By User SharkJP

Hi guys, winter tip time again. Like I said in the first one I will do about one of these every week during the winter. Some I know will be very good while others might seem obvious, but often people overlook the little things. If people think these tips are bad or annoying, let me know and I will stop them. But I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.
This tip has to do with REEL MAINTINANCE. There is not much I can show you regarding this subject unless you are sitting next to me or I film it. I will try to film a segment later in January on taking apart a Penn International and how to clean and lube it up.

Until then, this is a great time of year when a lot of tackle shops are still open but very, very slow. If you take an hour or 2 out of your day and take the reel over to your local shop that does reel repair, I am almost sure they would let you sit next to them while they repair/maintain your reel. While this will take a little time to learn and practice. What you learn that day will save you tons and tons of money in the future. When I used to get my reels serviced every winter, it was about $30/reel x 9 or 10 reels and you have a good chunk of money spent. Once you learn to clean and maintain your reel, the money you save should be close enough to buy a new reel each year. Think about that!!

Like I said, I am a Penn man. I can show you how to take apart a Penn reel and clean and grease it. Most of these reels are the same, but for Shimano I am not your guy. So, if you would like to wait for the film in Jan to see how to take apart a Penn, feel free. Shimano guys will have to watch at the shop. BUT, let me tell you there is nothing better than seeing it first hand and being able to ask questions on the spot.

So, just take a little time out of your day and stop by your local shop. For you OC guys, if Ake is not backed up in the reel room, Tom or Jason should be able to show you the basics.

Personally, I think that Lynn at Delmarva is the best I have ever seen for this, but he only does rod repair. But I would be willing to bet that if you have a rod you need repaired, take that to him and just ask. . . hey, also do you think you could take a few min and show me the basics of reel maintinence. . . i bet he would.

I promise this is a great skill that will help you in the future and will CERTAINLY SAVE YOU LOTS OF $$

till next time. . .the Shark has spoken.