Spinning Reels in the Rain....

[Choporoz]

This summer I (along with other family members) have had the 'fortunate' opportunity to observe a number of different spinning reels in extremely wet conditions.

I feel I've seen enough to make some personal observations/decisions.

Reels all between 2 months and 6 years old include Shimano Symetre and Sienna; Daiwa Procyon, Ballistic and Aird; Quantum Smoke; Pflueger President (2 different sizes) and President XT (2); Abu Garcia Orra SX.

 

All three Pfluegers performed flawlessly no matter how wet they got (including at least one submersion.)  The AG, as well.  Every other reel developed some degradation, all temporary; most were binding issues....some slight, but still noticeable. 

 

Nothing about this experience should reflect normal conditions, nor care.  This was an admittedly abusive few months. 

    But, I cannot say enough about the Pfluegers and I will likely stick with them from here on.  Those President XT's, especially....you'd never know they don't cost hundreds of dollars for the performance they offer.

[Tywithay]

If they're all still using factory grease, it likely has to do with the viscosity, and interaction with water, compared to another manufacturer's grease. Some seem to thicken up more than others.

[islandbass]

I've heard stories of shimanos doing this in extreme wet weather, but the problem seemed sporadic and infrequent. This was quite some time ago, but I've fished such conditions and not yet experienced it with my symetre. Thanks for sharing this information.

[fishnkamp]

The Pflueger Supreme are just that as well

[Arobb2012]

I have a pflueger trion that is 3 years old. I have dunked it about a dozen times since I got it and it still works like the day my wife gave it to me.

[TOXIC]

Nothing worse than picking up your baitcaster that has been on the deck in a rain shower and because of the water absorbed in the spool and on the line, you get a Royal Birdnest on your first cast because you were set up for distance.   

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are two different causes for binding of wet spinning reels. Neither has anything to do with factory grease or viscosity. Contact me if you need help with a specific situation. 

[Choporoz]

Thanks, Mike.  After a week in the house, all appear to be back to 'normal'.  It was just a little frustrating; especially the Procyon and Ballistic....and I wanted to sing the praises of the Pfluegers.

[tander]

Pfluegers is all I use, got 2 Supreme XT'S and the Limited Edition. Great reels !!!!!

[AC870]

15 hours ago, Arobb2012 said:

I have a pflueger trion that is 3 years old. I have dunked it about a dozen times since I got it and it still works like the day my wife gave it to me.

I been putting a Trion through its paces. I’m convinced this is an overlooked value in spinning reels. What are they $29 or $39 reels? They’re decent lil reels. When I have to replace a reel, I’ll probably buy another Trion. 

[TOXIC]

15 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

 Never had this happen.

Do you free spool your reels?  

[Hyrule Bass]

13 hours ago, AC870 said:

I been putting a Trion through its paces. I’m convinced this is an overlooked value in spinning reels. What are they $29 or $39 reels? They’re decent lil reels. When I have to replace a reel, I’ll probably buy another Trion. 

i have one of the older model trions i used for about 8 years before i replaced it this year with the newer model trion. in all that time i only cleaned it, oiled it, greased it one time. it still works, a little rough right now, but i think another cleaning and such will have it back to being just as smooth as before...great little reels

[BobP]

I’ve had Shimano spinning reels (nothing more expensive than a Symetre) sieze up regularly while river fishing in a canoe.  Often enough that I stopped buying Shimanos.  DVT, if you know the causes of this and how to avoid it, I’m sure we would all appreciate hearing details.  I’m thinking it’s the IAR bearing?

[FishTank]

After reading all the posts here, I may be the minority. 

 

I have tried two Pflueger President reels a few years ago and both did not fare well.  I returned one and gifted the other. But when I first got one, I had nothing but praise.

 

The one I returned, I picked up a Shimano Symetre, that was 7 years ago I believe.  I have had no issues and fish it pretty much exclusively on a inflatable pontoon boat.  It gets soaked all the time.  I lube and clean it once a year and that's it.  I have been using the Ardent reel butter and oil. I also fish with 2 older Shimano Stradics on my little boat.  I have been beating up both for years and they are still going.

 

I have known more people that have good luck with President reels than bad, I just wasn't one of them. 

[AC870]

I was disappointed with the Shimano Sahara. Read great reviews on it and just knew it was going to be one of the best reels I owned. 

Its partially my fault I guess. I took it with me on vacation to Gulf Shores and caught about 50 Spanish and blues off the Gulf State Park Pier. 

Dunno if it was the saltwater or the load of 2-3 lb fish, but the handle is loose and the bail isn’t as crisp as it was before the trip. 

