Was I really supposed to keep my reel from getting wet?

[Jack Wasylyk]

Hello all,

This is the first time I've posted so thank you in advance for your help. Also, forgive the lack of technical knowledge

that will no doubt be apparent in my description.

I got a nice rod and reel last year as a present. It served me well on a long sailing trip as we caught lots of stripers and bluefish trolling off the coast of New York and New England.

By the end of the season, the Senator reel was not working properly. With the reel 'open' and the clicker on, just the drag on the lure was enough to pull the line out. Even when I tightened the stainless steel handle as much as possible to increase resistance, it would still pull out easily.

I spoke to some guys in a fishing store about it and they told me that it was my fault for letting the reel get wet. This was very surprising to me, since it's a fishing pole, but as I said I am a novice at this. They informed me that Senators are dry reels and that it will need professional servicing.

So my question is... were they accurate in their diagnosis? Do I really need to keep my rod and reel dry? Do I really need professional service? If so, how much could I expect them to charge for the repair?

Thanks a lot for any information you can give me about this!

Jack

[SirSnookalot]

A senator is one of the most durable saltwater reels ever made.  I don't know what's wrong with the reel and yes it should be serviced, but a fishing reel not getting wet is ridiculous, especially a saltwater reel that should be rinsed off after each outing anyway.  Perhaps something was lost in translating their explanation.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don't see water causing a drag to not work properly. I'll be happy to take a look at it if you'd like.

Mike

[Hammer 4]

i use my freshwater reels to fish the salt, and have accidentally dipped them in saltwater, as stated above, I rinse them off after use, they work fine. I do a minor clean and lube once a week on them though.

[baluga]

There's no way you can keep the reel from getting wet everytime you use it. Always rinse you reel and rod after use. You need to have it serviced. Professional cleaning for those reels usually starts from $20 price goes up when parts/bearings are rusted and needed replacements.

The first thing I do with new reel before the initial saltwater water use is disassemble them and brush on grease on the wall side of the frame and all metal parts. Lube the drags and oil the bearings.  This keeps it from salt built up and corrosion from the inside. Always rinse the reel with fresh water and don't forget to tighten the drag before rinsing.

[repper]

I'm not clear as to what the problem is with the reel. And the folks at the tackle shop weren't much help. It's also not clear how long the reel was exposed to the saltwater before being rinsed. If the reel was exposed to saltwater for a "long sailing trip" without being rinsed off then the salt could have caused some pretty serious damage to this, or any, reel.  Senators are very basic reels though so it should not be too bad getting it back into good condition. But if your rod and reel are on the deck of your sailboat for long periods of time you should  at the very least rinse them off daily. And I would recommend you keeping the reel covered anytime it's exposed to the weather, when you are at sea. Saltwater or even salt air can ruin any reel quickly if measures are not taken to protect them

[SoFlaBassAddict]

A senator is one of the most durable saltwater reels ever made. I don't know what's wrong with the reel and yes it should be serviced, but a fishing reel not getting wet is ridiculous, especially a saltwater reel that should be rinsed off after each outing anyway. Perhaps something was lost in translating their explanation.

x2

Senators are the old standby big game saltwater trolling reel.  I've still got a few here at the house that are antiques that are still in working order.  I used mine up until I graduated to Internationals.  There is no reason that it getting wet should have had any adverse effect on the reel.  It isn't all that uncommon to dump buckets of water on the reel to cool them down when you've got a very hard running fish.  I've done it multiple times and have never had a problem with any of my reels.  Sounds like you need to send it in to somebody that deal with large reels and have it serviced.  As far as price goes, that will all depend on whats wrong with it.  Most places will have a base service charge, then charge you for parts.  They're a fairly simple reel to work on yourself, but as you said, you're a novice.  I'd send it in to somebody who knows what they're doing.