Opinion on reel condition

[BassSteve]

Hey,

 

So I'm curious how all you fellow fishermen feel about your reels cosmetic condition over the years. Do you baby your reels and try your best not to scratch them? Or do you just see it as a piece of equipment and the visual condition is not really the concern for you? Personally, if I even suspect that I might have blemished one of my precious reels my stomach drops for a second lol ?. After all, we pay a decent chunk of money for our reels. Just curious as to what your opinions are on the subject. Thanks 

[MN Fisher]

I don't baby them, but I don't knock them about either. If they happen to get a little boat rash, I'm not gonna cry about it...you're in the outdoor, things are gonna get a little dinged up - just the nature of the beast.

[T-Billy]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I don't baby them, but I don't knock them about either. If they happen to get a little boat rash, I'm not gonna cry about it...you're in the outdoor, things are gonna get a little dinged up - just the nature of the beast.

X2

[BassSteve]

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I don't baby them, but I don't knock them about either. If they happen to get a little boat rash, I'm not gonna cry about it...you're in the outdoor, things are gonna get a little dinged up - just the nature of the beast.

Oh ok I understand. When you are not using your reels are they stored or set aside with reel covers or do you typically leave them exposed?

[Jar11591]

I agree with the fellas above. I don’t try to ding them up but I don’t sweat a little boat rash. 

[BassSteve]

Just now, Jar11591 said:

I agree with the fellas above. I don’t try to ding them up but I don’t sweat a little boat rash. 

OK understood. Do you use reel covers on them or just leave them as is? 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, BassSteve said:

Oh ok I understand. When you are not using your reels are they stored or set aside with reel covers or do you typically leave them exposed?

Reel covers and rod socks when they're in the locker.

[Jar11591]

Just now, BassSteve said:

OK understood. Do you use reel covers on them or just leave them as is? 

I put reel covers on a couple of my nicer ones but I generally just keep them on during storage over the winter so they don’t collect dust. I’ll use them during transport occasionally. 

[Deleted account]

I don't go out of my way to destroy my tackle (and other sporting goods stuff) but I don't worry about it getting beat up with normal wear and tear either. 

[A-Jay]

Take care of your gear and it will most likely take care of you.

Todays better reels are designed with fairly tight tolerances.

Knocking them around might not be the best plan.

Don't see much 'boat rash' on @bulldog1935 's gear.

A-Jay

[LCG]

I keep my rods and  reels covered when not in use and during transport. When actually fishing I try not to scratch the reels, but it's a tool at the end of the day. I never lay my gear on rocks though, grass or ground yes.

[BassSteve]

3 minutes ago, LCG said:

I keep my rods and  reels covered when not in use and during transport. When actually fishing I try not to scratch the reels, but it's a tool at the end of the day. I never lay my gear on rocks though, grass or ground yes.

Same, although I will lay my rod and reel in the grass with the reel face up of course. It's funny how I have seen some people over the years sort of just toss their rod and reel in the grass. But then again they probably didn't spend $$$ on them lol

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

I put reel covers on a couple of my nicer ones but I generally just keep them on during storage over the winter so they don’t collect dust. I’ll use them during transport occasionally. 

Even my Avocet RZT spinners get covers...in the winter, every reel is in a drawer with a cushioned bottom - neighbor was redoing his kitchen and I snagged one of the old drawer-cabinets he was throwing out.

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Knocking them around might not be the best plan.

Don't see much 'boat rash' on @bulldog1935 's gear.

If you make a run when there's waves and don't totally secure the deck-rods down...that carpet is enough to start 'sanding' the surface.

[Mobasser]

I try and take the best care of my reels that I can. A little boat rash adds character. Kind of like a good cork grip that needs cleaning. It's a tool for fishing.

 

[BassSteve]

9 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I try and take the best care of my reels that I can. A little boat rash adds character. Kind of like a good cork grip that needs cleaning. It's a tool for fishing.

 

Me too...I learned my lesson the hard way 5 years ago when I decided to leave my rod and reel outside on a windy day leaning against the wall of my house...sure enough I hear a loud crack, left a nice couple dings in the paint. It was my new Curado 200k, only had it for a month....I was not a happy camper lol ? but it was my fault of course. These days when I use it, I always remember that dark day ?..

[bulldog1935]

@A-Jay some of it, I'm just the curator

 

Russian River, AK

ps - even though I have the net out, I didn't land this one - she tore the hook out when I got her back to my feet. 

[PhishLI]

53 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

Do you baby your reels and try your best not to scratch them?

When I move from spot to spot, I put my reels covers back on. Takes several seconds for each reel. Habits are painless after a while, and I don't see the point of my reels getting marked up by clattering against each other. 

[Log Catcher]

I try to take care of mine and not get them beat up. The only time mine are in the rod box is when I am fishing. I store mine inside in the basement when I get back home. I do use rod socks but I have never used any reel covers.

[NorthernBasser]

I try to take care of them. While in my locker they all have reel covers and rod sleeves. When I'm using them, I'll sit them down gently on my deck, not throw them down like I see some people do. If they get any kind of rash, so be it. Reel and rod covers go back on at the end of the fishing day.

 

This stuff isn't cheap. Nothing wrong with wanting to keep your stuff looking nice (as much as possible, at least).

[WRB]

I took good care of my reels kept them clean and in good working order. Most of my reels were over 20 years old when I sold them in good condition kept most of the original boxes.

Since I fished from my boat it was easy to care for them by using terry towels between layers of reels in the locker. The towels keeps dry and cushioned when traveling. My boats had smaller decks so only took out rods I was using, put away those not in use, mostly so wouldn’t step on the rods. 

Kept expando braid (rod socks) on the rod long before they were on the market.

Abuse your equipment and it may fail when you need most.

Tom

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, BassSteve said:

Oh ok I understand. When you are not using your reels are they stored or set aside with reel covers or do you typically leave them exposed?

Drags off with covers on.

[FrnkNsteen]

Like others have said, I don't baby them, but I do take care of them. Rod socks on most, reel covers on the nicer stuff. Socks and covers are removed when they come out of the rod locker and stay off til the day is done or they go back into the locker.

 

Setups are pulled from the boat in the fall and stored in racks in the garage with socks and covers during the offseason.

[a1712]

Rod Socks and reel covers. Rod socks come off when loading the boat, reel covers come off when used and back on when placed back down. I can pick a combo off the deck and switch the reel cover from the one I'm setting down to the one I'm using in seconds. Brian. 

[Columbia Craw]

My Buddy makes rod socks for me and cuts them to length for the specific rod model. My wife made cloth rod socks for me decades ago. Neoprene covers are for all reels.  

[roadwarrior]

I baby mine.