Taking care of your fishing reels ensures that they stay smooth and reliable for many seasons and keeps them performing well for years. Proper maintenance and cleaning will add life to the reels and keep them working like new. Professional anglers John Murray, Bill McDonald, and Tai Au share some insights on cleaning and maintaining their reels.
John Murray – Worm Gear Maintenance
Murray has been fishing professionally for decades and has seen many improvements in the quality of fishing reels, but maintaining them has remained important since he began his professional career on the west coast. One of the most vital parts of a reel, according to Murray, is the level wind bar and worm gear.
"That is something that is key to me and is very important for how smooth a reel is," he said. "I touch it up with a drop of Lucas Reel Oil at least once a month so that it flows better. It doesn't get stuck anymore and you'll notice a big improvement in the performance of a reel."
Murray likes the ease of use for the product and the precision needle applicator for one-drop applications that make it quick and easy.
"It's made specifically for the applying on small reel parts," he said. "I keep it in my boat and can apply it right on the reel, even in the middle of a tournament, and not lose much time. It's great to get your reels feeling smooth after a lot of use, or maybe you drove down a dirt road or fished in the rain; it will clean that right up and you'll notice they are smoother immediately."
The oil also works great for reel bearings, but Murray advises paying attention to the type of bearings in your reel.
"It doesn't work well with ceramic bearings," he said. "Standard stainless steel bearings are where it works best. It will get them performing like new."
Bill McDonald – Greasing Gears and Cleaning Brakes
Lucas Oil worked with Lew's to develop some additional reel maintenance and cleaning products and that includes a reel grease made for spinning reels and another specifically for baitcast reels.
"They are two different greases and Lucas built them with the exact specifications that Lew's wanted, with different viscosities," said McDonald. "I like to smear a little on the driveshaft of the reel and start to crank it. You don't want too much on there and a little goes a long way."
Another Lew's specific product is the Speed Brake Centrifugal Brake Clean and Lube, which tackles an often overlook part on the reel. McDonald pops off the side plate on his reel and lubricates the brakes themselves.
"There's a brass disk there and all you need is a couple of drops to clean and lubricate it," he said. "The applicator makes it easy, and it's just like the Lucas Reel Oil where you can make it apply one drop at a time."
Tai Au and Bill McDonald – Cleaning Bearings
This time of year, Tai Au spends less time on the water and gives his equipment a once-over, especially his reels.
"I don't buy all new reels every year and usually only add a few each season," Au began. "Most of my reels are five or six years old and to keep them working great that long, you need to maintain them. The bearings are usually the first thing to go out, so I clean those every off-season and add some Lucas Reel Oil."
Au will remove the bearings and soak them in alcohol to give them a deep clean. Then once he puts them back in the reel, a few drops of Reel Oil and he's good to go.
Bill McDonald also uses the Lucas Reel Oil for bearings and also mentioned another one he's a big fan of, the Lew's Hyperspeed Bearing Lube made by Lucas Oil.
"I'll add that to all of the bearings and also on the worm drive," he said. "It is a thinner viscosity and works really well but doesn't last as long as the regular oil, so you'll have to apply it a little more often."
Bill McDonald –Increasing Casting Distance
Another final product that McDonald uses as part of his maintenance is the Lew's Speed Cast Treatment that Lucas Oil also makes. It is a water based product that prevents build-up on reels and lines and also helps to increase casting distance.
"I add it to my line but also spray it on my rod guides," he said. "The guides are key for casting distance and adding this helps your line slide right through."
By taking some extra time to clean and maintain your reels, you can keep them performing their best. The products and methods mentioned above are proven ways that the pros use to preserve their fishing reels.
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