How do you rinse your reels after fishing?

[tbae]

Hi everyone - Instead of visiting my usual bait and tackle store to have my reel serviced, I went to another place and as I was talking to the owner about my fishing habits (i only fish piers/docks 1-2 times per week and always wash my rod and reels after use), I was surprised when he said that you shouldn't even run fresh water over your reels because then water seeps in and your bearings get rusty.

I told him that I always wash my reels (I didn't tell him I use a hose and apply indirect water pressure such that I just run the water over my reels without directly aiming at my reels) but I especially take time to wash out the spindle and he said that you only need to wipe off your reels by spraying them with water using one of those manual ("Windex-style") water spray bottles.

Now that said, I never really had issues with my reels (I just have them serviced about once per year) but wanted to know what everyone's post-wash fishing habits are to ensure that reels last a long time.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

 

[Ken Jones]

What we have long suggested:

General Reel Maintenance
by Ron Crandall of Ron's Reel Repair (March 1997)

1. Clean your reel after every use!
Rinse reel gently with fresh water after use in salt-water. DO NOT rinse with water at high pressure as this will force salt into the reel and cause corrosion problems.

2. Lubricate reel after rinsing.
After reel is thoroughly dry, apply a moisture dissipating-type lubricant such as Corrosion-X, to a rag, and wipe reel with the rag. DO NOT spray the reel with the lubricant as this will cause the reel to collect dirt.

3. Use proper lubricant when overhauling your own reels.
Use Penn lubricant, or other light grease such as Lubriplate #105. DO NOT use boat axle grease.

4. If you drop your reel in the sand.
STOP! DO NOT test to see whether it still works. Use a spare reel and overhaul your reel or take it to a repair shop for overhaul. Turning a reel with sand in it has a 95% chance of breaking parts.

5. Periodic maintenance saves costly repairs.
DO NOT get caught in the old myth of "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It."

 

[TheFrood]

Generally I don't buy expensive gear... so, you know those beach-showers? Yeah. That. Replacing a $30-40 fishing reel every 3-4 years isn't an unbearable financial hit (usually last a lot longer) and if the gear somehow gets lost or stolen, it doesn't break my heart. When I analyze my habits actually, I seem to spend more on the rod (but not that much. My most expensive rod is still only about $100) but really really skimp on the reel (but
I usually have a spare reel on hand for when one inevitably goes out too).

 

[bassfanatick]

Hi everyone - Instead of visiting my usual bait and tackle store to have my reel serviced, I went to another place and as I was talking to the owner about my fishing habits (i only fish piers/docks 1-2 times per week and always wash my rod and reels after use), I was surprised when he said that you shouldn't even run fresh water over your reels because then water seeps in and your bearings get rusty.

I told him that I always wash my reels (I didn't tell him I use a hose and apply indirect water pressure such that I just run the water over my reels without directly aiming at my reels) but I especially take time to wash out the spindle and he said that you only need to wipe off your reels by spraying them with water using one of those manual ("Windex-style") water spray bottles.

Now that said, I never really had issues with my reels (I just have them serviced about once per year) but wanted to know what everyone's post-wash fishing habits are to ensure that reels last a long time.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

I use Shimano Vanford and Shimano Tranx, they have specific washers and things to prevent saltwater intrusion, but I rinse my reels after fishing with a garden hose, low pressure and shower pattern, afterward I would wipe the reels down right away. For reels that aren't like that, you can upgrade the bearings to ceramic bearings and not have to worry about rust, example: https://www.acerracing.com/products/3x10x4mm-ceramic-ball-bearing-size-623

 

[HookedUp!]

Hi everyone - Instead of visiting my usual bait and tackle store to have my reel serviced, I went to another place and as I was talking to the owner about my fishing habits (i only fish piers/docks 1-2 times per week and always wash my rod and reels after use), I was surprised when he said that you shouldn't even run fresh water over your reels because then water seeps in and your bearings get rusty.

I told him that I always wash my reels (I didn't tell him I use a hose and apply indirect water pressure such that I just run the water over my reels without directly aiming at my reels) but I especially take time to wash out the spindle and he said that you only need to wipe off your reels by spraying them with water using one of those manual ("Windex-style") water spray bottles.

Now that said, I never really had issues with my reels (I just have them serviced about once per year) but wanted to know what everyone's post-wash fishing habits are to ensure that reels last a long time.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

I usually just disassemble the reels, rinse them off in the sink, and then spray them with WD-40. I leave it to sit overnight, then the next day spray the reels again with water, reassemble them, and either put the reels in storage or back on the rod.