|
 Today’s
fisherman has a seemingly endless selection of high quality reels for
fighting fish to the boat. Some anglers choose high end reels to ensure
peak performance on tournament day or on that precious one week
vacation. Others maintain that the generic or Bass Pro Shops brand
reels, which cost a fraction of the “name brands,” get the job done
every bit as well. Another subset of fisherman mix it up with their
reels using both top notch equipment and more economical models. The
thing they all have in common is a significant amount of money tied up
in their reels.
What many of the aforementioned anglers may not realize is that their
valuable tools are in
serious danger of losing their effectiveness & value. Widespread
misconceptions, common handling errors and serious wear & tear can cause
many of today’s fishing reels to have their lives cut short.
The good news is, problems can be avoided and so can buying
new reels. Mark Anderson, a master in the art of reel maintenance is
convinced reels can be preserved, last every bit as long as intended and
provide maximum value. Mark and his father Dave co-own “Dave’s Reel
Service” in Vernon Hills, IL which has been servicing reels for over 20
years. Dave began repairing reels in 1967 when he worked for Joe
Bonadonna at the Bon A Don fishing store in Half Day, IL. With all that
experience and expertise, Mark and Dave are quick to point out five of
the biggest mistakes and pitfalls anglers (and their reels) commonly
fall victim to.
#1
– One very common reason Mark sees reels in his shop is when anglers
leave their rods and reels strapped on the deck of the boat while
towing. No fisherman in his right mind would set his reel down in the
sand, right? Well, strapping down your rods/reels and leaving them
uncovered while towing can be virtually the same thing. Road grime and
dirt can stack up in reels faster than a school of smallmouth on a mid
lake rock hump.
Solution?
Simply cover your reels, put your rods under the deck in rod lockers or
keep them in the vehicle when towing. For reels with grime already in
them, clean them thoroughly and/or take them to a local qualified reel
service technician (RTC).
#2
– Another huge problem with today’s reels is the intense pressure
they’re put under by incredibly strong, stretch free super braid lines.
Flipping a jig in thick cover, casting Kermit over dense weed matts or
chunking giant sized musky baits are all techniques that frequently
dictate braided line. The new lines available, the lures they are
paired with and the type of fish they catch puts tremendous strain on
the insides of a reel. Even the best built and most expensive reels,
when turned into a lunker-winch, can be seriously damaged. Gears, drive
shafts, and spool shafts can all be distorted by using no-stretch lines,
especially braid.
Solution?
Aside from easing up on the drag or using a different line, anglers will
need to have important internal components of their reels examined and
possibly replaced by a local qualified RTC. Also – and this goes for
reels with or without braid – lighten your drag at the end of every
trip or tournament. Just don’t forget to tighten it back up before that
first hookset of the day next time out.
#3
– Sturgeon Bay, Erie, Winnebago – what do they all have in common
besides great fishing? Big water and big waves. According to Mark,
fishing reels are only semi-waterproof. That means waves crashing over
your front deck or rolling over the side in big water can drench the
insides of your reels. If it happens once or twice, it’s probably no
big deal. But several times or all day long can be cause for concern.
Water can actually displace the lubricants in your reel and cause the
gears to corrode.
Solution? –
If you can’t avoid the big waves
making their way onto your deck, keep your rods below deck between spots
if possible. Only have the rods you really need above deck while
fishing. Another option – which actually leads into the next pitfall –
is to lubricate your reel from time to time. But be careful what kind
you use and how much!
#4
– Over-lubricating reels or using the wrong kind of grease or oil is
another potential hazard for reel-owners. Many anglers try their best
to maintain their equipment and never intend to harm their reel when
getting the lube out. But isn’t there an old saying that goes something
like “The road to the reel graveyard is paved with good intentions?”
The wrong lubricant, over application or worse yet – both, can be
disastrous for reels.
Solution?
– Mark recommends treating your reel similarly to a gun that requires
regular care as it‘s broken in. Wipe it down after an outing and if
necessary, add a small amount of the manufacturers recommended lubricant
(usually comes with the box you
bought it in)
to the knobs and level wind. You can also add 1 drop of oil to
the shaft – no more. Be careful with products such as Hotsauce,
which if used incorrectly, can actually pull grease off of gears
#5
– Neglect and/or self maintenance can lead to big problems with
equipment. Using your reels time after time, year after year without
any tender loving care can lead to debacles on the water. In general,
your reels, their value and their performance will deteriorate over
time. But performing maintenance on reels can be more difficult than a
“do it yourself” Field & Stream article might suggest. For
example, many of today’s smooth reels have increased numbers of bearings
in them. According to the Andersons, “one bad bearing can turn your
reel into a coffee grinder.” They recommend letting a professional
service your reel – at least once every three years.
Solution
– Perform the same preventative maintenance listed above and have your
reel serviced as needed. For the more mechanically inclined and “do it
yourselfers;” clean, disassemble, lubricate, examine & make necessary
repairs. If that sounds a bit complicated, check out Dave’s reel
service at
www.davesreelservice.com or call (847) 549–7170.
Some of today’s reels are so advanced that one might think they could
maintain themselves. Unfortunately, since those haven’t been developed
yet - anglers need to simply take good care of their investment. If
you’re considering sending a reel back to the manufacturer, keep in mind
that many reel companies have technicians fixing their reels that don’t
even fish! Consider calling someone that fishes, has invaluable
experience with all major brands of reels and that you can meet in
person, like the Andersons. Otherwise, you might spend more on shipping
than you would for some great personalized local service. Reels will be
completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected, any worn parts replaced and
appropriate lubricants applied. They have parts in stock for all major
brands and styles of reel – even the very high end models. Dave’s Reel
Service can also repair or restore that old vintage reel.
So when the lakes turn over, the weed patches die off and the fish
become neutral, consider some preventative maintenance for your reels.
Or – call the Andersons and they’ll do it for you!
(Reels can be shipped direct to the shop or dropped off at: Fishtech in
Morton Grove, GAT guns in East Dundee, Strictly Fishing in Plainfield or
Anglers International in Palatine.) |
