Fishing is fun and attracts both pro and beginner anglers. If you are a professional angler, I believe you understand the importance of having a well-maintained reel. If you love reeling big fish, having a faulty reel can ruin your success. All isn’t lost, though! There are numerous ways to maintain your device and improve its performance.
Check out ways to maintain your big game fishing reels:
1. Cleaning& Maintenance
Disassemble the parts carefully and number them as you remove them. This way, it will be easy to put back everything without leaving some parts afterward. Clean your reel and rinse thoroughly after every fishing activity. Use high-pressure water from a hose, for this will force out sand and dirt.
If using a spinning reel, tighten down the drags before rinsing. This helps block the water from sipping inside. Also, hold the drag upside down when rinsing; this minimizes the likelihood of the water getting into the reel.
2. Lubrication is key!
Once the reel is dry, lubricate all the moving parts, including the bearings, spool, spindles, and gears. Grease lightly and avoid heavy oil or grease; this can gum up and hinder the movement of the bearings and other moving parts. Ensure that your reel is cleaned and well lubricated before use. Otherwise, dirt and sand will cause damages which can be costly to repair.
However, if your reel is too rusty and costs much on repairs, perhaps it’s time to replace it. https://www.meltontackle.com/big-game-reels has a list of multiple quality reels for big game fishing. Check out the leading brands and choose one to match your budget.
3. Loosen the drag after cleaning& during storage
When the reel isn’t in use, keep it loose. If you leave it tightened, the compressed pressure may render it ineffective. Therefore, loosening it helps store it under minimal pressure and enhances its durability. Moreover, lightly oil the line rollers, handle knobs, and arm springs using high-grade reel oil.
4. Replace the line
Your fishing line is critical to your fishing success. However, encounters with powerful-hard fighting fish can compromise your line over time. Although there’s no exact time to replace the line, do this often. And this will depend on the fishing water and environment. For instance, if fishing in places full of rocks, dirt, and debris, the line will likely differ abrasions. Therefore, keep watch on the line and replace it when it fades or loses its smooth feel.
5. Adjust the brakes appropriately.
How you adjust the brakes determine the type of cast. You’re likely to make more accurate casts with minimum backlashes. Check for the brake adjustment knob beneath the reel handle and press the spool button. If you adjust this right, the lure will fall to the ground without spool overruns. If the lure falls so fast or is too slow, adjust the brake know accordingly.
A quick wrap up
Maintaining your reel in excellent condition saves a lot of money. However, all fishing reels are different, and understanding what you have goes a long way. To best care for your device, read the manufacturer manual to understand the maintenance steps. Also, consider the ideas mentioned above and enjoy better reel performance.
