Saltwater Safe?

[WSOzzie]

Will be relocating to SW Florida and am looking forward to inshore fishing. I’m curious how saltwater safe my gear is. I have primarily Dobyns rods (Champ, Champ EX) and Shimano reels (Ci+4, FK and Curado DC). Thanks, as always, for the knowledge. 

[looking45]

I occasionally fish salt water and thoroughly rinse off all the gear with warm water as soon as possible. I haven't had any problems

[Guitarfish]

If you prep your reels with a thin coating of grease on the inside and on the screws you will not have problems.

 

Just get comfortable taking them apart to look.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Saltwater is hard on casting reels because the line spools on the inside of the frame as opposed to spinning gear.  Ive heard of people using both Curado and SLX DC for inshore and there weren't any apparent short term issues.  If you want a reel to fish like its new for a long time I don't recommend using it in saltwater.  If you're comfortable with disassembling your reel, give it a good cleaning after every other outing.  Replace bearing with bushings where you can and use a heavy grease to protect critical components.  Salt is corrosive but sand can cause as much or more damage.  You need to make sure to get any excess oil off the surface of any components so it doesn't attract sand.  

Saltwater rods usually have components that are less vulnerable to corrosion and they may have more epoxy where the guides meet the blank for more protection.  If youre going to rinse your reel afterwards DO NOT use warm water.  Warm water can break down salt that crystalized which just disperses it throughout the reel.  You want to rinse the reel as gently as possible with an indirect light mist of cool water.  Rinsing it with water under higher pressures will force salt sand and debris deeper into the reel.  I prefer wiping the reel down a clean cloth soaked in cool water.  Take the spool out and let it completely air dry.  I rinse the rods the same way let them air dry and wipe the reel seat, eyes and blank down respectively. At the end of the season tear the reels down purge the grease and oil then replace it.  If your not comfortable with disassembly, take it to a certified retailer that you trust and have them do the deep clean.  

[WSOzzie]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, the older I get, the less fine motor skills.  I may be having a fire sale, then reload with a couple salt worthy spinning rods/reels. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks again.

[roadwarrior]

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-STELLA_FJ.html

 

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

3 hours ago, WSOzzie said:

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, the older I get, the less fine motor skills.  I may be having a fire sale, then reload with a couple salt worthy spinning rods/reels. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks again.

Im sorry I completely forgot to mention anything about the spinning reels.  As long as you aren't surf or wade fishing the FK is an outstanding reel for salt or fresh water.  They're generally pretty reliable even when they aren't maintained as well as they should be.  You can use them wading or in the surf, but you have to be careful about taking waves, sandy foam and dunking them.  A buddy of mine is an inshore guide, when it comes to throwing plastics and lighter plugs he swears by them.  They're smooth and light so children and female clients who aren't anglers don't have issues using them for a few hours at a time.  The frames are sturdy enough to with stand being dropped or smacked against a rail.  If a client does happen to drop one in the water and he cant get it back its not like losing a Stella or Twin Power.  The CI4s have gotten much better as far as durability goes since the earlier models.  The last model (FB) that the Vanford is replacing isn't as rugged as the aluminum framed FK, but has proven itself to be a reliable platform that's noticeably lighter.  The only reoccurring issue with both reels is the roller bearings tend to get raspy in salt and freshwater.  You can live with the noise, disassemble and oil the roller every few outings or what I recommend finding the size bearing you need and buying a bunch of them, they aren't expensive and its really easy to replace.  I love to wade and surf fish, IMO its the most fun way to fish.  I've been using a Daiwa Fuego going on 3 years for light surf and its been great.  I just to be careful not to let it take to much spray.  You can get Fuegos on eBay for $80 so if you get a couple years out of it, its worth it.  There isn't a ton of difference between inshore and freshwater rods, I haven't and don't know of anyone who has used Dobyns in salt water so I cant elaborate. I think too many people turn Angling into a competition where size and numbers is the bottom line, at that point it becomes a job.  Other then safety the #1 rule is to have fun.  Good Luck...Tight Lines!

 

[MickD]

There is no need to get rid of your rods.  There is essentially no difference between a salt water rod and a fresh water rod exc possibly the use of titanium guides on some more expensive salt rods.  Even if you buy new "salt water rods," you have to treat them the same way, rinse and dry as mentioned above after EVERY day of fishing them.  Even if your rods don't have the best corrosion resistant guides, if you treat them right it will take years for them to be damaged by salt.  

 

Reels are a different story, but still, if you treat whatever you have right they will last for years.  The exception is magnesium.  It will be attacked by salt very quickly unless it's designed for salt.  I have used a Shimano Stradic FI for many years for a week of salt fishing and rinse it and dry it after every day, then when I get home I take the spool off and give it a good cleaning and lube, but I don't take it all down to replace all grease and oil, and it is doing fine.  If you immerse your reels then I'd send them immediately to a qualified service person.

 

But I see no need to simply sell everything and start over, unless you want to do it anyway.  

 

Once you use a lure in salt, don't put it back into the box.  Have a separate box for the ones you use.  Then you can wash and dry them at the end of the day.  Most hooks will deteriorate very quickly after use in salt unless you clean them.  Same for tools, like clippers, pliers, etc.

[zell_pop1]

When I visited my friend in sw Florida and did some inshore fishing I used a Citica E and cleaned it after every use and had no problems, so I think the newer Shimanos should be fine.

[WRB]

Composite reels are OK, anodized aluminum reels are OK anything magnesium isn't.

