Rod/reel maintenance

[ScottDB]

So I dropped $300 on a nice rod and the shimano stradic. Needless to say I'm in love and my old rod is chop liver to me now. Suggestions on what to do to keep up on it? The salesman recommended oiling the reel which is understandable but what oil should I use? I have gun oil but that's probably way too heavy. I'm heading up tomorrow to get a rod cover or some sort of protection, will a sleeve suffice or are there better options?

 

 

Thanks.

[kickerfish1]

Well you just bought the rod and reel so I would spool it up and go fishing. Spinners dont really need any extra maintenance when new but you may find you need a small break in period to really smooth out. 

 

After a year you can take it apart, clean it, and re-oil and grease the moving parts. Depending upon how often you fish and how often you use the reel you may be able to get by with cleaning it every few years. 

 

For the rod any kind of rod glove or sleeve will be fine.

[ScottDB]

 

Well you just bought the rod and reel so I would spool it up and go fishing. Spinners dont really need any extra maintenance when new but you may find you need a small break in period to really smooth out. 

 

After a year you can take it apart, clean it, and re-oil and grease the moving parts. Depending upon how often you fish and how often you use the reel you may be able to get by with cleaning it every few years. 

 

For the rod any kind of rod glove or sleeve will be fine.

Sounds easy enough thanks 

[MickD]

If used in salt water , rinse it, not submerge it, after every use.  If fresh water, just wipe it with a damp cloth to get the crud off it.  Unless the reel has been submerged, I would not take it apart.  The Stradic has a lube port, just put a little reel grease (any brand except the red stuff) into the port at the end of the year.  A drop of oil, yes gun oil is fine, sewing machine oil is fine, 3 in 1 is fine, into the moving pivots like reel grips, bail pivots and rollers, spool clicker mechanism, and that's about it.  In a couple years you might want to get some drag grease and put a little onto the drag washers.

 

The reason I recommend not taking it apart is that the new reels are so complicated that you might not get it back together properly.  If it needs taking apart, send it to a qualified service person.  

 

Regarding the rod, if used in salt water, rinse it thoroughly after every use.  Do not compromise on this.  If used in fresh, just check the guides for trash and possible ring breakage now and then (right away if you're breaking line at the rod!), and clean it with soap and water at the end of the  year, putting on a coat of auto wax if you want it to  shine.  If a cork grip, you can wash it with a toothbrush and soap/water to freshen it up.  After that, to keep it looking good, use U40 cork seal on it, one coat only.  Do not use the cork for a hook keeper.  If the rod has none, use the frame (not the ring) of the first guide for a keeper.  Or add the Fuji keeper.

[ScottDB]

 

If used in salt water , rinse it, not submerge it, after every use.  If fresh water, just wipe it with a damp cloth to get the crud off it.  Unless the reel has been submerged, I would not take it apart.  The Stradic has a lube port, just put a little reel grease (any brand except the red stuff) into the port at the end of the year.  A drop of oil, yes gun oil is fine, sewing machine oil is fine, 3 in 1 is fine, into the moving pivots like reel grips, bail pivots and rollers, spool clicker mechanism, and that's about it.  In a couple years you might want to get some drag grease and put a little onto the drag washers.

 

The reason I recommend not taking it apart is that the new reels are so complicated that you might not get it back together properly.  If it needs taking apart, send it to a qualified service person.  

 

Regarding the rod, if used in salt water, rinse it thoroughly after every use.  Do not compromise on this.  If used in fresh, just check the guides for trash and possible ring breakage now and then (right away if you're breaking line at the rod!), and clean it with soap and water at the end of the  year, putting on a coat of auto wax if you want it to  shine.  If a cork grip, you can wash it with a toothbrush and soap/water to freshen it up.  After that, to keep it looking good, use U40 cork seal on it, one coat only.  Do not use the cork for a hook keeper.  If the rod has none, use the frame (not the ring) of the first guide for a keeper.  Or add the Fuji keeper.

I will be sure to do all of these, it is definitely worth it when you spend good money on a nice setup