Proper saltwater reel maintenance

[Bmorse1193]

So I just recently started saltwater fishing. I was just wondering if any experienced saltwater fishermen could outline a quick and easy way for me to clean and lube my reel. As a word of warning I did not clean the reel directly after using it which I obviously should have done. However if any one could recommend the best course of action from my current situation I would appreciate it. Also I've only used the reel twice so far since I bought it.

[Knightiac]

Lube is similar to freshwater, just research lubes and grease for that particular application and you're good to go. I have Penn Fierces and Penn Battles and I like the Penn lineup of lube/grease. As far as maintenance after every trip, you HAVE to do it or your gear will go south quickly, but fortunately it's very easy. I take all of my used rods, and just perch them standing up against a gutter on the side of my house. Then take a hose and hose them down from top to bottom, spray DOWN on your reels, never spray up as it could push salt further into your reels. Then I take a towel and dry off every single millimeter of my rods and reels in a wiping motion to eliminate any salt. 

I only open mine up to lube/grease every five or so trips if they've been used heavily. 

[Bmorse1193]

So ive also heard from many people that submerging the reel in luke warm tap water over night is another way to get the deep salt that has settled into the reel out. Is this ok to do or have I been misinformed? 

 

[Afishionado]

Definitely don't soak your reel overnight.. 

 

If you drop the reel in salt and it gets submerged, a breakdown is in order.. take it apart all the way down to the main gear and just do your standard lube and oil (grease on the gears, oil on the bearings.. never grease a bearing in a reel) 

 

I break my reels down for regular lubing about 4 times a year.. I like to take brake parts cleaner and blow out all the old grease in the reel, it strips everything off and leaves you with a nice clean surface to apply grease and oil with no chance of any old crap coming out and mixing in.. 

 

When you rinse your reels after a trip on the salt, use a steady light mist.. I see a lot of people blasting their reels with hoses which drives grit and salt deeper into the reel.. steady light mist until its dripping off, then wipe everything down dry.. After this I ususally spray some T9 or other corrosion inhibitor on a rag and wipe down the reel and the rod including all the guides, reel seat, ect.. That's basically it

[Ray K]

3 hours ago, Knightiac said:

Lube is similar to freshwater, just research lubes and grease for that particular application and you're good to go. I have Penn Fierces and Penn Battles and I like the Penn lineup of lube/grease. As far as maintenance after every trip, you HAVE to do it or your gear will go south quickly, but fortunately it's very easy. I take all of my used rods, and just perch them standing up against a gutter on the side of my house. Then take a hose and hose them down from top to bottom, spray DOWN on your reels, never spray up as it could push salt further into your reels. Then I take a towel and dry off every single millimeter of my rods and reels in a wiping motion to eliminate any salt. 

I only open mine up to lube/grease every five or so trips if they've been used heavily. 

+1 Same procedure I use.  Spray with hose, dry, lube every 5 or 6 trips or once a year, whichever comes first.

[Chris at Tech]

Rinse the rod and reel down with fresh water after each day of fishing in the salt.  Have the reel professionally cleaned once a year.