HOW TO CARRY OUT FISHING REEL MAINTENANCE?
Fishing is an expensive hobby, those who love it will probably nod their heads in agreement. In Pakistan, recreational fishing is popular during the months of September, October, November & December. People who enjoy recreational fishing understand the importance of maintaining their fishing gear. Most importantly, the fishing reel maintenance; as it bears the brunt of soil, sand, field or bait residues. Salt and water can damage your equipment quite easily by corroding them. Therefore, it is essential that you carry out routine maintenance after every fishing session & a thorough maintenance at the end of the fishing season. This will ensure that your fishing gear functions optimally for many years & you can enjoy your passion at the fullest.
Things you will need
Small brush
Distilled water
Microfiber cloth
Screwdrivers
Step 1
ROUTINE CLEANING OF THE REEL COIL
Unscrew the central screw & remove the wire coil from the reel. Check it both externally and in the rear towards the reel mechanism. Use the small brush to remove any unwanted debris or foreign particles. Then immerse it in some water. You will see a lot of impurities beginning to emerge on the surface of the water. If the reel is used for fishing at sea, a saline inflorescence will appear. Rinse the coil and dry it using a microfiber cloth thoroughly.
Step 2
ORDINARY CLEANING AND LUBRICATING THE ROTATION MECHANISM
After every fishing session, a minimal cleaning routine which consists of passing a microfiber cloth moistened with a little water on the outside of the reel is mandatory. This is normally sufficient for regular use.
After five to seven uses we suggest following the cleaning with a slight lubrication of the visible moving parts, i.e., those that you can see in the reel after removing the coil. Use WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant, to ensure perfect movement of the parts. It provides excellent lubrication and protects against moisture after quickly drying. Its formula is compatible with all metals, plastics, rubber and wood. In particular, lubricate the central shaft at its base.
Step 3
LUBRICATING THE BAIL AND LINE SPOOL
Pay extra attention to the bail joint during your cleaning regimen. As it used almost thousands of times during the fishing season. The opening & closing of the joint must be regular & free of any extra space. First clean the joints with WD-40 Multi-use product and then lubricate them with WD-40 Specialist Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant. Apply a few drops of the product to the line spool too.
Step 4
LUBRICATING THE HANDLE
Disassemble the handle by removing the nut (or other locking system) on the opposite side of the reel and then extracting it. Use the same products indicated in the above step to lubricate the reel head, handle, shaft and rotation seat, which is usually equipped with a small ball bearing. The joint that allows the handle to be folded against the reel body should also be lubricated.
Step 5
LUBRICATING THE INTERNAL MECHANISMS
Although opening a reel requires certain expertise, some reels can still be lubricated if they have an opening. Some have a small screw cap outside the body, others have a small hole on the spool holder. Use these openings to apply a small amount of WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant that reduces the friction and wear of the mechanisms.
If you know how to disassemble & reassemble the reel, every two or three fishing seasons, you can lubricate the inside of the reel. You will notice that the internal mechanisms already have a bit of grease. Replenish it by adding the WD-40 Silicone Lubricant. Be careful to reposition the various internal components in precise order during reassembly.
Step 6
FINAL CLEANING OF THE EXTERIOR
After you have finished cleaning & lubricating the various external & internal parts, clean the entire reel of any excess lubricant, tighten all the visible screws with the appropriate screwdrivers and finally spray a layer of WD-40 Specialist Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant.
Conclusion
Continue to explore your passion for fishing by making sure that all your fishing gear is in tip top shape. Begin with fishing reel maintenance regularly and enjoy your fishing adventures.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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