Shimano Nexave feeling "grindy" after a week of fishing

[RealtreeByGod]

Threw a 2500-sized one of these on a 6 foot M/L for throwing mostly wacky and ned rigs. Used it over a week. Only caught a handful of largemouth and spots all under 2.5 lbs, like 5 average-sized bluegills, and an 8ish lb channel cat that I broke off while pulling out of the water. I did also accidentally dunk it in the water a few times and set the accidently set the hook in a few rocks. It was buttery smooth when I first got it out of the box, but at the end of the week, I suddenly had much more difficulty starting the rod handle turn and I feel grinding while turning it.

 

So what likely happened here? Did I break a gear tooth? Mess a bearing up? It is only a 3+1 reel. I'd rather try to crack it open and fix it myself, but I'd like to have a suspect of what's wrong with it before doing so. 

[Deleted account]

Assuming you didn't bend something while dunking it, it's probably a dirty or dried bearing, or some grit in there. These reels remind me of some old school spinners in that the tolerances aren't tight, and they don't have a zillion parts. Cleaning and lubing should help (lube heavier than usual). Reminds me of my old Ryobis.

[RealtreeByGod]

14 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Assuming you didn't bend something while dunking it, it's probably a dirty or dried bearing, or some grit in there. These reels remind me of some old school spinners in that the tolerances aren't tight, and they don't have a zillion parts. Cleaning and lubing should help (lube heavier than usual). Reminds me of my old Ryobis.

 

Is there a fishing reel-specific solvent, lube, and grease I should use, or can I just use my Hoppes 9 and lithium grease since that's what I have on hand? This is legit the first time I've ever actually had to service one of my reels. 

[islandbass]

The dunking is most likely the culprit. Even seemingly clear water can have particles that we don’t easily see. 

 

If any any of my reels get dunked, they get cleaned. 

[Deleted account]

8 hours ago, RealtreeByGod said:

 

Is there a fishing reel-specific solvent, lube, and grease I should use, or can I just use my Hoppes 9 and lithium grease since that's what I have on hand? This is legit the first time I've ever actually had to service one of my reels. 

You don't need "fishing specific" solvents and lubes (there is no such thing, they are just labeled that way). Just make sure you aren't using solvents or cleaners that may not play nice with plastic or rubber parts. Make sure you take pictures, have a schematic, and place parts in order as you go the first few times. After you do it a couple of times, you'll be able to do it like those guys field stripping M9s blindfolded on videos. We routinely got sand on our old surf reels, and had to do this almost weekly or more often. It pains this old NY surf rat to say they were made in Philly, (good steak sandwich and tomatoe pie though)