Fall Fishing Reel Care

Maintaining your fishing reels doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the help of a mini-screwdriver set, you can disassemble the basic components of your reel without creating an impossible jigsaw puzzle. For a baitcaster, for example, removing the main cover plate will expose the main gear and bearing.

Once there, clean off pre-existing buildup, which includes lubricant and organic material like salt crystals and marine life residue. Use a cleaner to free material from metal surfaces. Soap and water is popular, but it will not get out heavy buildup, and it can leave a residue. Tetra Gun Spray does a nice job and leaves just enough synthetic lube.

Then, apply a small bead of Tetra lubricant oil or Tetra grease to moving parts. An oil viscosity is better for the bearing; light grease is more ideal for joints and other friction-vulnerable surfaces.

For a spinning reel, the main shalt, handle and bail joints are most in need of a good reel lube.

The drag is often treated with an oil viscosity. Some offshore conventional reels work better with a thicker grease consistency.

A good lubricant protectant can also provide exterior protection for the reel. Polish lubricant protectant metal reel and rod parts and you will have a protective coating for the season. Just lightly spray down tackle after fishing and see the difference.

Of course, always consult the manual provided by the reel manufacturer for specific disassembly and assembly instructions.

Strike Pro Dart-R Kings a Classic Light Tackle Darter

Ultrasonic Reel Cleaning for Spring

In the Northeast, with the post-ice fishing season coming to and end and other fisheries seasons approaching opening day, it is time to get out the reels and get the ready.   New line, for sure.  But what about cleaning and lubricating?  There are many opinions out there, but we can all agree that you want to get dried up biological material off the reels to allow for uninhibited movement for reel parts.  With such finely precision metal-to-metal contact, you want to get crud off, whether that be dried blood, caked on seaweed, salt crystals, dirt, sand and even old lube, sometimes just wiping parts down doesn't do it.

You want a good free spool (feeling friction and resistance is a bad sign).  The main shaft is a critical lubrication point.  The bail joints and handle are important as well. You'd be surprised what a few specs of grit can do to interfere with a long cast.   Be careful with the drag. Pads should be free of material.

The leading reel manufacturers all have recommendations on reel care, including: Penn, Shimano, Daiwa, Van Staal, Okuma, Fin-Nor, Lew's, Quantum, Fox, Shakespeare, Abu-Garcia, Accurate, Wavespin, Avet and others, and some actually offer their own brand of reel grease, reel oil and reel cleaner.

Many years ago, I discovered the upgrade to ultrasonic machines, which are commonly used in gun care, the same principle applies to fishing reels.  While following manufacturers application instructions, you can takedown a reel and put the parts in the mesh basket, run a 30-minute cycle in an ultrasonic machine and really get reels sparkling clean, and ready for lubrication.  The second stage of ultrasonics is the lubricating oil bath.  After that, you can use a specialty oil or grease, which ever is appropriate for particular reel parts, while being careful not to lubricate where you don't want it.

One company that I found has some nice hardware, combining the action of ultrasonics with the benefit of a heated cleaner solution, which helps to penetrate the pores of the metal.
http://www.sonicsystemsales.com

Fox Trek travel rod and Fox Diablo reel in action

Bill Boyce on WFN

Fox Sport Fishing, which was introduced over 2 years ago, offers a full line of premium saltwater travel rods.  Spokesperson Bill Boyce, who airs on WFN, along with other pro staffers, demonstrate how well the Fox Diablo reels and Fox Trek travel rods hold up on an array of species.  New for 2014 are IGFA approved offshore and inshore models as well as models specifically designed for kayak fishing.  Additionally, there are regionally targeted models offered under the names Montauk, Marathon, Laguna, Cortez, Carolina and Panama ... talk about destinations.

Fox has the only travel rods that are broken down into cases that are allowed as carry-on.  Size matters. The various models are all either 4 or 5-piece units.  Fully warrantied.  Retail prices range from $299.99 and up.  Go to the http://www.foxsportfishing.com website to find your nearest dealer.

Fishbelly Popper Shad 6" soft bait

I see that Mysterytacklebox.com is featuring the Fishbelly Popper Shad 6"

It can be rigged on a Texas- or Weedless rig, or even on a light jighead, especially the ballhead style.

This is one of Fishbelly's original designs. The one pictured is the Alewife color but the appearance will vary based on lighting.  Between the open mouthed design and the big whale tale, it's gonna make a splash with the bass you're targeting.

New Ballyhoo Bonnets from Tormenter Tackle

Targeting Wahoo and Billfish this year?

The new Ballyhoo Bonnet from Tormenter Tackle feature large holes, slides easy over dredge wire and bait rig (wire or mono) loops.

Available in blue/silver, green/gold, blue/pink, black/red and blue/black.

Ask your leading independent tackle shop for details.

Besides Marlin and Sailfish, these great parachute rig designs are also Also used for Kingfish and Tuna trolling.

Fishbelly

Fishbelly, makers of the Hawg Shad, Helix Buzz and Samurai TwinSpin lures will be introducing new lure designs for 2014, including new, select color / patterns that will be irresistible to bass and other species.

Over a decade ago, Fishbelly was the first company to introduce realistic hand poured soft baits to the United States fishing tackle industry.  Inspired by original Japanese designs, the Hawg Shad and its sister designs over the years, the Kick-S Shad, Popper Shad and Gator Shad, catered to the demand of fishermen, especially in regards to colors that they pioneered to match the hatch, including names like: Ayu, Pearl-blue Minnow, Blueback Herring, Greenback Minnow, Silverside, Alewife, Marsh Minnow, Baby Rainbow Trout, baby Steelhead trout, Aji, Saba, Sanma, Bay Anchovy, Shad, Hitch, June Bug and baby bass.

The Helix Buzz buzzbait was very innovative, featuring the patented Helix blade design and eye-down presentation.  In more recent years, the Samurai TwinSpin was the first spinnerbait with a tripe swivel configuration that delivers a full umbrella that flies through the water.

Fishbelly is definitely an original.  Just as their lures imitate live bait, other bait companies imitate Fishbelly innovations.

So stay tuned, bass anglers, great bass lure designs are on the way.