One of my rod/reel rigs got an unscheduled bath yesterday. . . .

[Big Hands]

I was casting a Carolina rig yesterday with a four foot leader, and it snagged one of my rods with a Daiwa Tatula 103 SV TW on the backcast. It got flung into the lake about 25 feet in front of the boat. I am still amazed that the hook instinctively knew which one was the most expensive rig I own and found it in that instant, but it did so with incredible precision.

 

As I sat there feeling like all three stooges at once, I put the trolling motor on warp speed and headed in that direction, expecting to see it slowly descend away from me, imagine my surprise when it just floated there until I got to it. I even went past it momentarily and finally managed to get my hands on it and retrieved it from the drink. I am thinking that the full cork butt section of the rod is surely what saved it from spending some time on the bottom of the lake. 

 

The reel was submerged for less that a minute. So, I am wondering what I should do to the reel to make sure there will not be any lasting consequences going forward? 

[JustJames]

Lucky you can recover the setup. Submerged less than a minute far from shore, there shouldn’t be any debris get into the reel. If you are not comfortable open up the reel, just let it air dry for a couple days, add a drop of oil to spool bearings and see is any grinding when spin handle or jerky when pulling line out, send it to professional if any unusual you feel. 
If you can maintenance the reel yourself (which is not very hard at all for baitcaster), then open up the reel remove old grease from main gear, if you can flush all bearing do it otherwise let it air dry and add oil, if you don’t wanna deal with worm gear (hard to remove and install C clip)  then use CRC spray cleaner , spray wherever you can, worm gear frame and handle side plate. You don’t really have to do anything with palm side plate just let it air dry. For drag stacks just remove any moisture, apply a little bit of grease when install.

I use heavy oil 90w for frame bearings and bantam or Daiwa oil for spool bearing, cal grease for main gear, secondary gear and worm gear.

[Dens228]

Luck was on your side right there!  Well other than flinging it into the water....lol

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Since it didn’t lay on bottom or under very long, you’re probably ok for a while. Dry it out well, lubricate everything you can reach and deep clean when convenient. 

[Deephaven]

Complete trash, have to throw it away.  I will pick it up in the am to do it for you.

 

 

 

Do your seasonal service and all is good.

[Deplorable Fisherman]

Here I am after diving in the lake going after my reel (also a tatula sv). I had just cast out and wasn't thinking much of it...decided for some reason after the cast it was a good time to stretch out my arms as I yawned. A fish also decided it was a good time to slam my bait and literally jerk the rod and reel from my relaxed hand. My bro tried to kick the boat backwards with the trolling motor but I watched in start to sink and I said to hell with it and dove in after my gear. Got it back with the fish still hooked up. It turned out to be quite refreshing as we were baking in bluebird skies/80+ degree weather.

 

 

[Deephaven]

Nice work.  Exactly why I have a dedicated phone and wallet spot in my boat.

[DitchPanda]

I've dropped reels in for longer than that before then just let them dry with no real issue. You can open it up and service it if you wish. But you'll probably be fine.

[Boomstick]

To be honest, I think your reel will be fine. If nothing else, I would apply oil to the bearings and when you take the spool out, clean up what you can with a Q-Tip.

[Wildbillb]

Dry, clean and lube.  Probably not much different  than fishing in a down poor for a few hours

[Grim_Reaver]

I've dropped a bc reel in sand fishing a beach and submerged it in pure saltwater to wash the sand out. Only thing I did was rinse it after I got home as usual and it still works good as new. Your reel should be fine.