How to Lubricate Gears & Bearings in a Baitcast Reel

While you're out on the lake, there's little patience for a dry, gummed up baitcasting reel. Over time, reels can become clogged up with dry lubricant and dirt, causing slow, ragged casting and reeling. In a worst case scenario, the dry gears may even snap your fishing line, causing you to lose your biggest catch of the day or a prized lure. Regular cleaning and lubrication can extend the life of your reel and ensure smooth operation for years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper towels
  • Cotton balls
  • Cotton swabs
  • Solvent
  • Reel oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unscrew the top casing of the reel to access the spool assembly. On most units, you'll need to flip out a small turnkey dial on the underside of the reel and rotate it counterclockwise.

    • 2

      Lift out the spool assembly gently and set it on a paper towel. Saturate several cotton balls with a solvent such as rubbing alcohol or acetone. Wipe grease and dirt off the rotating handle situated at the top of the assembly.

    • 3

      Saturate the tip of a cotton swab and gently clean the inner pinion gear of all dried dirt and grease. The pinion gear, which holds the assembly in place within the casing, is located near the bottom center of the assembly.

    • 4

      Find the reel brake collars located on the flat side of the assembly. Saturate several cotton swabs and clean both collars thoroughly. Allow all traces of solvent to evaporate completely. Apply a light drop of reel oil to each brake collar.

    • 5

      Clean the spool shaft that protrudes from the assembly with a cotton ball saturated with solvent. Lubricate the spool bearing just beneath the shaft with a single drop of reel oil.

    • 6

      Wipe clean the brake casing that surrounds the flat side of the spool assembly with a saturated cotton ball. Apply a thin application of reel oil around the casing.

    • 7

      Place the assembly back into the casing, ensuring that it's seated exactly the way it was when you removed it. Replace the top half of the casing and rotate the turnkey dial clockwise to lock it securely.