Baitcaster Submerged for 3 Days

[MontclairDave]

Dumped my yak in a lake and lost my new Shimano Curado MGL and Falcon rod after literally 3 casts. Spent an hour swimming around looking for it. No sign.

 

my son goes out this morning and notices the direction of the current in the lake and swims 15 yards away from where I was looking and bam, he finds it on first dive! 

 

but here’s the thing: it was in the water for about 4 days. It casts pretty well but since I am relatively new to baitcasting and this is definitely a new reel, I have little frame of reference for how the performance may have been affected.

 

I am in the middle of the Adirondacks and did not bring the reel lube that came with the rod. I do have some Ike Reel Snot I sprayed on the line and the line lay thingy. 
 

Any idea of how much damage is done to a reel after being in the water for 4 days? And what kind of maintenance should I do when I get back from this vacation? I assume WD40 (which I do have) is no bueno?

 

Thanks!

[jbrew73]

I would have it professionally cleaned and repaired. 

[Cravin]

Nothing to really damage. Break it down and clean and replace the lube. It has carbon drag not felt so no problem there. 

[DomQ]

Seeing how your new to casting reels, I'd get it serviced. Fresh grease for gears and oil for bearings is always a good thing. Could of had sand or mud get in it a bit. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Since it laid on the bottom for an extended period o suggest a full tear down sooner rather than later. I can take care of it if you’d like. Email or call. I’m not far from the Adk. 

[NOC 1]

6 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Dumped my yak in a lake and lost my new Shimano Curado MGL and Falcon rod after literally 3 casts. Spent an hour swimming around looking for it. No sign.

 

my son goes out this morning and notices the direction of the current in the lake and swims 15 yards away from where I was looking and bam, he finds it on first dive! 

 

but here’s the thing: it was in the water for about 4 days. It casts pretty well but since I am relatively new to baitcasting and this is definitely a new reel, I have little frame of reference for how the performance may have been affected.

 

I am in the middle of the Adirondacks and did not bring the reel lube that came with the rod. I do have some Ike Reel Snot I sprayed on the line and the line lay thingy. 
 

Any idea of how much damage is done to a reel after being in the water for 4 days? And what kind of maintenance should I do when I get back from this vacation? I assume WD40 (which I do have) is no bueno?

 

Thanks!

No real damage more than likely, but as others have said, you need to get it cleaned out good. Oil and grease mixed with water will homogenize or wash away and not lubricate anymore, plus it's probably got a nice layer of muck and grit in it. What IS likely to damage it is using it when it is full of grit especially with no lubrication.

[Maggiesmaster]

15 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Since it laid on the bottom for an extended period o suggest a full tear down sooner rather than later. I can take care of it if you’d like. Email or call. I’m not far from the Adk. 

Do this! I ‘lost’ a rod & reel underwater  at my dock for two weeks(?? I guess), and tried to clean the reel myself. Finally sent it back to Lews and they cleaned it really well.  I’m sure DVT would do a great job for you.

[WRB]

18 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Since it laid on the bottom for an extended period o suggest a full tear down sooner rather than later. I can take care of it if you’d like. Email or call. I’m not far from the Adk. 

^^^this ^^^

Tom

[newapti5]

After 3~4 days, dirt and sands would definitely have already gotten into the inside of the reel. Given that's a brand new reel, I won't suggest using it until having it cleaned thoroughly, inside and out, either by professionals or yourself. All those sands and dirt will be like sand paper rubbing on gears if you keep turning the handle. 

[craww]

As said- it needs to be stripped down to the frame and inspected/cleaned/lubed.

 

Every ball bearing has taken on water, much less sediment and such. Theres stories of reels “being fine” and the way shimano cakes on grease to protect certain ones- maybe so to a degree....But the one way clutch in the handle side plate will take on water and the pins rust in a heartbeat.

[MickD]

Let a pro handle it and get it done right.  Reels are too complex now for us amateurs to take them down far enough to really get them cleaned and then put back together correctly.  I had the same thing happen a few years ago, got it serviced by a pro, and now I don't even remember which reel it was.  Everything is fine.

[Phatha00]

Just send it in honestly. I have dropped mine in sand after water and had to rip it completely apart cause it started sounding weird then finally off to the company to get scrubbed 

[NJ_Snappy_Bois]

Lol saw your post on SOL so I was like why is this happening to so many people lately... Fairfield fishing tackle up by you is a great family owned shop if you're looking for a local professional solution. 

[Phatha00]

Everytime I have dropped mine in the water like that I had to send it in to get it corrected.

[MontclairDave]

13 hours ago, NJ_Snappy_Bois said:

Lol saw your post on SOL so I was like why is this happening to so many people lately... Fairfield fishing tackle up by you is a great family owned shop if you're looking for a local professional solution. 

Yup they are great! They’ve repaired a few of my older spinners and always do a great job. This time figured I’d send it straight to Shimano so we shall see how their repair service stacks up. 
 

so apparently I’m not the only one who “cheats” on SOL via Bassresource.com!

 

[NJ_Snappy_Bois]

29 minutes ago, MontclairDave said:

Yup they are great! They’ve repaired a few of my older spinners and always do a great job. This time figured I’d send it straight to Shimano so we shall see how their repair service stacks up. 
 

so apparently I’m not the only one who “cheats” on SOL via Bassresource.com!

 

Very nice people at Fairfield I like supporting them whenever I can.

 

Haha definitely. I go to SOL for surf tips and BST... here for largemouth and baitcaster discussions, or when I don't want to browse a site where everyone is 90 years old.