Breaking them down for next season

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 3:51 pm

Well, that time is officially here. Time to service reels and rods and rack them for next spring. I wash all of my rods in the shower with hot water and clean the guides. After they dry, I take a cotton ball and check each tip top and guide for cracks. Ther cotton will pull if there is a crack....If this is the case, the guide must be replaced. As for my reels, I only use Stradics and Tica Cetus Spinning reels. I submerge them in hot water for about 20 minutes each. That will lossen the gunk inside. Next I open the sideplate and spray in WD40 to totally degrease them. I may repeat this process several times. I wait until they dry and then lube them to factory specs. Be careful not to put too much oil or grease on them. I do the same thing with my Scorpions and Calcuttas as well.

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 4:27 pm

Craig, I thought I was addicted to bass fishing... but "showering with your rods"? Man, that's real addiction!!!

This winter I will have my hands full with tackle organization. I opened my tackle compartment in my boat the other day and it looked like a bomb had gone off in there. Too much scrambling around between boats at the end of the year.

I do have a general question for anyone out there... I had heard once that when storing your reels over the winter, you should NOT leave the drags tightened... Anyone ever heard of that? If so, what is the reason for doing this?

Thanks and Happy Holidays to everyone!

BC

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 5:19 pm

Yes this is true the tension on the washers that control the drag would be excessive. I always losen my drag on my reels after each trip fishing and tighten them down again the night before. A fellow fisherman that his sidline buisness is reel repair told me that this would help. He has alot of reels that he works on and I trust him.

I like the idea with the cotton ball i'll have to give that a try. Good way to show the wife I need some new equipment!!!! lol
Down south here our reels don't get put up for the winter though.
:p

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 7:38 pm

From what I know the reason the drag on your reels should be loosened is because if left tight they will weaken and retain that memory.

I too will take time and clean and lube my spinning reels, however with the advancements in baitcast reels in the last few years I do not disassemble them myself anymore, too many small parts and very small tolerances. I will be sending all my reels out to be serviced by a professional.

brianc · Post by **brianc** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:40 pm

With regards to leaving the drag tightened, from what I understand the washers can become misshapen when left under pressure for significant periods of time.

What you end up with is a less-than perfect part, and with "a chain only being as strong as its weakst link", you end with a less-than perfect reel!

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:48 pm

Bren, I loosen them up for the Winter. I was told that the washers will mishappen and slip after time if they are not loosened.

JoeM · Post by **JoeM** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 5:53 pm

Guys- I have always been told to loosen the drag certainly between seasons at least.

People who fish with me know that I don't do that myself. Not that I have any reason to doubt the advice. It is basically that with spinning, I backreel almost every decent bass that I hook. Even that doesn't prevent good fish from taking drag. (I always look to the sky and mutter "thank you" when that happens)

As to baitcasting, I come from the generation that used a wrench to tighten the drag down from day one; never to be loosened again. (Yes, I realized this would bite me some day.)

That being said, if I go where big bass are
the rule, I surrender to babying my drags.
Also, Smallmouth have made me reconsider my bad habits. When they make that high speed
"U-turn", you just can't give them enough line before it SNAPS!

While I'm at it, let me wish you all a Happy Holiday Season. And loosen up those drags, will you? Joe

johnnie crain outdoors · Sun Dec 22, 2002 7:59 am

Hi guys, great info on the reel drags, I never loosen mine and haven't had any real problems unless you count, throwing them away at the end of the season and getting new ones. I was a maintenance mechanic for 32 years, do you think I could disassemble a reel, no way, got several boxes of parts where I have tried, even when the reel repair did work I always have extra pieces, wonder where these go?? Good job guys, Johnnie Crain Iowa Pro Staff.

britchie · Post by **britchie** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 1:07 am

Being our club, Reel Maintenance Man, I have had the opportunity to tear down several reels.
Through trail and error I have learnt alot.

Everyone is correct about why you should loosen your drags.
The Drag Spring Washers are exactly as they sound.
They act as a spring and put tension on your drag. The longer the pressure the more likely it will weaken the washer.
These washers should be replaced every 3 or 4 years depending on the use.
Locking down your drag is also hard on them.
After leaving your reel locked down for several years, your drag will not work correctly if you ever decide you need it again.

As far as maintenance, you need to take the sideplates off your baitcasters every year and apply some lubricant.
I've found that the new Hot Sauce by Quantum is some of the best lube on the market.
I submitted an article on Reel Maintenance to this site, but its not been updated as of yet.
Maybe Brendan could look into my updates for me.
Everyone have a Merry Xmas.