Reels for predator fishing are often a kind of investment for anglers fishermen. With prices well in excess of 100, 200 or 300 euros, you should opt for a maintenance reelTo keep your purchase running smoothly for a long time.
La maintenance of your reel can be done every day with a few simple gestures. It helps combat corrosion or to eliminate all the dust associated with rotation more quickly. However, maintenance can also be carried out on an annual or bi-annual basis, with more extensive dismantling of certain parts.
We will also see that it is essential to adapt your choice to your techniques. The mechanism is designed to be used to varying degrees, in salty or non-salty environments, so this must be taken into account.
Finally, we will see that where and how you store your equipment can also have a more or less positive impact on how well it works reel over time.
Small daily gestures
There aren't that many of them, and sometimes they only take a few seconds. But it's the assurance of always being able to count on your fishing reel during your fishing. You'll also be able to detect any anomalies and remedy the problem as quickly as possible, without it being at the expense of a fight or a fishing trip.
If you practice at sea, one of the first things you do at the end of the game is the rinsing your reels just as you would with your lures and hooks. It doesn't matter whether your hooks and lures have been fished or left on the boat, the salt air will do its job with or without you using them. A simple rinse with clean water will extend the life of the frame and hook mechanics in a wonderful way.
Another essential point in the right reel maintenance, is, of course, its storage. It's important to store it in a dry, well-ventilated place at the end of your fishing trip. This will allow you to quickly empty the entire built of its humidity. This avoids all the problems associated with water stagnating for days on end. And if you're a bit fussy, you can wipe it down with a dry cloth at the end of the day.
You also have everything you need to avoid doing during use. Keeping a reel in good working order means not subjecting it to inappropriate things or events. For example, you need to be careful not to close the pick-up too early during casting or pull too hard on a brake that is set at maximum.
Equipment & steps before starting to clean your reel
First of all, it's important to be well equipped. This will ensure that you have no doubts about what you're doing and that you don't need to intervene again during the season.
We will first try to obtain a screwdriver set of good quality. The important thing is to be able to unscrew easily and, above all, to avoid damaging the screw heads for future use.
To avoid getting lost in the dismantling process, we recommend that you take photos of the various stages. A camera or smartphone will be important for reassembly.
From rags and a few cotton buds will be essential for thorough cleaning and easy access to tight spots. It's essential to remember to change your cotton buds regularly to avoid leaving cotton fibres all over the gears.
Don't forget the manual if you came with one. They will always be a great help in organising dismantling and reassembly. It may happen that this exploded view of these models is also on the reel box.
If you have one, remember to put a fairly bright light above your worktop. As the rooms are small and your view is a little poor, this can be a real ordeal.
Finally, and this is one of the main elements of the operation, you will need oil and grease, you'll find different products for different models and techniques in our online catalogue. In our online catalogue, you'll find different products for different models and techniques. We invite you to visit the section reel accessories.
Which parts to maintain ?
When you're not an expert in mechanics, even so, it's easy to get hold of a few parts and give them a second life, or at least trade them in. It takes a little bit of learning and patience, but generally it's not a problem for anyone. All you need is a smartphone or a camera, and preferably an exploded view of the reel.
Many bearings are easily accessible. You'll find them in many places, including Shimano than Daiwa. Other brands will also offer them. In this case, you have two different solutions. You can exchange them for identical models or higher-range models, or you can lubricate them so that they rotate more smoothly.
However, some are encapsulated, which means they last longer but cannot be serviced. The ones most worth changing or maintaining are those in the roller bearing or on the axes of rotation of the reel for a casting. If you open the frame, you will discover other elements on which you can have an impact.
You will also have easy access to the braking system. You can ask us for spare parts, and change the brake washers or discs yourself, depending on the series. This too is a fairly simple operation, but one that can be of great service to you, especially when you're sea fishing or Exo.
Finally, another part that's easy to work on is the handle. With a simple Phillips screwdriver, you can easily access the handle and change it for an identical model or one that is more suited to your technique. In fact, there are different shapes on the market today, depending on your use: jigging, casting, back casting, strong fishing, etc.
Annual or bi-annual maintenance
This is an annual event. It consists of dismantling the most technical parts of your reels to gain access to the internal parts. You'll need a cotton bud, two small tools, a magnifying glass, or oil such as WD40.
It's the perfect time to give your car a thorough cleaning reel.
For those of you who are more comfortable with handling, you can completely dismantle the unit to gain access to the gears, rotor, or all the details of the anti-reverse or pick-up.
The first step is to remove all impurities. You can also remove any grease or oil that is a little old and blackened, mainly with products designed for this purpose.
The next step is to re-grease and reassemble the entire frame. The photos you take during disassembly or the exploded view will help you to avoid making any mistakes in this essential phase. We also recommend that you try out the reel for a few minutes in your garden, if you have one, after this operation.
Regular breakdowns of your reel (which you can avoid with good maintenance)
Like all anglers, you may find that your reel malfunctions. This happens with the biggest brands such as Shimano and Daiwa, the same applies to less prestigious brands. Let's take a look at some examples of problems that can easily be solved through maintenance.
For Spinning reels, a great classic is recovery hardens. You then have the impression that each turn of the crank makes it harder. This is often linked to the bearing you find at the entry of your line body into the spool. A simple change or even lubrication, can go a long way towards restoring your reel's original qualities.
Another well-known problem is the winding of the braid on the coil asymmetrically. You will then have more braid at the top or bottom of the spool. You can then simply adjust the travel of the spool using the washers that are usually supplied in the boxes.
In the casting series, we regularly receive calls from customers who tell us that the combat brake does not work. This usually happens after changing the braid or put a braid new. In this case, 99% of the time, it's due to poor installation of your braid on the reel. It is essential to ensure that the entire braid does not come off the reel, wet it well before installing it.
Don't forget that your reel may be under warranty. To be eligible, you must not work on parts that could be replaced free of charge. If you don't know, it's always best to refer the matter to our after-sales service, which will be best placed to advise you and enable you to get your reel back quickly. Don't hesitate to contact us by chat, email or phone !
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