[fluna]

My Pflueger Supreme xt spinning reel is in about 6' of water in Northern Michigan river since July 05. Had to leave to had home, will try to fish out when I return, will take apart and let dry once I have I locate it. (slow moving river and lots of rocks)

[Hulkster]

some of the older shimano spinning reels (most famously the older stradics) had a problem where the friction ring gasket would swell when it got wet (only in rain) and bind the reel. They used to call them 'Shimbindos'. The recommended fix at the time was to remove the friction ring and use the reel without it. the friction ring is what prevents the handle from moving forward hard enough to engage the bail on a hard cast. But as long as you were not making insane casts the reels were fine without them from what I heard.

 

but I believe that problem has long been corrected.

[James1932]

On 7/26/2018 at 3:35 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

There are two different causes for binding of wet spinning reels. Neither has anything to do with factory grease or viscosity. Contact me if you need help with a specific situation. 

What are the reasons please?

[Kirtley Howe]

On 7/25/2018 at 4:11 PM, Choporoz said:

This summer I (along with other family members) have had the 'fortunate' opportunity to observe a number of different spinning reels in extremely wet conditions.

I feel I've seen enough to make some personal observations/decisions.

Reels all between 2 months and 6 years old include Shimano Symetre and Sienna; Daiwa Procyon, Ballistic and Aird; Quantum Smoke; Pflueger President (2 different sizes) and President XT (2); Abu Garcia Orra SX.

 

All three Pfluegers performed flawlessly no matter how wet they got (including at least one submersion.)  The AG, as well.  Every other reel developed some degradation, all temporary; most were binding issues....some slight, but still noticeable. 

 

Nothing about this experience should reflect normal conditions, nor care.  This was an admittedly abusive few months. 

    But, I cannot say enough about the Pfluegers and I will likely stick with them from here on.  Those President XT's, especially....you'd never know they don't cost hundreds of dollars for the performance they offer.

My Pfluger President is bullet proof. Rain, snow, dust, dirt, freezing cold, blazing heat, and total immersion don't bother it. It has never bound up or gotten rough.  I just bring it home, do a basic cleaning, and it is ready to go again. The one and only problem I have had with it was the line roller wore unevenly and needed to be replaced. Most likely due to using the reel to fish the (often silty) Susquehanna River for 4 years straight. My wife gave it to me for a birthday present. She paid a whopping $49.75 for it on sale. 

[dave]

Same thing with my Symtres,  I sent the one DVT for some adjustments.  We'll see how it works out.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

19 hours ago, James1932 said:

What are the reasons please?

The main cause is swelling of wet felt drag washers. Contact me directly for how to address the issue. 

[Hulkster]

years ago certain shimano models that were really smooth (at the time Stradics and Symetres) had issues with the friction ring gasket swelling when wet and causing the reel to bind. 

 

the friction ring was what was in place to stop the handling from turning quickly during a cast (because the reels were so smooth) and causing the bail to trip and close. 

 

the cheaper shimanos at the time (Sedona on down) did not have this friction ring and thus didn't bind up. 

 

Shimano was in denial about this for a long time if I recall. this was 20 years ago now though. 

 

I had one symmtre bind up (a green model) when the friction ring broke and became fragmented. 

 

it had nothing to do with water though. 

people used to call them Shimbindos lol 

 

they lost some customers back then thats for sure. 

 

I believe all issues have long been resolved with Shimano Spinning reels nowadays

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

20 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

years ago certain shimano models that were really smooth (at the time Stradics and Symetres) had issues with the friction ring gasket swelling when wet and causing the reel to bind. 

 

the friction ring was what was in place to stop the handling from turning quickly during a cast (because the reels were so smooth) and causing the bail to trip and close. 

 

the cheaper shimanos at the time (Sedona on down) did not have this friction ring and thus didn't bind up. 

 

Shimano was in denial about this for a long time if I recall. this was 20 years ago now though. 

 

I had one symmtre bind up (a green model) when the friction ring broke and became fragmented. 

 

it had nothing to do with water though. 

people used to call them Shimbindos lol 

 

they lost some customers back then thats for sure. 

 

I believe all issues have long been resolved with Shimano Spinning reels nowadays

This is the second reason referred to in the old post. The change to a new material (blue ring) cured the problem and the current toothed harder plastic ones are even better. 

[James1932]

Thanks for the responses. I will contact Delaware valley directly to get a better understanding. Shame a $170 reel locks up because of rain.

[waymont]

Every Pflueger both President, and Supreme I had (4 total) got loose feeling and then bound up after 2 years. Wobbly rotor on one. I guess I'm on the side of really not liking them.

 

Zero issues with my Tatula LT and Stradic FK reels after years and years of use.