How to Clean Your Shimano Fishing Reel

There's nothing worse I think than snagging a big one, only to have problems reeling it in because of a dirty reel. I'm sorry to say, you have to clean your reel occasionally if it is to last, and to perform well.

Let's start with frequency. You'll need to clean your reel only once or twice a year (twice is better if you fish in salt water). It's not a difficult process when you know what you're doing. Let's start with the needed tools:

* one clean towel

* a small screwdriver (typically it's a Phillips head)

* a bottle of reel grease--not WD-40 (WD-40 leaves a residue that attracts dirt. Use a good quality reel grease)

* some Q-tips

* a few paper towels

First, remove the reel from the rod. Use a couple of paper towels to wipe it off completely.

Next, remove the handle of the reel. The handle normally is removed in one of two ways--either by removing a screw of some sort in the handle itself, or simply by holding the reel and turning the handle backwards. This removes the handle. Once removed, set the handle onto a clean towel.

Now make sure that the reel is lying in such a way that the screws that hold it together are exposed. Then remove these screws (usually there are between three and five) and place them next to the handle. This should expose a small plate which can now be removed. Remove that plate and put it next to your screws.

You are now looking inside the reel. First, with a Q-tip, clean visible debris and dirt that may be in the reel. Then put a couple drops of that good reel grease on each visible moving gear.

One caution here: a lot of grease is not necessarily a good thing. You can clog things with too much grease--a few drops is usually all that's needed.

Now we reassemble the reel by reversing the process above. Screw the plate back into place. Then, before you put your handle back in place, put a few drops of grease on it as well. Now reattach the handle.

 

About the Author

The author is passionate about Shimano fishing. For more information on the best prices available online, visit Shimano reels.