Hi Some general guidelines Before we get into specifics you should look to take general care of your reel while fishing. This means protecting the reel from large amounts of water (eg, unnecessarily dunking it), avoiding contact with sand wherever possible, and making sure you always wash your reel gently using freshwater after you have finished fishing. Following these simple guidelines will ensure you get longer life from your reel. Every 3 or 4 outings (or whenever you see fit) you should examine your reel more carefully and provide some more thorough maintenance.
What materials will you need? We recommend using a soft cloth (that has not been used with any abrasive cleaners before), and some reel lubricant. This can be purchase from your local tackle store, or online store. It is important NOT to use lubricants that penetrate like WD40. Find a clean, flat surface on which to clean your reel. You may also use a small toothbrush or other small brush to help remove sand and grit during the cleaning process. A philips head screwdriver (with a relatively small sized head) will be required if you wish to undo any screws. External lubrication of your reel There are a number of points on your fishing reel that move or pivot and should be checked and lubricated occasionally. These points are : . the screws that hold the bail arm assembly in place (and allow it to pivot) . the fishing reel handle, . where the handle enters the reel body . anti-reverse switch (if present) Apply a small amount of lubricant externally to each of these points that move, ensuring they are also wiped clean of dirt or sand as you go. Each of these points shuld move freely without grinding or 'catching'. If the joints have deteriorated you may wish to get the reel serviced (as the bail arm assembly can be particularly difficult to put back together!) Internal lubrication of your reel It is best to remove the handle assembly (generally by undoing the screw on the opposite side of the reel body, and sliding the handle and handle shaft outwards) and lubricate the internal bushes or bearings. Lubricate these bearings liberally, and clean out any grit or sand that you can see. Next, remove the reel's spool to clean and lubricate the spool, shaft. For front drag reels you will need to unscrew the drag knob until you can remove it, and the spool. For rear drag reels, the spool with have nother mechanism to remove it (usually a push button). Check the spool shaft and spool itself for sand and grit, wipe clean with a cloth then lubricate the shaft and add a little lubricant to the drag washers inside the spool to ensure they do not build rust. By following this guidelines you can help to ensure your fishing reel lasts well and provides you many hours or great service. Good luck!
