There is little worse for a fisherman than arriving at your special fishing spot and realizing that your much-loved reel badly needs repair or maintenance. Although reel repair and maintenance should usually be left to the experts, you can do it yourself if you are prepared to take the proper precautions. Keep in mind that someone who comprehends the workings of a reel should preferably undertake this kind of work, since it takes a lot of caution and care!

Getting Started

Beginning the project is one of the most significant steps to any task requiring care, so you have to prepare appropriately. Reserve a workspace that is fitting for the project, and take care that you leave enough room to move. Make certain that there is room for all of the sensitive reel parts. It is worthwhile to include meticulous photos of your reel piece-by-piece so that it can be reassembled once the maintenance/repair is finished, or make use of a hand-drawn map.

Disassembling The Reel

Most reels come apart the same way, since they are built in a similar fashion (for the most part, some reels may vary slightly). This step is the most important time to photograph or draw each piece as it comes off, so that you can guarantee that you will be able to put the reel back together. Carefully remove each piece and place them in some kind of order (i.e. order removed). Be sure to take special care with very small pieces, such as screws, springs, and similar objects. Every piece has an important function, and each has a particular place in your reel.

Tools of The Trade

Repair and maintenance tools are some of the fundamental elements to the success of the project. Before starting the project, make sure that you have what you need, so that you do not have to go hunting for something in the middle of the project. Necessary tools usually include (but are not limited to) screwdrivers in various sizes (Philips and flathead), pliers, ratchets (including heads), clean and absorbent rags, reel grease and reel oil. You will also need a small brush, such as a clean toothbrush. Make sure that the reel grease and reel oil are in closed containers to prevent messy spills.

The Disassembly

Your first step is to take the reel apart slowly, taking great care with each piece, to decrease the likelihood of losing or breaking important parts. Next, you can proceed carefully with cleaning the reel case. Locate the nut that holds the reel handle in place and remove it. Turn the drag star counterclockwise and place it to the side. Carefully remove the side plate, and make sure to keep the four screws holding it on in a safe place. Separate the main gear assembly. Remove the spool from the reel case. Use a rag to remove sand, dirt, and/or old grease. Grease the whole mechanism. If the reel uses a worm gear, you have to turn the level wind (inside the left plate) to make sure this gear is greased properly. Next, you should use a small amount of reel grease to grease all teeth. Clean the spool. Oil the endpins. Finally, you can replace the spool in the end case.

Main Drive Gear Assembly

Cleaning the main drive gear assembly is one of the most critical aspects of the cleaning and maintenance routine, and failure to exercise proper caution could result in your reel not working properly later. Follow each step carefully and pay close attention to details. Carefully remove the screws attaching the main drive gear assembly. Some will be screwed into a mounting plate, but others will be able to be lifted out. Locate the main gear assembly. Use your rag to remove sand, dirt, and old grease, making sure there is no trace of the residue remaining to ensure smooth function later. Grease the gear assembly thoroughly.

Beware!

Thanks to the number of very tiny parts associated with these steps, you have to take particular care in notating the position of each screw, washer, nut, and bearing. In order for the reel to operate, all must be reassembled in the place they came from. Drawings or photographs are extremely important to the success of your task.

Cleansing Washers/Bearings

The main gear has washers within the top. After taking them apart, you can photograph or map the placement of every one. Then resume with the cleaning. Cleanse each washer with a cloth. Lubricate, being careful to manipulate the clean grease into each washer. Get rid of leftover grease with a clean rag. Finally, when the washers are totally dry, you should return them in the correct sequence.

Seized bearings can be a major problem for some reels, so you need to be sure to thoroughly grease each bearing along all sides or replace the bearing. Do not attempt to take the bearing apart, or you will wind up cleaning up BBs from your workspace!

Reassembling The Reel

You start by positioning the spool back in the reel casing. Set the right side plate and gear assembly above the endpin. Align the screw holes, watching that each side is lined up correctly. Attach each screw into the side plate. Reattach the drag star. Next, you should attach your reel’s handle.

Using your photos or map, confirm that each piece is back where it initially came from. Check your work by making sure the reel is well secured.

Review

Although the process is tedious and time consuming, you can easily perform these simple maintenance steps and save money. However, you need a steady hand, and most find that either a magnifying lens or good eyesight is very helpful.

No matter what kind of reel you are operating (conventional or bait-casting), these straightforward steps can help you steer clear of waiting for and paying a professional to keep your reel operating efficiently. Since you are probably one of the many fishermen who are finicky about who handles their reels, simply utilizing methods such as these can help put a stop to mistakes and/or repair costs. Keep your reel safe and clean, and you will nearly promise long life and many fishing memories.

There are many types of reels out on the market today one of the most popular brands is Daiwa Fishing Reel, some of their most popular models are Daiwa BG 90 and Saltiga 30T.