When Should I Strip My Reel?

[Chris Wilson]

Hey guys. I have a shimano chronarch 201e7 and an Abu Garcia revo sx. I got the revo in April and have fished it on and off. The chronarch I've had almost a year and fish a lot. It's never been dropped in the water. I keep it very clean, blow water off it whenever it gets soaked and spray it down an clean it every few outings. I've taken a few bait casters down in my time but it was years and years later. Never had a problem. But the shimano and revo were somewhat expensive

To me so I'd like to keep them in tip top shape. I oil the worm drive on the shimano and wherever else they recommend lightly as wel as the abu. I'd rather use my reels then take them apart but if need be I will. Each reel is unique so this is why I ask about these two reels. I have quantum hot sauce to use if need be.

[roadwarrior]

If you can service them yourself, I would suggest OFTON!

Otherwise, once a year is probably just fine.

[Chris Wilson]

Yeah I can service them myself I just hate doing it because I'm such a perfectionist and it takes forever.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

The Shimano is very easy to take down and clean, so just do it. Oh, throw the Hot Sauce in the rubbish barrel.

[LgMouthGambler]

I do mine once a year, every January. All 8 of them.

[OnthePotomac]

I am also a January reel cleaner and change lines, except braid. I do one, or two a day depending on what else I have to do, but being retired affords me that flexibility. While cleaning each reel I also touch up components I have polished, but never with any sand paper, only metal polish.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

This question is like when to change the oil in a car, there is a basic recommendation but you have to adjust according to use. An annual deep cleaning should suffice with periodic reoiling of the spool bearings and level wind. If you experience any symptoms or noticeable decrease in performance address them immediately.