Fishing reels can be a considerable investment, and you want to make sure they last as long as possible. For the best results, make sure you are maintaining them properly. That means cleaning, oiling, and lubricating the bearings on your reel every time you use it. But how do you know when the bearings and drag washers or other frictional surfaces need lubrication? And what’s the difference between oil and grease? We’ll walk you through the best lubricants for fishing reels.
How To Choose A Lubricant For Fishing Reels: Reel Maintenance
Ball bearings on a fishing reel are delicate mechanisms that are designed to rotate under minimal friction. Unfortunately, if you use the wrong lubricant, your reel’s bearings can become clogged and wear out faster than they should. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a suitable lubricant for fishing reels.
Choose A Lubricant For Fishing Reels With A Neutral pH.
When choosing a fishing reel lubricant, the first question you should ask is whether or not it’s the correct pH. Other fishing reels have special coatings on the housing, spool, or line roller that certain chemicals can damage. You should remember this if you plan on using your reel both for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Choose A Penetrative Lubricant For Fishing Reels
Secondly, make sure or not the lubricant is deep penetrating. If you notice that your reel’s drag is exceptionally rough, it could be that the lubricant isn’t penetrating deep enough. In these cases, you can choose a penetrating lubricant that will penetrate deeply into your reel’s bearings.
Choose A Grease Or Oil For Fishing Reels
Finally, make sure that you choose the proper grease or oil for fishing reels. You want to keep in mind a few things when choosing an oil or grease that works well with fishing reels. First, you want to make sure it doesn’t harden too quickly and has a low viscosity (thickness).
Types Of Fishing Reels
Fishermen’s reels can be divided into two types: spinning reel and baitcasting reel. Spin fishing reels are attached to a rod and have a relatively short line, usually between six to thirty feet. Baitcasting reels are mounted directly on the rod, so there is no clicker or check. Instead, the line is controlled utilizing a bail opening and closing to retrieve and release the line. These fishing reels have longer lines, usually between 30 to 100 feet, which gives them an advantage over spin reels when it comes to deep-sea fishing.
Fishing Gear
As well as buying a fishing reel, you’re going to need other gear to make your fishing trip go smoothly. Some of that gear includes:
- Rod cases
- Tackle Box
- Fishing License
- Fishing line
- Lures, plugs, or flies
- Worm Gear Box
- Pinion Gear Box
- Two-Headed screwdriver
- Clenzoil Field & Range Gun Oil Spray Lube
- Bearing Oil Cleaner & Grease Kit
- Extreme Pressure Gun
Several Types Of Oils And Greases For Fishing Reels
There are several types of oils and greases to choose from, but I want to highlight the most common ones:
Plastic Bases Lubricating Oil
These oils are mainly used for fishing reels. Various formulations are available, including mineral oil, silicone oil, synthetic oils, and others. Therefore, they are applicable in various ways. Among these are hydraulic gearbox repair lubrication systems, boat motor repair kits, sewing-machine oil repair kits, etc.
Plastic Bases Lubricating Greases
These are similar to the above in that they are mainly used for fishing reels. However, they are often used for other mechanical parts that have plastic parts. They come in the form of grease or machine oil that is applied. These greases do not usually harden when left exposed to air.
Oil Or Grease For Fishing Reels
Oil or grease is always best for repairing or lubricating mechanical devices, but it depends on the type and quality of oil or grease you purchase before repairing your fishing reel.
Enriched Oil Or Grease For Fishing Reels
Enriched oil or grease is a good choice for fishing reels because people with sensitive skin can use it. It doesn’t come in many different formulations, but fishers mostly use it because you can get it at the local fish market.
Silicon Bases Lubricating Oil
Silicone oil is safe to use with fishing reels because it won’t affect their performance, but you should not use them if they come into contact with any liquid that’s more than about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Different Kinds Of Grease And Oil Used In Fishing Reels
The reel is the device used in fishing to store line and retrieve caught fish. There are three different kinds of oil used in fishing reels: mineral oil, synthetic grease, and water-resistant grease.
