Cleaning your reel is important I'm afraid, if you want it to last, and to continue to perform. And nothing is worse than hooking that big one, only to have problems with your rod or reel. Not to mention it'll last a lot longer if you clean it once in a while!
You're reel really only needs cleaning once or twice a year--twice if you're in salt water often. Reel cleaning is not difficult but you do need to do it right. Let us begin with the tools required:
* one clean towel
* a small screwdriver (typically it's a Phillips head)
* a small bottle of reel grease, not WD-40 (WD-40 can leave residue which attracts dirt. Use a high quality reel oil and grease)
* a few Q-tips
* a couple of paper towels
Firstly, remove your reel from the fishing rod. Use some paper towels to completely wipe it down.
Now you need to remove the handle of your reel. This is usually done either by removing a screw that might be there on the handle itself, or else by winding the handle in a backward direction. With the handle off, sit it down on a clean paper towel.
Now make sure that the reel is lying in such a way that the screws that hold it together are exposed. Then remove these screws (usually there are between three and five) and place them next to the handle. This should expose a small plate which can now be removed. Remove that plate and put it next to your screws.
You should now see inside the reel. Clean any dirt you see in the reel with one of the Q-tips. Next, put a few drops of your reel grease on each of the gears.
Note: More is not necessarily better here! Too much grease will clog everything up. You really only need a tiny bit of reel grease to do the job properly.
To reassemble, simply reverse the above process. Put the plate back into place and screw in the screws. Before reattaching the handle though, add some grease to it as well. Finally, re-install the handle.
You're reel really only needs cleaning once or twice a year--twice if you're in salt water often. Reel cleaning is not difficult but you do need to do it right. Let us begin with the tools required:
* one clean towel
* a small screwdriver (typically it's a Phillips head)
* a small bottle of reel grease, not WD-40 (WD-40 can leave residue which attracts dirt. Use a high quality reel oil and grease)
* a few Q-tips
* a couple of paper towels
Firstly, remove your reel from the fishing rod. Use some paper towels to completely wipe it down.
Now you need to remove the handle of your reel. This is usually done either by removing a screw that might be there on the handle itself, or else by winding the handle in a backward direction. With the handle off, sit it down on a clean paper towel.
Now make sure that the reel is lying in such a way that the screws that hold it together are exposed. Then remove these screws (usually there are between three and five) and place them next to the handle. This should expose a small plate which can now be removed. Remove that plate and put it next to your screws.
You should now see inside the reel. Clean any dirt you see in the reel with one of the Q-tips. Next, put a few drops of your reel grease on each of the gears.
Note: More is not necessarily better here! Too much grease will clog everything up. You really only need a tiny bit of reel grease to do the job properly.
To reassemble, simply reverse the above process. Put the plate back into place and screw in the screws. Before reattaching the handle though, add some grease to it as well. Finally, re-install the handle.
About the Author:
Derek is serious when it comes to Shimano fishing. For more information on the best prices available online, visit Shimano reels.
No comments:
Post a Comment