Complete Guide to Fishing Reel Repair and Maintenance
January 2022
The fishing reel is the most complex and critical component of an anglers gear. It requires regular care and maintenance to keep it running in optimal condition. With a bit of experience, you can save a fishing trip by repairing your reel while still on the water. Many manufacturers have many reels with very similar components, so when you learn the details on a specific model, you can fix others in their product line. For more context read our article Fishing Reel End of Year Maintenance.
It is fun to find “bargain” reels at tag sales, online auctions, etc. and bring them back to perfect working order. If a reel has not been maintained properly, you can often bring it back to optimal condition with a simple cleaning and oiling.
How to Get Started
Tools and Preparation
Good lighting in your workspace is required. Many reel components are quite small, so having proper lighting makes them much easier to repair and reassemble . I put a small box under my seat where I am working, so if (when) parts drop to the floor, they will be in the box and not get lost. This happens a lot especially on parts that are spring loaded or under tension.
- Q-tips (a lot of them)
- WD-40 or similar solvent
- Paper Towels
- Small Philips and regular screw drivers
- Parts tray
- Fine steel wool (remove corrosion and dried grease)
- Small needle nose pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Used toothbrush (cleaning)
- Reel oil (specifically for reels – use for bearings)
- Reel grease (specifically for reels – use for gears and shafts)
- Drag grease (optional)
- Toothpicks (cleaning small areas)
- Parts solvent (acetone, carb cleaner to remove stubborn grease)
General Approach
Fishing reels have common issues when they get dirty, have lack of lubrication or component failure. You can look online or below in this article to find the service manuals and schematics for your brand and model of reel. Start the repair by removing the spool and inspecting the drag stack. Remove any old grease and dirt as you go. Then the gears and level wind or oscillation mechanisms can be removed. This typically requires you to remove the side plate on the reel to expose these components. Use reel oil on components such as spool shafts, roller bearings, other bearings, etc. Use reel grease on gears, and any real moving parts. You can use too much grease, so it is best to use a light coating. Using too much grease can cause problems with reel function and collect and trap dirt and grime.
Reel Inspection
Take a good look at the reel and perform simple tests.
- Does anything seem missing such as screws, handles or covers?
- Order replacement parts as required
- Are there any areas of rust or pieces that appear bent or misshapen?
- You can remove rust with steel wool and vinegar
- You can try to bend a part back into shape, but often it will need to be replaced.
- Does it retrieve smoothly, or does it hesitate or stick?
- Check the spool alignment
- Check the gear mechanisms
- Clean and re-lubricate, as needed (oil on bearings, grease on gears and moving parts)
- Does the anti-reverse mechanism work properly?
- Check the gear mechanisms
- Clean and re-lubricate, as required (oil on bearings, grease on gears and moving parts)
- Does the drag work smoothly?
- Clean spool and washers
- Check the drag washers. Are they scored, grooved or bent? If so, replace them.
- Lubricate as necessary (some drags work best without oil/grease)
- For spinning reels, does the bail mechanism trip properly?
- Check for broken bail spring
- For spinning reels, does the line roller work smoothly?
- These need to be extremely clean. A speck of sand can stop a line roller
- Use light oil or Teflon lubricant for these
- Line rollers often wear our and could need replacing.
Drag Servicing and Maintenance
A well performing drag system is your best friend when trying to catch a big fish. If the drag sticks or hesitates, you will break the line and lose fish. Drags need to be clean with absolutely no sand or dirt in them.
Wet and Dry Drag Washers
Some reel drags do not require oil or grease. Drags with white Teflon washers work best dry. I have a small spinning reel from Abu Garcia that had a rough drag system. I cleaned it fully, removing all old oil and grease and it worked perfectly in without lubrication.
Drags with synthetic carbon drag washers need a light coating of grease for optimal operation. Regardless of the type of drag, the washers need to be installed in the proper sequence or for them to work properly. If you get mixed up on the sequence when installing the washers, print the schematic diagram for the reel for assistance. It is best not to torque down the drag too much. If it is not holding properly there is probably something wrong and over torquing it can distort key components and cause other issues.
Drag Maintenance
After every day of fishing, it is best practice to loosen the drag (so it spins freely) and rotates the reel spool back and forth to release tension on the washers. This will enhance the longevity and function of your reel drag system.
Reel Repair Information and Parts
- Parts Suppliers
- Reel Vendors
- Internet Forums
- Alan Tani – Great resource for many reel brands.
- YouTube Channels
- 2nd Chance Tackle – A great channel for detailed reel repair troubleshooting.
- Tackle Advisors
- TSG Reel Service
- Back on the Bench Reel Restore
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