Saltwater Gear Upkeep Thread.

Ok, so we are heading down and I am getting my gear ready.
I decide to respool my reels and one was seezed up. So I disassembled the real to find the inner workings rusted. Bummer.

I would rinse them after use but there must be many tips that the forum members have tried in the effort to keep their saltwater gear in working order.

Please share you tips and tricks so those looking for info on this subject have a place to look and get reliable information.

I will start by including something NOT to do. Do NOT spray WD40 in or on any parts that may come into contact with the greased parts.

However a lite spray and wiping on the exterior of the reel can help repel water.
 

Kelney

Guest
If I am shore fishing or in my case swim fishing, my reels spend a considerable amount of time below the surface. They seem to work fine with the rinse and go method but get a little crusty after 3 days or so. Once home I tear them down for a good clean and lube. Lots of youtube videos on breaking them down.
 

YumaJames

Guest
HB, am wondering if the reel you had that seized up was not saltwater rated? Am not sure, but I always assumed salt water rated reels are made of non-corrosive materials and are sealed tighter, therefore do a better job of keeping the salt out of the inner mechanisms. I buy saltwater rated reels, gently rinse them off after each use, spray them down with an anti-corrosive spray bought from the fishing shops, and about once a year disassemble and regrease them. I liked the Pledge tip mentioned in the above video, never heard of that. Manual on one of my current reels states to keep the drag tight when rinsing, keeps water from entering the internal mechanism, then loosen it for storage.

Few months ago bought two electric reels (one good dual speed and one cheaper single speed) with two good deep drop rods, used em a couple times this summer on the closer reefs, but cannot wait till this fall to hit the deeper waters! Am planning on spending a lot of time fishing RP this winter and learning a lot. The electric reels are completely sealed, don't think I'll be able to relube then internally.
 
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playaperro

El Pirata
HB, am wondering if the reel you had that seized up was not saltwater rated? Am not sure, but I always assumed salt water rated reels are made of non-corrosive materials and are sealed tighter, therefore do a better job of keeping the salt out of the inner mechanisms. I buy saltwater rated reels, gently rinse them off after each use, spray them down with an anti-corrosive spray I buy from the fishing shops, and about once a year disassemble and regrease them. I liked the Pledge tip mentioned in the above video, never heard of that. Manual on one of my current reels states to keep the drag tight when rinsing, keeps water from entering the internal mechanism, then loosen it for storage.

Few months ago bought two electric reels (one good dual speed and one cheaper single speed) with two good deep drop rods, used em a couple times this summer on the closer reefs, but cannot wait till this fall to hit the deeper waters! Am planning on spending a lot of time fishing RP this winter and learning a lot. The electric reels are completely sealed, don't think I'll be able to relube then internally.
http://www.sancarlosmexico.com/fishregs.html
 

YumaJames

Guest
Valid point Playaperro. In the 25 years or so I've been going to Mexico off the top of my head I'd say about 3 times I've had to pay off corrupt cops for BS traffic violations I know I did not commit. So I'll just call it even in the end.
 
Ty Playa. I would love to have this thread be a resource that is as current as possible.
Those rules and regulations are over 7 years old.

I am sure Saltwater gear is best, purpose built stuff. I know for a fact that the Pflueger Trion I was using was not sealed. I have gone up a step as a replacement and got the Pflueger President. Sealed. We will see.

And as a main reel I am going to be trying out my new Okuma Avenger ABF "B".
 

YumaJames

Guest
Nice reels, Hillbeartoe! By the way, if all goes as planned I'm gonna be going out fishing a lot this winter, if you ever wanna come out you're more than welcome!
 
Nice reels, Hillbeartoe! By the way, if all goes as planned I'm gonna be going out fishing a lot this winter, if you ever wanna come out you're more than welcome!
Awesome.
We have gone every month this summer! We normally wait for the cooler weather so I am sure we may hook up one of these days.
 
I bought one of the Penn water proof and am looking forward to seeing how it does this fall. I did find out I was was washing it off with to much water pressure.
I may have to tear down when I get back I believe we will be back about Oct 23 this year. That is a long time and I want to be back now !
 
I have a Penn Sargus 4000 that I use from the shore. It does not do well at all with salt water. One single dunk in the water and the crank performance just goes way down and if i dont keep dunking it after that it will basically seize up after a cast and my lure will get caught up in the rocks. Its a great reel when it works but man does it not like the salt water or sand debris that gets down in the crank. Almost have to lube/clean it daily. Always bring a backup rig just incase that is sub par but works. My brothers 20$ wal mart sea tiger shakespear you can bury in the sand overnight and then dig out and it will cast perfectly.
 

Kelney

Guest
I picked up a Wright & McGill Sabalos Spinning Reel earlier this year. They get pretty good reviews about being used and abused and continue ticking without a hitch. I thought, hey that is my kinda shore reel. I was not able to give it a true Kelney test as I used it primarily from a float tube versus my usual swim fishing so it saw minimal to no dunking. I used it pretty hard for a week and it works as good as new with no maintenance so far.
 
YumaJames
I bought the Penn Spinfisher V Liveliner 4500
So far seems great. I used it last year off my Jet sky and it tends to get very wet. I also fish off a inflatable pontoon and then it gets dunked once in a while.
We stay in Plya Del Oro RV Park ,#50, RP all winter. I would love to go fishing with you and help pay for the gas etc. I have poles from light spinning to heavy boat rods.
All my own takel except the very large stuff.
We will be down starting about Oct 26 Send me an E-Mail [email protected]
 
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