Fishing in Saltwater

[Smiths.R]

I have an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur.  I was just wondering if it would be ok to fish saltwater with it?  It should be fine if I rinse it off really well when I'm done fishing right?  Please feel free to correct me!

Thanks

[SoFlaBassAddict]

No issues as long as you thoroughly wash it down.  You should do it after any fishing trip to be totally honest.  Takes a few seconds to squirt them down with a hose.

[0119]

Just dont have any pressure behind the water, it'll force water into places you dont want it.  An old ambassadeur is great for saltwater fishing, very tough.  There was a time not so long ago when if you went to Choko. with a spinner, they would have laughed you out of town. Everybody had a good old red 5000C.

[islandbass]

Defintiely rinse off the exterior of the reel. I just run it under the slow running water of my bathroom or kitchen sink and dry it with a clean towel.

In addition, I open the reel to check to see if the salt water or debris (eg, sand) got in.

Lastly, do this asap. It is one task with which I will not procrastinate.

[baluga]

What they said 

The Abu should be fine .  But I do recommend to grease and oil before initial use for saltwater. Grease the side wall and all metal parts.  A drop of oil in all bearing, prawl.  Light oil on the cluctch bearing.  Then it's good to go.  Rinse after the outing.  Spraying with the corrosion-x is also good for those reel with heavy saltwater use.   Maintenance every 3 mos,  clean and oil the spool bearings and it should last a long time.  I even use my CORE 100 MG on saltwater in  harbors for topwater lure like the Zara spook jr and rebel por-r.   A lot of fun, nothing like a bonita strikes  the spook and run. 

[Smiths.R]

One more questions.

Is braid good to use in saltwater?  I use braid on my spinning/baitcaster for freshwater, and I have no desire to use mono just because I'm in saltwater.

Any thoughts?

[0119]

No problems using braid in salt. Just be aware that debris including salt can get into the fiberous texture of the line and stay there. But that goes for in freshwater too. Just another reason not to like braid! Im sure the rinse you do to the reel will rinse the line too.

[SirSnookalot]

Not a bit of problem with braid and saltwater, I use it daily. I've had the same braid on some reels for year or 2 with no adverse affect. I prefer braid for saltwater( for fresh too).

[Grewia]

It may come as a surprise, but there are many "freshwater only" reels that can withstand salt-use taking into account a regular and thorough maintenance regimen. I find that almost all Shimano's are salt safe (including Aldebaran, Conquest 51, Curado 201E). Spool bearings may lose performance but again, with regular and complete maintenance it shouldn't be an issue... Daiwa reels on the other hand I would not risk unless explicitly stated as saltwater safe.