Anyone use excel to track their reels?

[fishwizzard]

My local waters are frozen up, so it is time to think about cleaning, organizing, and maintaining my gear.  I have enough reels now that I cannot easily remember the details of each, like line, spools, bearing brand and type, upgraded parts, clean and service intervals, that sort of thing.  So I wanted to whip up a spreadsheet that I can track all this stuff on.  I started fussing around building one this morning, but wondered if anyone else did something similar and was willing to share their template.  

[TnRiver46]

Just glad I don't have ice!!!! The only way I can take reels apart and successfully put them back together is individual trial and error, the spreadsheet would be way trickier than the reel for a technologically challenged individual like myself. Also, not sure if this exists where you are, but people will go through a fishing reel and clean it and replace broken parts for like $17. No clue how or why they do it this cheap but take advantage if you find someone. The people that fix reels are typically old guys with awesome fishing stories that make great friends too!

[DogBone_384]

Yes. I have a spreadsheet with my rods, reels, and trip logs.  I note when each reel is cleaned, tuned, and upgraded.  

 

Drop me a PM and I’ll send you my template.

[Bankbeater]

No, I just do a full cleaning every year between Christmas and New Year's Day.  I check them about every 3 months and oil, and grease, as needed.

 

The line is easy.  All my baitcast reels get 15 pound line, the spinning reels get 10 pound line, and the ML and UL rigs get 6 pound line.

[fishwizzard]

20 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

Yes. I have a spreadsheet with my rods, reels, and trip logs.  I note when each reel is cleaned, tuned, and upgraded.  

 

Drop me a PM and I’ll send you my template.

Will do, thanks!

 

11 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

 

The line is easy.  All my baitcast reels get 15 pound line, the spinning reels get 10 pound line, and the ML and UL rigs get 6 pound line.

I am trying to work towards this, but am still hunting for my "universal finesse line", so I have a bunch of different lines on different spools and have lost track of what is on some of them.  

[Junger]

I do, now that I have several rods and I'm getting too old to remember every single detail about them.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wlx_h6tM5RDdzRn0516N_CFcBmY5Hz4OXkVQ30fE_1A/edit?usp=sharing

 

I'm always looking to improve, so comments/suggestions are welcome.

 

 

[Scrapiron]

I use Excel to track equipment-when purchased, brand, type, specs, etc.  Good suggestions in this thread- I need to add upgraded parts, what backing, when spooled, and more. Thanks!

[Boomstick]

I haven't felt the need to use Excel to track my reels or tackle, but I do use Excel to add items I know I will be needing to purchase soon, like a replacement lure or new line or whatever. I have a spreadsheet dedicated to fishing and camping gear, with tabs for camping, bass, catfish and trout gear and can access it from my phone as well so if I'm fishing and lose a lure, it goes right on there.

[Jig Man]

I track my fishing with excel.  I keep about 20 items on every trip.  I don't use it on equipment as I reoil reels when the distance changes on casts and reline when needed.  I carry close to 30 reels and would go nuts trying to track them on the computer.

[fishwizzard]

Thanks to those who posted files, I like the looks of both of them and will stick mine up here once I finish it.  I get an odd kick out of excel (I suppose because my job doesn't make me use it all the time) but tend to go way too fussy.

[OnthePotomac]

I have fourteen casting rigs and four spinning rigs on two tables: One table has columns which shows the model rod, rod length rod weight, line parameters, model reel mounted, line size/type, and the date it was spooled.  The other has the same data with an additional column where I can record the lure on the rod.  The second table is in a plastic sheet insert so I can record the lure with a white board pen and change it easily.  I also have a maintenance log chart for the reels with a date purchased column and date serviced column with notes as required, i.e. ABEC 7 bearings installed, Carbontec installed, pinion polished, etc.  Getting ready to start the January cleaning.  One in the morning and one in the afternoon each day.  The joy of retirement.

[jbrew73]

I put a spreadsheet together on my phone and it helps me keep up with keeping up with cleaning, line type and which rod it's on.

[Scrapiron]

@fishwizzard-  if you get the chance, would like to see what you come up with. I'm reconfiguring mine and would like to see another example. thanks!

