Rod and Reel Maintenance
You have dreamed for years of buying quality tackle. The price of a rod or reel has nothing to do with how much care it needs. In many cases, the more expensive reels need more care due to the tolerances in the reel. Very expensive reels may not even have ball bearrings. Salt and sand are an enemy for ball bearings.
It doesn’t matter if you fish from a boat, pier, surf, or kayak. At the end of the day you need to clean and store your gear properly.
I still fish some Garcia Mitchell reels. They have not made these since the late 70’s and mine work great. Why? Because my Dad and my Grandfather taught me to care for my stuff.
Cleaning our tackle at the end of the day doesn’t mean piling it up and spraying with fresh water as hard as it will spray. In many instances this may force salt and sand into the working parts of the reel.
Instead take a bucket of soapy water and a fuzzy mitt, just like you use to wash the car, and wash the rod and reel. Then take the sprayer on the lowest level and gently wash the soap, salt and sand away.
Make sure to turn the reels upside down and drain excess water. If you're going to fish the next day you are good.
Once you are to the point you are not going to fish for a few days or more wipe the reels, guides, and reel seat with some sort of corrosion block or salt inhibitor.
After that spray the reel with Real Magic. It will not hurt the line and actually is the best fly line cleaner ever made.
Every few trips spray as many working parts as possible with Super Lube spray.
Lastly, once a year your reels need to be broken down and cleaned and have new grease and oil in them. You can do this yourself or bring them to the shop and have our trained techs do this for you. We are one of only one or two retail stores in the states with an ultra-sonic cleaner like the manufactures use. Check out the video below to see more about our ultra-sonic cleanic techniques. We are also a certified repair and warranty center for Shimano, PENN, Daiwa, Van Staal, and more.
Your tackle will out last you if you do these things.
