Reel Storage Tip

[papajoe222]

With hunting season right around the corner and winter not far behind, I know a lot of anglers will be putting aside their gear until next spring.  One word of caution when doing so:  Back off the tension knob on your baitcasters.  The tension knob works by adding tension to the end of the spool's shaft pushing it against a disc. The harder the pursh, the more 'spool tension.'  That disc on many baitcasters, is made of plastic and if tension is applied for long periods of time it ends up looking like a spent primer on a shotgun shell. Then, more pressure is needed to get tension and that tension isn't uniform or consistent.   So, save yourself from scratching your head next spring wondering why you're backlashing one out of every 6-7 casts. 

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Back off the tension knob on your baitcasters. 

And the drag - especially if it's a lower-price unit that uses oil-felt rather than fiber drag washers.

 

Spinning reels too...back off the drag before storage.

[ATA]

I never store my reel for long time, But always put the in cover in my Shimano reel bag and just bring them out night before fishing or if I drive long, ill bring them out at the lake and install them on rod, It is not keeping them safe also good for rods, It will have no pressure on rods.

 

and this is my reel that I am using mostly. the rest are in another bag with my travel rods

[islandbass]

@papajoe222: Great advice, but I’m so anal, I back off both the spool tension knob and drag in the way back to the car after every outing, lol. 

[tim_kovar]

I have heard you arent supposed to move the spool tension knob on the newer daiwa baitcasters these days.

[Phil77]

15 hours ago, tim_kovar said:

I have heard you arent supposed to move the spool tension knob on the newer daiwa baitcasters these days.

The zero adjuster LOL.

[Jig Man]

I’ve heard that and for a while did it even between trips but I quit.  I have somewhere around 20 setups in the boat and its just too much of a bother to do it plus forgetting about it, making a cast, getting a strike and trying to set the hook.

[new2BC4bass]

On 10/1/2021 at 4:14 AM, islandbass said:

@papajoe222: Great advice, but I’m so anal, I back off both the spool tension knob and drag in the way back to the car after every outing, lol. 

Same, except for spool tension.  That is already set low.  I do completely back off on the drag either before putting the rod in the car (normally) or when putting the rod away at home (if I forgot earlier).  Also keep reels with covers on them at all times when not in my hand.