Wet Reels

[Langer]

So after fishing a tx pretty much all day in the rain I now have wet reels. Whats the best way to dry them out so I dont encounter issues done the road.

[fishon1219]

You must take them out again today and use them. If it rains today take them out again and use them. You have to keep using them until they dry out. Just a suggestion.

The reel_man may have an answer for you.

[motocross269]

Your reels should be fine...I just let them dry off well and wipe them down.  The ticket is to get them serviced once a year or so, that way you know the oil and grease is fresh.  
Water really isn't the reel's enemy as much as dirt and sand.

[Langer]

Im going to use them again tomorrow, does that count? 

[dartag]

i'm heading to cass right now i am sure i will need the same advice tomorrow.  won't be able to use them till wed.  Kev has all the answers,,, thats why he is Lola's hero

[REEL_MAN]

I love these answers, fish till they're dry  and fish some more just to make sure. Most top shelf reels are tight enough that not a lot of water get in them and should be ok. Moto is right that dirt is bad but when you get dirt and water together the problem is alot worse. The dirt holds the water and slows the drying process, thus you get rust forming in the bearings. Some reels don't use stainless parts, they will corrode and rust.
If you can't get out and fish'm dry take them out of the rod locker and at least hand dry the best you can and then put a fan on them.
You need to make sure that your reels are cleaned and lubed on a regular basis.

REEL_MAN

[Dan]

Been waiting for the definitive answer from "da man." I've seen guys dunk their reels because they think it helps??? I usually don't ask these guys for financial planning help .

[BASS FISHERMAN]

i will tell yous when me reals startin squeelin durin the cast i no its time to dunk them 
i well take an dunk thems in the lake an hold thems undur the watur till the bubblies stop cummin out 
the squeelin is stop fur the day 
wet reals are a way of life fur me an thay lass an lass as i has sume reals frum bak in the 70s still in use 
reals bein wet dont madder at all,dont worrie 

PRO CRAFT BOAT RULE 

[dartag]

thought about this post last night and chuckled,   i was out on cass and the deck of my boat had about  a 1/2 inch of water on it. the step looked like niagra falls,  must have rained an inch in 5 minutes.  let them sit in the garage to dry, sprayed my reels with wd40 and put them in the locker.  tomorrow they are back to cass for some sun and fun. ahh the life of a fishing reel.   may take my boat a month to dry out.

[REEL_MAN]

Dartag- One of the WORST things you can spray on a reel is WD40. It has a tendency to attack some plastics and grafite composits.  I recommend that you clean them ASAP. It also carriers a scent that can transfer to your hands then to the lure - NOT GOOD. Always use a good reel oil then your good to go even in the rain.

REEL_MAN

[Slipkey]

Just to add a note to the discussion: Some Shimano baitcasters use a felt-like substance (not sure of the exact material) for the drag washer.  On Chronarchs and below manufactured between 1994 - 2001 (newer versions may be different), if the reel is submerged long enough for the drag washer to get soaked, you should back the drag off all of the way while the reels dry. 

If the drag is tightened down while it's drying, the material packs very tightly and becomes slick the next time you pull out any line against it.  Leaving the drag tight while drying may give you a surprise the next time you set the hook on a big fish and start stripping drag.

The only fix I've found for this is to either replace the drag washer or submerge the reel again with the drag loosened and let it dry.

[BASS FISHERMAN]

i brings all me reals undur the watur long enuff till the bubblies stop cummin out then i no thay has had enuff 
as far as drag on thems i donot evin use drag 
i tightin the drag up as tite as they can get and then juss use heavie pound test6 line so she will not brake undur the battle of the fish 
allways wurked fur me 

TIDE CRAFT BOAT RULE 

SHIMANO REEL RULE 

MINNE KODA TROLL MOTUR RULE 

SPINNERS BAIT RULE 

DARE DEVALES RULE 

[dartag]

thanks reelman didn't know that about WD40.   i wiped them down and they are out in the boat honking the horn now.  off to cass lake in the sun..

[Dropshot]

REEL_MAN
Any recommendation on oil or grease for reels ?

[dashaver63]

I've been using this stuff called Marvo Mystery Oil for as long as I can remember, usually twice a year.

[Ryan]

I have been using the Hot Sauce Reel Oil and Hot Sauce Reel Grease on my reels and it seems to work well for me.  I haven't had any issues with it and it is made by Quantum so I figure it must be pretty good.

A little goes a long ways though so I try to use it sparingly.

-Ryan

[REEL_MAN]

Ryan really summed it up :

A little goes a long ways though so I try to use it sparingly.

Sparingly is the key. When I was with Quantum one of the Tech's had a "special" blend of oil that I still use on my own reels today (not much left though). It appears as if the hot sauce oil is similar. Not sure about the gease though, it appears that it may thicken over time, I'm still watching it. For now I use The ABU Garcia grease, it stays in place and "a little goes along way". Oil, a good reel oil not WD40, gun oil, lower unit oil (yes I've seen it among other things).
One of the key places to keep oiled is the level wind on bait casters. It is constantly exposed to water. I keep a small bottle of oil in the boat and place a drop often to keep it lubed. A little silicone based grease (gracia) helps to hold the oil) It is the easiest places to get to since it is exposed. Just turn the reel over and look, if it appeares to be dry give it a drop.
Marvo Mistery oil never heard of it, but if you have used it for years it and your pleased, use it.  Where do you get it? I'd like to try it to see how it holds up.  Might be the greatest thing since "bass fisherman" catching texas small mouth with his zebko 202's

REEL_MAN

[dartag]

another drawback to WD40 was all i caught were 14 1/4 inch bass last night at Cass.  must have been the oil,  not my fishing.

isn't Marvo Mystry Oil the stuff that climbs out of the can if you leave the cap off.  i am old and remember that stuff for my motorcycle cables along time ago.  worked great back then

[bshaner]

I read on another forum from a very reputable Reel Mech that the Hot Sauce is not the best stuff to use.  The red dye in it seperates from the oil pretty rapidly... I do not recall off hand what the consequences of that were but it wasnt great.

B

[Cheetam]

I be luvin' me some yellow rocket fuel...good stuff.