As an avid angler, if you own a fishing reel, you’d well know how important it is to maintain it, especially if you have a saltwater reel. Sea salt is highly corrosive and can quickly damage your reel if you don’t take proper care of it. Saltwater fishing can be exciting, but it can also be dangerous for your gear if you don’t know how to maintain it.
Over time, saltwater can cause several problems for a fishing reel. Corrosion is a common issue and can be detrimental to the working of the reel. Suppose you don’t handle this issue on time. In that case, salt corrosion will eventually eat away at the metal components of your reel, causing parts to rust, freeze up or break down, and the bearings and gears could become less effective or stop working. Even worse, the corrosion and rust might spread to other parts of your equipment, making your work challenging, frustrating, and costly.
Therefore, keeping your fishing reel clean and corrosion-free is essential. Below are some steps you can follow to remove salt corrosion from your fishing reel effectively:
1. Disassemble
Begin by disassembling your reel – this might seem hard, but it is a natural process even for beginners. Remove the spool, the handle, and any other parts you can easily take apart. Make sure you pay close attention to what you’re unscrewing and how it fits back together again. A helpful trick would be to take pictures of your reel before disassembling it to know how to put things back properly.
2. Remove salt stains with Vinegar
After you have successfully disassembled the reel, the next step is to clean out any visible stains on your reel using white vinegar. To do this, soak a rag in vinegar and use it to wipe away the salt build-up. Make sure you start by gently wiping the outside and the inside of the reel. Keep in mind that you should never pour vinegar directly onto the reel as it can reach unseen components of the reel, making the situation worse.
3. Soak the parts in soapy water
After cleaning out the salt stains from your reel, soak the parts in warm, soapy water for a few hours. The soap will help with the fighting process and is an effective way of removing the remaining salt from the reel’s nooks and crannies.
4. Dry and Re-lubrication
After soaking the parts, rinse them clean with freshwater and dry them off promptly. Make sure the components are completely free of moisture before applying any lubrication. Use a light, durable lubricant like WD-40 or a light machine oil from the reel’s manufacturer.
5. Reassemble the Reel
Once the components are dry, and you have applied the lubricant, it’s time to put your reel back together. Follow the photos you’ve taken or use the reel manufacturer’s manual to ensure you’re putting every part back in its proper place. After reassembling, test the reel by spooling in and out to ensure everything is working properly.
In summary, salt corrosion is a common problem for every angler using saltwater fishing reels. Knowing how to remove salt corrosion from your reel is essential for maintaining your equipment over time. By following these simple steps, you can protect your fishing reel from saltwater damage, which can save you time and a whole lot of money. Always make sure you are using the correct tools and following the manufacturer’s guidelines when disassembling and cleaning your reel. As a responsible angler, you should always take care of your equipment, which will help ensure a fun, memorable, and safe fishing trip.