Is It Worth Cleaning And Lubing Old Reels

[KHOOKS]

I'm considering having all my old reels cleaned and lubed over the winter months when I'm hunting in lieu of fishing.  The reels are the old Bantam reels made for Shimano. The black magnum type reels from the late 80's. I have (4) of the reels that all still work well. I also have a Shimano spinning reel from that time period and Shakespear spinning reel. The spinning reels all work fine but one is really gritty feeling when retrieving the bait.

[fishballer06]

That's all up to you. If you still want to keep using them, or if you would rather just replace them with something. Or if some of them were a cheaper reel to begin with, you might have more money in getting them professionally serviced than what they ever even cost you. I can tell you that the Bantam Curado's will last forever with routine maintenance. 

[KHOOKS]

I do want to keep the reels they where my dads best stuuf he had before we got outta fishing. And now that he is not with us anymore I like to fish with his old gear. It is better than my old stuff so I have put three rod/reels back and upgraded per say to his old stuff. I have one one rod /reel set-up I got a month or so back. A Crucial Spinnerbait rod with a Lews Speed reel. The local fishing shop has a guy that does the work (clean and lube) for 13-15 dollars, that doesn't include any needed parts. I may upgrade the spinning rod /reels but I'm also trying to figure out how you guys use a baitcaster for casting the 1/4oz and less lures and weightless worms. My dad always used spinning gear for the light lures and such.

[tomustang]

course its worth it, why wouldn't you want to keep them running in tip top shape?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Bearing supported light weight spools make casting lower weights possible, but it's still more efficient to use spinning tackle imo. If you just want to clean up the reels to working and display them a discount cleaning will suffice. If want to actually use the older reels and keep them going a while, spring for a true, frame bare deep cleaning. My price for members is $19.80 ea. after a 10% discount, then there's shipping. Best of luck either way.

[Catch and Grease]

What would we be looking at for a discount cleaning for just display??

[Sam]

Get them cleaned by a professional and store them in your man cave in your house.

 

You will not regret the investment.

[bigbill]

Everyone should clean and lube your reels at least once a year if not more under heavy usage. Make them last.

Sorry to hear about your dad but that's awesome your using what he left you in his memory.

I like certain models of the Fin-Nor spinning reels you just can't find anymore. When I find a spinning reel I like I purchase one of every size. I didn't with the fin-nors. I found one used on eBay but the picture it looked like new.

My point is I opened it up to clean and lube it and it was already done plus the spool has new line too. I believe there is few and far between when it comes to who cares for there tackle. I still have my orginal tackle from the 70's that's still in New condition even though it's antique now.

[Jeff H]

I have 3 of those old Black Magnum 200FS reels too.  All 3 in pretty good shape, still work and in original boxes with the little tool/parts kits, oil and paperwork that came with them.  I don't want them anymore so if you or somebody else does let me know or I'm gonna round file them.

[greentrout]

Absolutely it's worth it. I have a few bait casters that are well over 10 years old and performing like champs because I have them cleaned

and repaired as needed once a year.

 

Unless you are very organized and detail oriented, I would recommend you find a professional service to clean and repair your reels

that is good at doing it. I use a guy who does a great job and uses an ultra sonic cleaning method. He just cleaned my Pflueger Supreme

bait caster that is 10 plus years old and it's as smooth as silk and casts as well as any of the new fangled reels they make today.

 

It's 25 dollars plus parts if needed. It's worth it.

 

Good fishing...

[Loop_Dad]

I have two old Shimano bait casters, one from 70's the other from 80's (Bantam Black Magnum as well.)  I only take them out a couple of times a year for fun. All though they still work as they were new,  the limitation compared to today's reels is obvious. For example, I cannot stand the back play my black magnum has. I keep them, but for just keeping them, not for using them.

 

In your case, you are planning on fishing with them regular basis, correct? Then I would go ahead to get them cleaned. Otherwise, I would only clean the gritty one to prevent the breakage.