[fishwizzard]

Fishing Reel Line Tracking Chart.xlsx

 

Here is what I have so far, as you can see I have been slack about filling it out.  I am trying to get down to using as few different lines as possible so I can buy bulk spools, but sitting down to type this all out has show me that I am not 100% clear on what line is on what spool right now. 

 

I also am trying to find a way to label my spools, I have a a pair of stock Alphas sv spools and a pair of 1016 sv spools and I know I am going to mix them up at some point.  

[Scrapiron]

Thanks!

[Junger]

So, this winter I didn't get out to fish much, and while I was going through my fishing stuff, I decided to take a full inventory of what I had and updated my spreadsheet to include most of my tackle. It also gave me a good perspective on what I've purchased since April 2017 and has helped beat back the bait monkey...a little.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cVXbiZrhqnf2Q2RIvJdyjd-dnj7pjkCSJ0R5rzpLyII/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

[Tywithay]

I considered doing it, but so far I haven't had any issues remembering which one is which. It probably wouldn't hurt as I get older and try to keep track of 50 some odd combos, but I've always had a good memory.

[LionHeart]

Wow! A spreadsheet for tracking your gear is going a bit overboard.... I like it.  Hopefully the ice melts soon for you.

[J Francho]

I track them in my head. I really have no clue what I actually have. One spring, I opened the boat and found a Zillion I forgot about in the under seat storage. 

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Junger said:

So, this winter I didn't get out to fish much, and while I was going through my fishing stuff, I decided to take a full inventory of what I had and updated my spreadsheet to include most of my tackle. It also gave me a good perspective on what I've purchased since April 2017 and has helped beat back the bait monkey...a little.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cVXbiZrhqnf2Q2RIvJdyjd-dnj7pjkCSJ0R5rzpLyII/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

Dude, that is nuts.  I wish I was that organized.  I just track my reels, mainly to remember what line is on what and what upgrades/aftermarket stuff each one has.  

[Junger]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I track them in my head. I really have no clue what I actually have. One spring, I opened the boat and found a Zillion I forgot about in the under seat storage. 

I can barely remember what I had for dinner last night...so I have to use spreadsheet to track it all...

[fishwizzard]

Man, I would never track what I eat, some information needs to stay unavailable.  

[Junger]

4 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Dude, that is nuts.  I wish I was that organized.  I just track my reels, mainly to remember what line is on what and what upgrades/aftermarket stuff each one has.  

I just got into fishing last April, so this was my first winter not fishing...and I went a little stir crazy. I would literally stare at my tackle every night thinking what I was going to fish as soon as the weather cooperated. I have an addictive personality...before fishing, it was hardcore video games (until I had kids). So I just did it a little at a time, and actually learned more about my fishing habits as I did it...I clearly like Chatterbaits and Keitechs over everything else, and see a huge gap for crankbaits and jigs, which are probably a huge missed opportunity to catch fish. So for 2018 I'm going to commit more to jig fishing by converting my Powell Max3D spinning rod for jigs only.

[fishwizzard]

12 minutes ago, Junger said:

I just got into fishing last April, so this was my first winter not fishing...and I went a little stir crazy. I would literally stare at my tackle every night thinking what I was going to fish as soon as the weather cooperated. I have an addictive personality...before fishing, it was hardcore video games (until I had kids). So I just did it a little at a time, and actually learned more about my fishing habits as I did it...I clearly like Chatterbaits and Keitechs over everything else, and see a huge gap for crankbaits and jigs, which are probably a huge missed opportunity to catch fish. So for 2018 I'm going to commit more to jig fishing by converting my Powell Max3D spinning rod for jigs only.

I have only been at it for like 4-5 years now and "seriously" after bass for the last 2-3 years, so I know exactly what you mean about addictive.  

 

If you are in Potomac then you have easy access to one of my favorite spots, the C&O canal between Swains and Seneca Creek.  When the water is right it's like a shooting gallery for bass, so much cover to cast too that it takes me 3-4 hours to fish a mile of bank.  

[bigfruits]

i have extra spools for my reels and i have 2 or 3 of the same model for some.

 

excel helps me keep track of what line is on what spool, what spool is on what reel and what reel is on what rod.