I have never had this pproblem before but what do you guys use for reel lube. This spring I did my usual reel lube to all my fly reels with reel oil. I had a problem with my saltwater reel accumulating salt in the oil forming a paste even though I rinse my reel after use. I don’t have a problem with my fresh water reels so I know that the oil isn’t bad. I cleand out my reel of salt and paste this weekend. I used it yesterday and while pulling line off I could hear my reel squeaking, metal on metal.
What do you guys use for a lube that won’t attract or accumulate salt. Thanks
Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
I am pretty sure that is not the drag squeaking. I think it is actually the spool on the shaft because that is usually where I oil the reel and don’t have any problems. It is a Scientific anglers 8/9 disc drag reel. I got the reel because I was told that SA keeps the spools the same through model changes so old spools will work with new reels.
I am thinking about last time I put chapstick on my lips and remember all the crap it used to collect and get stuck in it so I am thinking that it will accumulate salt. I guess that I will give it a try
Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
According to the rep, it was the best lube he could find. It has a wax type base, does well with standing up to heat and is soft enough to soften and lubricate when there is some heat applied. Cost was not an issue.
Nick,
I?m not a lube expert, so this is just an opinion. If you were picking up salt, grime, dirt, etc.: I would think that your lube is too thick and/or you are using too much. Lubes can come anywhere from grease to thin oil. Superlube or something thinner then you are using now may be the deal. I use reel-x, but couldn?t say it was better then anything else.
As far as your shaft squeak, those thick lubes don?t spread very well, which may be causing the squeak. Grease is good for pawls, springs and that kind of stuff, but not great for shafts as you want the lube to distribute it self on the entire shaft. Grease wants to stay where it is put, which would be advantage in certain circumstances.
Jason
Jed,
Interesting?, the wax type base is what made me dubious. Can?t say that it doesn?t work, as I never tried it.
Usually clean the reels & most parts with Boeshield T-9 & wipe off; then let evaporate. Use Penn Reel Lube &/or “blue” grease; Super Lube synthetic oil &/or teflon grease : or a combination of, depending on the # of parts & the specific lubrication requirements for each. Salt dries on everything in the heat & even a good soaking in water doesn’t remove it all!
Different manufacturers have their favorites and not all are the same. Neats Foot Oil is one that crops up at times for cork or get with your reel maker and ask. As for the reel itself, Boeshield with a Q-tip and a drop of fine oil on moving parts.
Rinse after each use fresh or salt, clean the line and dry. Do not dunk the reel untill you check with your reels maker as there are a few that discourage this.
My system is to rinse the reel and rod under warm running water after first stripping the line and any backing used into a basin filled with warm soapy water. Then pull the plug and rinse the line and backing under the running water as you reel it back on. Pull the reel apart, rinse spool and frame again and set it aside to dry while pulled apart.
Good Fishing
Chuck Scheerschmidt
“I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved.”
Back when I used to fish a medalist reel in the salt, I used wheel bearing grease on the spindle, 3 in 1 oil on the rest.
I’d clean and oil the reel after each use.
Never a problem unless I forgot.
When you fish a medalist in salt water you learn real quick how to take care of your gear.
Now I carry a little tube of Penn reel lube, but when I clean the reels at home I still use the grease(light coat)and 3’n 1 oil.
“Nick’s heart tightened as the trout moved. He felt all the old feeling” …Ernest Hemingway
I would suggest starting over with a really clean reel.
IMO there is nothing better to remove oil , grease ,etc than Brake Cleaner…I prefer it to carburetor cleaner…easy to use and gets things squeaky clean…I’d remove the line and backing.
Thanks for all the replies. I am going to try everything mentioned and see what works best. I haven’t hit the salt in a couple of weeks so I haven’t had a chance to try everything out.
D. Micus,
I don’t worry about the brand…you can probably get it at Napa and in any of the auto sections of stores like…Target, Wal-mart etc…Costco has had it at times 3 cans at a time…the carburetor cleaner tends to leave a little oily residue which I suppose can be beneficial at times but I prefer to start really clean…great gun cleaner too.
Make sure you don’t have plastic or rubber parts in your reel when useing brake or carb cleaner. The cleaner will eat it away. or make it swell. Don;t know much bout salt water reels, but do know something about auto cleaners. WD40 will eat rubber as well. Just adding my warm water 2 cents…
Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement…
[This message has been edited by Grubb (edited 13 September 2005).]
I know I need to get out but this semester I have to get my graduate thesis finished so I can get paid real money. Graduate budget sucks and living at home at 24 is starting to get old fast but I love my truck too much to sell it to live alone
Next week I will get out sometime and hopefully the water has started to cool to get the fall bite going. Last two times I went out really sucked, no bikini’s and no fish.
Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
