06/08/2022
How to Clean a Fishing Reel
At some point, every angler will have to clean his/her fishing reels to get them to last for years and work smoothly. Here's how to do it right.
At some point, every angler is going to have to clean his/her fishing reels if you want them to last. Like most anglers, I have my favorite fishing equipment I use regularly, take care of after each use and put away nicely.
But I also have a collection of rod-and-reel combos I pull from the garage a few times per year when our whole crew takes to the boat, bridge or shoreline. You know, the gear that requires untangling almost every time it’s used. The gear I end up replacing when something breaks because it’s just easier to buy a new one. The gear I picked up at a local hardware store while out of town because the kids found a fishing spot during the trip.
This is the gear that gets dirty, corroded, worn and abused – and is in bad need of a cleaning. Here’s how I clean a fishing reel.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Cleaning A Fishing Reel
Remove The Line Spool
When cleaning a fishing reel, start by removing the line spool. This prevents the line from unraveling and creating a bird’s nest on your workbench. It also prevents the line from accumulating the cleaning agent, grease or oil and leaving a trail in the water after your next cast.
How to clean a fishing reel
How to clean a fishing reel
Start by removing the line spool from the fishing reels.
Clean The Reel Body
Apply a thin coat of a good cleaner to the reel body. I use AMSOIL Metal Protector. Wipe down the reel body with a clean rag.
As the images show, AMSOIL Metal Protector does a fantastic job cleaning dirt and grime from your fishing reels.
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Cleaning a fishing reel
Cleaning a fishing reel
Your fishing reels can quickly accumulate dirt, grease and grime when you’re in search of trophy fish.
How to cleaning a spinning fishing reel.
How to cleaning a spinning fishing reel.
AMSOIL Metal Protector does a great job removing dirt and grime from fishing reels.
Grease/Oil The Gears
Next, disassemble the reel to expose the gears and see if greasing/gear l**e is needed. Check with the reel manufacturer for lubricant recommendations. A good gear lubricant or NLGI #2 grease should do the trick. I use AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Firearm Lubricant and Protectant. Apply a little lubricant to the gears.
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Clean The Reel Body
Apply a thin coat of a good cleaner to the reel body. I use AMSOIL Metal Protector. Wipe down the reel body with a clean rag.
As the images show, AMSOIL Metal Protector does a fantastic job cleaning dirt and grime from your fishing reels.
Grease/Oil The Gears
Next, disassemble the reel to expose the gears and see if greasing/gear l**e is needed. Check with the reel manufacturer for lubricant recommendations. A good gear lubricant or NLGI #2 grease should do the trick. I use AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Firearm Lubricant and Protectant. Apply a little lubricant to the gears.
BUY AMSOIL FIREARM LUBRICANT
Lubricate Pivot Points
With the reel disassembled, I also like to apply a little AMSOIL Metal Protector to any pivot points or other components.
Reassemble The Reel
Once everything is cleaned and lubricated, reassemble the reel and send it on its way for another weekend of fishing.
After cleaning our fishing reels, our crew had a successful weekend on the water. A couple people commented on how nicely the reels worked, we had no mechanical issues and, best of all, we caught our share of bluegill and crappie.
Mess of crappie
Mess of crappie
No doubt our freshly cleaned reels helped us land this mess of crappie and bluegill.
If your family is like mine, you love to fish. No matter how busy our schedules get with work, hockey, football and other activities, we always make time to get on the water. The last thing you want to do is waste that precious time messing around with a reel that doesn’t work.
Follow this process for cleaning a fishing reel at least once a year. It’s quick, simple and effective. If you get skunked, at least you won’t be able to blame your reel.
If you get skunked next time you’re out fishing, at least you can’t blame your reel if you clean and maintain it.
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