Advice on Cleaning Reels

[BlueFin103]

Hey all...Just wanted to know some opinions on cleaning reels after saltwater use...do you use a mild detergent diluted with water, or just hose them down, etc...?
Thanks for all the help!

[shoefish]

I always lock down the drags and spray with fresh water and a light detergent, then rinse, then dry and store in free spool. How about everyone else?

[JMS-ILM]

it is my opinion that hot water does a much better job of dissolving salt and other gunk. so when i get home, all my rods go in the shower in the guest bathroom and the hot water runs over them for 10 minutes or so.

keep in mind i am a single guy and live by myself....i dont think this tackle care technique would go over too well with many wives out there

[flatbottom]

when washing the boat down I wash the reels and rods. Then rinse and dry. The spinners dry upside down overnight. The lever drags dry upright. Soap and water and rinse. End of the season a good cleaning and stored.

[gradywhite273]

first wash on the way in with a dishwashing detergent, while doing the underside of the fighting chair, second wash at the dock, and then chamois.

[sjogren]

Use 'em hard put 'em away wet. Oh sometimes I shake the salt water off before I put 'em below. A couple times a summer I get to tie up near a hose,a friends slip, I put 'em in every holder , hause pipe and launchers .Fill a pail and soap 'em up. I ever get to do the windows!
When the drags stick I hose 'em down w/W-D. Same for bails and handles.
I have NEVER used the auto flip on a bail, always manual. W-D has menhaden oil in it, belive it or not!
Winter project is to take apart all reels/drags and replace worn/broken parts.
They get treated just like me.
I'm no slob, no really.
Mono can get replaced 6-7-8 times or more a season.
Wire the same.

Automotive parts washers are great! If you know a garage that has one try it out, good for inside the case. Then use air to blow 'em out dry then repack.

Oh ya the only cool logo I wear are herring scales, ya that's the ticket.

[kingpin]

Thorough fresh water rinse rods and reels after every use.

End of the season, they all go in the dishwasher! No detergent!
Rebuild, replace worn parts... grease where needed & reel spray all over, unload drags and store in warm dry house.

[ReelSmith]

I always lock down the drags and spray with fresh water and a light detergent, then rinse, then dry and store in free spool. How about everyone else?

this is pretty much how I do it...usually do it when washing the boat, using the same soap that's already in the bucket.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

....buy a few weeks ago on the Fox Sports show "chevy Florida Fishing Report" they had this gal on there from some rod 'n reel repair shop in Florida and she recommened Pledge (furniture polish) and a soft cloth.....I thought she was nuts untill I tried it and guess what.... it works great at removing salt & water stains, fingerprints and more + it leaves a protective coating on everything....just spray the cloth and wipe-away all the crap.....try it

[hubris 1]

it is my opinion that hot water does a much better job of dissolving salt and other gunk. so when i get home, all my rods go in the shower in the guest bathroom and the hot water runs over them for 10 minutes or so.

keep in mind i am a single guy and live by myself....i dont think this tackle care technique would go over too well with many wives out there

thats the funniest thing i ever heard! you gotta be in the next movie. jerry seinfeld would love this. funnier than kramer cooking dinner in the shower. let me ask you this........who does their back?........LMAO!