How often???

[Justbass11]

DVT, how often should I grease my reels? I know at least once a year when one cleans the reel, but what about the in between? And if someone else wants to reply, by all means add your two cents in I take all the advice I can get. Thanks again 

Jeff

[Cbump]

@Delaware Valley Tackle

[iabass8]

the in between is the most important. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There are lots of variables in use, conditions etc so no one size fits all. I’m most cases you shouldn’t need to open the reel just to grease in between regular cleanings. Keeping the level wind brushed off and oiled, bearings oiled as needed and oiling accessible turning, sliding, moving parts should keep things working well. Occasionally pull the spool and swab off the rim and frame. If your reel has a port like Lews and ABUs adding some grease mid season or stretch the cleaning interval a little doesn’t hurt. Iabass8 is right, interim care is very important. 

[Catt]

30 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Keeping the level wind brushed off and oiled

 

Y'all will be amazed the difference this will make. I clean & lub the worm gear & the housing the line guide moves on. This is extremely important for the bank fisherman.

[GPtimes2]

As stated already, lots of variables. I can't say how many, but it would come down to the number of casts. 

[Bankc]

If you're like me, and you fish all of the time but don't service all of your reels at once, you'll know when it's time to service a reel.  You can tell that it's not retrieving as smoothly or casting as far.  Something will start to feel/sound off with it.  If you don't fish that often, it might be harder to notice the subtle differences.  In that case, once a year is probably on the safe side.

Typically, for me, it's about once a year on average.  Sometimes I'll need to do a reel after four to six months, or sometimes it can go two years or more.  

 

I have a reel made in 1974 that I still use from time to time.  It belonged to my grandfather and he never serviced his reels.  I got it in the late 2000's, so it made it over 30 years without being serviced, and still fishes fine after a cleanup and lube job.  They're not super delicate items.  So how often you service kind of depends on how good of condition you expect it to be in, and how often you use it.  If you only fish a couple of times a year but take care of it in between, you could probably go a decade between teardown events.  

[gim]

2 hours ago, GPtimes2 said:

As stated already, lots of variables. I can't say how many, but it would come down to the number of casts. 

Some of us only get to use our reels for half the year too, so we aren't getting nearly as much use out of them.

 

I usually take mine in to a local bait and tackle shop every couple years for a complete tear down, cleaning, and lubrication.  I fish a lot in the rain though too.

 

My stance on this is that its better to do preventative maintenance than to have to replace the reel or parts of it.

[Bird]

Once a year.

Usage rate drops with increased inventory.

I keep 10 Rods and reels on the boat and they all get used.

If I were to only use 3 or 4 then additional service would be required...... just the way a simple mind works.

[WIGuide]

Mine usually get a cleaning once a year or as needed. You can feel if they need some attention early, they'll feel off or will start to make little noises they don't normally. 

[waymont]

I clean and lube over the winter, and once mid season. I like all my reels to be as smooth and fast running as possible.

[Alex from GA]

Kayak fishermen need more reel maintenance; they get dunked.