Mark,
Generally, a once a year cleaning and lubing is sufficient but there are other factors that need to be considered. Rain, sand, dirt, brackish water, etc., are all elements that directly affect your reels performance and will determine the frequency of cleaning and lubing. Also, the type of grease and oil that is used on your reels will have an influence on how it functions.
Example: All bait casting reels come packed with grease in the bearings from the factory. Manufacturers do this for a couple of reasons: (1) smooth and silent operation, (2) longer duration between cleanings, (3) improve the longevity of the bearings. Unfortunately, the problem with “greased bearings” is they inhibit your reel from attaining the casting DISTANCE it was meant to achieve. If you expect top performance from your reels, bearings need to be thoroughly flushed from all remaining grease and be coated with a super fast and light oil such as Yellow Rocket Fuel. You will see a major improvement in casting distance BUT you will have to oil the bearings on every two or three outings for proper maintenance….a hassle for many people, unless you have the ability to take your reels apart.
These are just some guidelines that are necessary for proper reel maintenance/operation. Most services charge approximately $12.00 per reel for routine maintenance. However, additional charges apply for any worn out or broken parts that need to be replaced.
Ronnie
