Baitcaster Maintenance

[GaterB]

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best type of reel lubricant to use? Oils, greases, etc...?

[LgMouthGambler]

The best thing I can tell you to do is get the Ardent reel cleaning kit. Its got everything you will need for reel lubrication and cleaning. Oh, except for acetone to flush the bearings. That you can get at any hardware store.

[BobP]

I use TJ's Yellow Rocket Fuel for oil, Superlube grease containing PTFE, and Shimano Drag Grease.  There are plenty of good alternatives including the Ardent kit mentioned by LMGambler.  Just remember not to over-lube anything and research what kind of lube should go where.

[GaterB]

Thanks!

[jhoffman]

I myself run the same grease in my reels that I run in my trailer bearings. I figure I have plenty of it, doesnt go IN my bearings and im not slopping it in there. Seems to work well, on my bearings I use quantum hot sauce.

[jhoffman]

Note: I do not run trailer bearing greese on my drags

[OnthePotomac]

Everyone has their favorites, but I, like BobP, use Yellow Rocket Fuel in the spool bearings and handle bearings and Super Lube on the gears and to pack the pinion bearing.  I also use ReelX (an anti corrosion oil) on the worm gear and drive shaft bearing.  Some like to pack their drive shaft bearing in grease rather than use oil.  I have seen on another forum where some anglers are using Yamaha Blue Marine grease in their frame bearings.

[J Francho]

You're going to get a lot of various answers here.  Without knowing the model, application, or desired performance setup, it's hard to make a general recommendation.  OE oil and grease would never make anything worse, so long it's been thoroughly cleaned.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's no magic in any lube and no need to buy a lot of special stuff to maintain a few reels of your own. Keys are keep parts clean a use a lube in its correct application.

[Capt.Bob]

In cold weather where I am any grease, will be a bad thing, March, April, Oct, and Nov. when Temps in the 30's and lower are common. there are times I used to just use Yellow rocket fuel for everything bit the gears, I would run 5w20 mobile 1, on the gears just for those months mentioned, and then go to heavier, TJ's liquid grease for warm weather, this also works for one gear lube for all season's but will be a little stiff in cold weather, stay with YRF for everything else. Hot sauce was good in cold weather but needs reapplied often!! For Drag grease, Shimano is good, but I prefer Cal's and use it in all my own reels, and my customers reels.  

[.RM.]

You're going to get a lot of various answers here.  Without knowing the model, application, or desired performance setup, it's hard to make a general recommendation.  OE oil and grease would never make anything worse, so long it's been thoroughly cleaned.

X2.....

[.RM.]

There's no magic in any lube and no need to buy a lot of special stuff to maintain a few reels of your own. Keys are keep parts clean a use a lube in its correct application.

X2......

 

[.RM.]

Like Capt.Bob stated in the upper colder northern waters, you need to watch what lubrication's you use and were you use it in the reel/s..

 

Tight Lines All!