Most of today's rods use Titainum or Stainless Steel guide frames with ceramic inserts and they are OK. Anodized aluminum reel seats are OK. 

if you rinse lightly with fresh water and over spray with WD-40 then wipe off, your rods and reels should be OK with a dose of common sense.

Tom

[Hammer 4]

Around 2003 to 2009 I fished both the salt and fresh. Fished the salt at least 3 or 4 times a week. After fishing I rinsed my rod and reels off with a hose, but not a hard blast of water. 

 

The reels I used were baitacaster's Shimano 301E Curado, and 150 Chronarch, Spinning reels were Sharha, Sedona and a Shimano Stradic..

 

I did however have a full clean and lube done to them once a month, they worked great.

[wet_dream]

I fish almost exclusively in saltwater now and my Shimano reels have held up fine. I primarily use Stradics (FKs and FLs) with one Sustain (FI) in the rotation and I just make sure to rinse them off after every trip and send to Shimano for service after the season. The only issues I’ve had with the Stradics is that d**n roller bearing getting noisy! I also have a couple Shimano Tranx and a Bantam MGL which I use in saltwater once in a while. Saltwater seems to be a little tougher on the freshwater baitcasting reels from my experience.

[king fisher]

Bait Monkey says buy new Saltwater rated reels.  I recommend Diawa BG for spinning, and Diawa Coastal for BC. but Shimano has saltwater rated reels that are as dependable, but may be a bit more expensive. I may be wrong, but I think the Curado reels are salt water rated.  Depending on the size of fish you will catch, you may want to switch to reels with more line capacity.  You will be amazed at how fast a fish in open saltwater will spool a reel.  If you are not friends with the Bait Monkey than use what you got, take care of them, and replace when they wear out.

      If you like the rods you have than use them.  Rinse well after each use, and they will be fine.  When the guides do rust out replace them with stainless steel, or other saltwater approved guides.

[Catt]

Just out of curiosity who knows the difference between freshwater reels & inshore reels?

[WSOzzie]

Thanks, as always. Love both my Shimano stradics, and even though the Bait Monkey is fickle beast, it will be hard to part with them. Lots to think about. ??

[MickD]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Just out of curiosity who knows the difference between freshwater reels & inshore reels?

"in shore implies saltwater near shore"  As opposed to deep water or off shore or that kind of thing.  In shore species are typically bones, trout, redfish, groupers, even sharks and a few more.  But in the context of what the duty cycle on the equipment it, it is salt.

 

If a reel is designated "in-shore" then it will not be magnesium, and it will be most likely better designed for exposure to salt, often sealed gears and drag.

[Catt]

@Delaware Valley Tackle Your thoughts ?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Aluminum frame and quality bearings are the two things I’d be looking for. I’m not sure how the DC would work in a salt atmosphere. I’d pass on that. 

[Catt]

Rinsing reels with fresh water after an outing is important, but it’s also important to do it the right way. Use the mist setting on your garden-hose nozzle to gently dissolve the salt on the reel’s outside, then wipe the reel with a rag or towel.

 

Don’t spray WD-40 on your reels,  it's the worst thing you can do because it is a solvent, not a lubricant. It actually attacks the grease and oil.

 

The most popular reel for Specks-n-Reds down here is Shimano's Curado K.

 

[soflabasser]

Penn and Shimano makes many reels that are excellent for saltwater fishing. 

[Coolangler101263]

Salt water rods are good but when you catch the fish they might have like spines I have been stabbed by two of then before

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On ‎10‎/‎20‎/‎2020 at 7:19 AM, Catt said:

’t spray WD-40 on your reels,  it's the worst thing you can do because it is a solvent, not a lubricant. It actually attacks the grease and oil.

I wont use it on my reels or guns either.  Same thing with that stuff that reel magic like stuff. 

On ‎10‎/‎19‎/‎2020 at 1:24 PM, WSOzzie said:

Thanks, as always. Love both my Shimano stradics, and even though the Bait Monkey is fickle beast, it will be hard to part with them. Lots to think about. ??

I know how you feel.  Ive got a bunch of reels I don't use anymore that I wont part with.

[Mr.C in Texas]

I’m sorry but some of the advice on this post is way off.  I fish inshore almost every weekend and have a lot of first hand experience using my bass equipment in the salt.  Do not rinse your reel off with water!  It can push the salt into places it shouldn’t be.  Use products like reel wash and follow the directions.  I’m using metaniums (yes magnesium), stradics and SLX with no issues.  I oil the bearings once a month and have full cleaning once a year.  I’m using Shimanic Exprides and Dobyns Champion with zero issues.  After each trip I take the reel off and spray down the rod with water.  Your gear will be fine as long as you take extra care. Your rod preference may change, most of us use med or med light mod/mod fast 6”6 ish even with bull reds.  Florida guys are more into the 7”6 ish spinning med medium heavy fast setups.  Hope this helps.

[Catt]

4 hours ago, Mr.C in Texas said:

Do not rinse your reel off with water!  It can push the salt into places it shouldn’t be.

 

You are aware the water faucet is adjustable?

 

Magnesium is fine as long as the protective coatings are in tack.

[Hudson McLean]

I would definitely test yourself on some saltwater fish, its a whole different ball game. Fall in the Gulf is a one of the best times of year to fish. Get yourself a penn senator 6/0 or 9/0 with some 80 pound mono and you've got yourself a fine yet budget friendly reel that can handle some BIG fish.