What Is Wrong With My Reel?

[Topwater98]

I have an old spinning reel that doesn't cast or reel very smoothly. It also tangles every 10-50 casts. Does anyone know why it tangles so much? I have really cheap line on it. I don't know if that would make a big difference. Also it squeaks when I reel and doesn't cast very smoothly.I assume it needs to be oiled. How do you do that? Thanks for any help.

[motodmast]

its probably a cheep reel and is at the end of its life span. cheep line really does suck, especially on spinning gear.  id say ask for a new reel for christmas. but for now, tak off all your line on it, remove the spool, clean all inside there, drop some light oil down the shaft, put the spool back on. next remove the handle, put some light oil on the bearing inside there. then go pick up a $8 spool of berkely 8lb Big game line from walmart. it is cheep and works ok. if you have more money, you can get a higher quality fluorocarbon, which is what i REALLY recommend, its up to you. 

[dodgeguy]

I would not use big game on a spinning reel.get trilene xl or suffix elite or Cajun red cast.make sure you spool it on so it's not coiling up going on.that usually means label up on the spool.do not spool to much on.leave an 1/8 inch of spool lip showing.also make sure you flip your bailshut manually and get all the slack out before you do.if you don't it will mess up.

[Topwater98]

Here are some pictures of the reel. I got it used at a garage sale for 4 dollars. It looked like it had been used a lot and I have used it for 2-3 years since I got it.

 

[Fishes in trees]

So, you got it a few years ago, it worked then and now it don't? Son, that reel is broke.  I wouldn't waste any more time on it.  Put it into retirement.  Go to Walmart and get something similar for $10 to $20 and use it until it wears out.

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[Delaware Valley Tackle]

From the looks of the pic the spool is not over loaded so the tangles are coming from line twist. This will happen to any spinning reel eventually but to minimize it strip off the line and re-spool correctly with some soft mono. Close the bail by hand as suggested; do not reel when drag is going out; use swivels with spinning and tumbling baits like flukes; remove the inevitable line twist before it becomes a problem by feeding out two casts worth of line, put on a swivel and tie off to a solid brace and stretch the line as much as you can without breaking it.

 

As for maintaining the reel, since you're a youngster I'd do it for free but the shipping alone would be more than the reel so do the following: remove the handle and drop some gear oil into the opening on each side of the frame. Pop off the spool and put a drop of light oil on the shaft where it moves in and out and crank a few turns, put a drop of oil on each hinge to the bail. Save up and grab a Pflueger Trion at Walmart etc. Email me if you need any help.

[ClackerBuzz]

even cheap line casts fine. casting has nothing to do with oil. the spool is a fixed/stationary object. a grind/un-smooth retrieve means oil and maintenance.  that many tangles on a spinning reel makes me think you have a nick on the spool or on one of the guides of ur rod. 

 

in addition to closing the bail by hand....close it early.  10ft before ur lure hits the water. is there is a chance ur waiting to long and have 20" of slack line hanging between ur reel and 1st guide on the rod?

always make sure the line in that area is taunt before reeling up line. and don't have tons of slack line laying all over the water. all these scenarios together will cause major problems. you can get away cheating on one or two.

[new2BC4bass]

I would not use big game on a spinning reel.get trilene xl or suffix elite or Cajun red cast.make sure you spool it on so it's not coiling up going on.that usually means label up on the spool.do not spool to much on.leave an 1/8 inch of spool lip showing.also make sure you flip your bailshut manually and get all the slack out before you do.if you don't it will mess up.

Dodgeguy beat me to it.  Big Game may be strong and abrasive resistant, but its memory isn't something I am willing to put up with on a spinning reel.

 

I would have to agree this reel isn't worth putting any money into.  If it can be made to work satisfactorily by cleaning, relubing and spooling new line (all do-it-yourself projects on a spinning reel even for a guy like me), then go for it (I work cheap).  I wouldn't send or take it to a shop for repair, tho.

[Topwater98]

Where should I get reel oil? How much does it cost?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You don't need anything special for this. Look around the house and garage for oils and let me know what you have and I'll tell you which to use where.