- 3-In-1 Multipurpose Oil
- Clenzoil Marine & Tackle Fishing Reel Oil
- CorrosionX Fishing Reel Lubricant
- CorrosionX, PR-4, and PR-5
- CorrosionX PR-6
- Dana Gleason 77 & 79 Gear Oil
- Dana-Spicer Moly Grease
- Donzi Marine Super Lube
- Synthetic Silicon Carbide Grease
- Reel Butter Oil
Parts Needed To Be Lubricated In A Fishing Rod
The Spindle
The spindle connects the brake wheel to the handle, and it should be lubricated using a proper reel lubricant. The spindle is usually located on the bottom of your fishing reel, between the roller bearings.
The Reel Bearings
Two types of fishing reels should have their type of lubricant: those with needle bearings and those that use ball bearings on both sides. You can use grease or oil to lubricate the bearings on your fishing rod. However, avoid applying lubricants to the roller bearings, as it will not work and will only make a mess.
The Roller Bearings
To repair or maintain your reel, you should know which type is used on your reel before repairing or maintaining it. A roller assembly has different sizes, shapes, materials, and coatings (on both sides). There are several kinds of rollers, so you should consult a fishing reel repair guide to check which roller bearings are used on your reel.
The Brake Wheel
The brake wheel controls the gear ratio and the speed of your reel. The brake wheel is the part that spins a line, and it should be lubricated using a proper reel lubricant. Most reels will have the brake wheel located near or on the bottom of the telescopic fishing rod and 2 piece fishing rod.
The Gear Train
The gears of the gear train (also known as “gearbox” or “pinion gear”) should be oiled using synthetic grease. Since there is a large selection of fishing reels, this information may vary widely depending on the model and the make.
The Drag System
Most reels have a drag system made up of some washers made of a metal or plastic material. These are used to keep the line at a certain length and improve your fishing reel’s drag system.
The Handle
The handle is attached to the main shaft and should be lubricated using a proper reel lubricant. In addition, the handle connects the brake wheel to the spool, so lubrication is essential for your carbon fiber and graphite fishing rod to function correctly.
The Spool
The spool is the part of your reel that holds the fishing line. The spool should be lubricated using a proper reel lubricant so you can cast farther without any problems or complications.
The Main Shaft
The main shaft is the part that connects the handle to the drive shaft (the section that sends energy to the crank gear ). Some fishing reels have two shafts, and they are both used to transfer energy from one-rod component to another.
The Drive Shaft
The driveshaft is a fishing reel that transfers energy from the handle to the gear train. This rod component should be lubricated using a proper reel lubricant. Your fishing reels will last longer this way since unnecessary wear is prevented.
Lubrication For Freshwater Fishing Reel
Saltwater, of course, is more corrosive. So if you’re fishing in saltwater, consider using products that will protect the reel from corrosion. You can also use products made specifically for freshwater reels as long as they don’t have any plastic components or if they won’t be coming in contact with salty water. Most fighting reels today are made from metal surfaces and are insulated with plastic, so most people should have no issue.
Thermal Resistance: Reel Oil VS Reel Grease For Fishing Reels
The best way to determine which lubricant is best for your fishing reels is by checking their thermal stability and resistance. Low thermal resistance means that the lubricant will not get destroyed or melt at a specific temperature. Conversely, if the lubricant is not good in high temperatures, then it will start to seep out of your reel and should be avoided at all costs.
Summary
The best lubricants for fishing reels are used in freshwater or grease when used in saltwater fishing reels. Use proper lubes that will not melt at high temperatures. The best rod lubricants are made of silicone and other types of synthetic oils. There are many kinds of fishing reels, so you should consult a fishing reel repair guide to check which rollers bearings are used on your reel. However, any grease or oil with excellent lubricating properties will prevent rust and allow your reel to run smoothly, so choose one that suits your preferences and environment.