and inspect when cleaning your reels.
Use warm, soapy water to wipe away grime from each part of the reel
The main reason you need to clean your spinning reel regularly has more to do with its performance than how it looks.
A dirty reel can lose effectiveness in casting, which affects catching fish. This happens because dirt or grime builds up and blocks the spool’s rotation.
Examples Supporting First Main point Even if you see no visible signs of mess on your reels, tiny particles have probably accumulated inside them over time.
If not properly maintained, it may even damage your fishing rod by creating friction within its moving parts.
Examples Supporting Second Main Point A damaged reel can be expensive to fix. The process would require replacement of the affected part or possibly buying a new spinning reel.
That is why cleaning reels regularly will help make sure they keep performing smoothly and you do not have any problems in your fishing experience
5. Dry and Oil Your Reel
Cleaning your fishing reel can be an intimidating task, but it’s crucial for extending its lifespan. Proper cleaning will ensure smooth performance when you’re out on the water.
Removal of Debris:
- Remove loose debris from the spool by gently tapping the side.
- Check and remove any tangled line or broken pieces
- Inspect reel guides, removing anything stuck
Deep Clean the Reel’s Interior
- A toothbrush helps get into small areas.
Wipe down the reel with a soft cloth
A clean spinning reel requires more than just wiping it down. The reel’s many parts need to be properly maintained.
The spool, for instance, should not have any dirt or debris left on it after cleaning.
You can see this as you look closely at the surface of a new spinning reel – It is smooth. This indicates that nothing will get in the way during fishing and drag issues are minimized.
The same goes for other parts like spool seals, bearings or gears.
Any damage to these can prevent your gear from working properly resulting in a decrease of performance.
Conclusion: A clean spinning reel will result in more successful fishing trips.
And there you have it. Cleaning a spinning reel is not as hard, but very necessary for your fishing trips success.
A clean rod has many other perks beyond giving one an edge in competitions: They are easier to use because of less resistance from old debris like dirt or grime that can sometimes even lock up the mechanisms.
With this cleanliness, you will also be able to feel a better sense for your catch strength so whether it’s trout fishing with spinning gear or catching big bass using heavier equipment they come out perfect.
A clean reel makes your next trip much less intimidating; knowing that everything is in working order and all the parts are free from grime means you can start each day feeling positive.
You know what to expect, which will keep stress levels lower.
Keep an eye out for how things go before getting too excited however.
