Flushing A Baitcaster

[cjam93]

Hey guys so this is probably a dumb question, but I have seen a lot of people talk about flushing their baitcaster before oiling and greasing it. When you do this do you take the reel all the way apart? Also if you are not taking it apart all the way how do you go about drying the internals after rinsing it? I have a Tatula that is acting up and I feel like it just needs a good cleaning, however I really dont want to take it apart in order to clean it if there is another way. Thanks!

[rippin-lips]

You can't clean something without taking it apart. When speaking of flushing,we are generally talking about spool bearings. I have a video on YouTube showing how to replace the spool bearings in a tatula. It would work for you to be able to get to them and clean them. That's if you feel comfortable trying to do it. My advice is to send it to Mike @ DVT.

[OnthePotomac]

New reel spool bearings usually have excess oil in them out of the box.  Remove the spool bearings, clean out the oil and relube with any quality bearing oil (a tiny drop).  The rest of the reel is a retrieve function and can wait until the end of the season to have it cleaned and relubed.  There is no need to "flush" a new reel.

[hatrix]

Pop off the retaining clip for the bearing on the side plate. Keep your finger on it by all means. Don't assume its out enough and not hold your finger on it. Trust me on that. There is also a bearing where the tension knob is. That is also help in the same way but I think the clip is from the inside so you have to remove the other plate to get it out. I don't remember right now but you might get lucky and its from the outside. Toss them in some lighter fluid gasoline acetone or whatever and let it soak. If you can shake it around it will help. Any kind of movement will help even if it is just swishing them around. Then stick them on something that will hold it evenly like a pencil or pen and spin them around. I hit mine with a can of air duster and it will blow them dry almost right away. Add 1 drop of some light oil and spin them to work it in and your ready to rock. Some guys i think will do a drop on each side. 

 

You can use those tiny screw drivers to get the clip off but I personally use a big safety pin and find it easier although there is really nothing hard about it.

 

Although the tatula does not have it. Reel's have a bearing on the spool shaft and you need a special tool to remove it without bending or damaging it. What works really well is to fill a empty pill bottle part way with your said cleaner and put the side of the spool with the bearing on top. Then just shake it a as much as you can and keep doing it till you think it is good enough. It is not perfect like totally removing it but works very well. Stuff will leak a bit and splash so just a heads up. If my spool has line on it I cover it with electrical tape and let it hang a bit off the edges for a good seal. Then nothing will get on your line and possibly weaken it or just do whatever to it when stuff splashes out.

[iceintheveins]

Pop off the retaining clip for the bearing on the side plate. Keep your finger on it by all means. Don't assume its out enough and not hold your finger on it. Trust me on that. There is also a bearing where the tension knob is. That is also help in the same way but I think the clip is from the inside so you have to remove the other plate to get it out. I don't remember right now but you might get lucky and its from the outside. Toss them in some lighter fluid gasoline acetone or whatever and let it soak. If you can shake it around it will help. Any kind of movement will help even if it is just swishing them around. Then stick them on something that will hold it evenly like a pencil or pen and spin them around. I hit mine with a can of air duster and it will blow them dry almost right away. Add 1 drop of some light oil and spin them to work it in and your ready to rock. Some guys i think will do a drop on each side. 

 

You can use those tiny screw drivers to get the clip off but I personally use a big safety pin and find it easier although there is really nothing hard about it.

 

Although the tatula does not have it. Reel's have a bearing on the spool shaft and you need a special tool to remove it without bending or damaging it. What works really well is to fill a empty pill bottle part way with your said cleaner and put the side of the spool with the bearing on top. Then just shake it a as much as you can and keep doing it till you think it is good enough. It is not perfect like totally removing it but works very well. Stuff will leak a bit and splash so just a heads up. If my spool has line on it I cover it with electrical tape and let it hang a bit off the edges for a good seal. Then nothing will get on your line and possibly weaken it or just do whatever to it when stuff splashes out.

 

Yep, great post!

[Sam]

cjam93, on 06 Sept 2014 - 18:34, said:

Hey guys so this is probably a dumb question, but I have seen a lot of people talk about flushing their baitcaster before oiling and greasing it. When you do this do you take the reel all the way apart? Also if you are not taking it apart all the way how do you go about drying the internals after rinsing it? I have a Tatula that is acting up and I feel like it just needs a good cleaning, however I really dont want to take it apart in order to clean it if there is another way. Thanks!

 

Cjam, please have a professional clean your reel.

 

You may be proficient with other reels but this is a new one to you and it is an expensive one so please have a professional clean it.

 

if you can't send it to DVT then consider finding a local guy who cleans reels and ask if you can watch him take it apart, clean it, and put it back together. You can ask him questions about the reel's gears, etc. and he will probably love sharing his knowledge with you.

 

I take my reels to a guy in Powhatan, Virginia and he is a blast to visit.  We talk politics, dogs, hunting, fishing, other guys we know who bring their stuff to him for repairs, coyotes, and play with his new dog, Lilly. She is a beautiful pointer and loves to sit in your lap.   

 

I have learned a lot about which reels are good and bad and also not to attempt to clean a reel myself unless it is an old one that I will not mind messing up.

 

And if you do view the reel cleaning you may be surprised at all of the dirt and grime that can get into a secure reel.  It is amazing to see what the guys can clean out of a perfectly good reel.

[cjam93]

So you guys all have my convinced to stay way from trying to do this on my own haha. Im going to just make do with my reel for the rest of this season and send it off in the winter. Thanks!

[hatrix]

It is not really hard. You don't need some kind of degree to take aparta fishing reel. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined it should not be a issue. I would say at some point everyone learn to take apart and do at the minimum some minor service on there stuff. You just don't have replacement parts at hand like a shop would. All low pro reels are built along the same concept and are only slightly different like there drag stacks or the drag star might be spring loaded.