Storing Reels for the Winter

[rrw4258]

I was thinking about taking my reels of the rods for the winter and storing them inside. Or will they be fine out in the colder areas (garage)? Thanks

Ryan

[Rebbasser]

I'd store them inside, but the main thing to do is loosen the drags if they are going to be stored for a long time-keeps the drag washer from taking a "set".

[JB]

I clean and lub mine for winter and keep them indoors, away from sunlight.
Main reason for that is to keep the line fresh, but I'll put new line on
in the spring anyways lol
Reb, thanks for the tip on the drag, I never knew that!

[lovinfishin9]

Ya i never knew that about the drag either

[zooker]

also strip the reels of mono it will be easier to take off now instead of next spring.

zooker

[bass kicker]

I knew about the drag thing i read it in an agu catalog but i would clean with spring water and then lube them (I heard the clorine in tap water can damage the bearings in the reel)

[Rebbasser]

I just recently found that out about the drag myself. As we were packing up my buddy was loosening his drag so I asked him about it. He said the drag washer can stay compressed if you keep it tight over time and cause it to fail.

[bass kicker]

did you ever hear about the spring water

[bass kicker]

hey Reb how is the bass fishin in texas around now

[Rebbasser]

Pretty good, bk. The lakes haven't cooled down real fast-last week I went and the air temp was 38 but the water temp was 67. They are chasing shad getting fat for the winter.

Regarding cleaning reels-on the recommendation of a lot of folks I tried Simple Green and it works great, plus there are no harsh chemicals to damage any of the parts.

[454ss]

Yea i just store mine in my room in the corner whenever im not fishin but i still fish year around but keep them inside from sand,gettin stolen............

[River stumps]

In my spare time. And believe me, I have alot of spare time. I will take the reels apart, strip them of old line, give them a good cleaning, use some good quantum hot sauce oil and grease bearings and all parts. Clean all rods. Store them on racks in garrage..I will go through all my baits and change all the hooks that I think might need changing..Put new skirts on baits. I will do a ton of things while I'm waiting for spring.... Reb, thanks for the tip on backing of on the drag..

[seaphantom]

Whoa Reb, water temp here's 51 degrees.

I want to go to Texas... what part do you live in?


seaphantom

[Christopherkeene9]

I wouldn't use spring water but distilled water. Also a saltwater guide told me to once it was cleaned to wipe everything down with lemon pledge so that the water beaded and ran off.

Chris

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by seaphantom

Whoa Reb, water temp here's 51 degrees.

I want to go to Texas... what part do you live in?


seaphantom

San Antonio. We have had some cold weather(at least for here) in the last week, so I would imagine the water temp has dropped a bit. Won't be able to get out until Saturday so we'll see where it is then.

[zooker]

ck
lemon pledge is nothing more than spray wax .i use it to wax my gel coat on my boat..

zooker

[Mac3]

Be sure to release the pressure on the reel seat if storing in the cold......a lot of the rods feature a composite reel seat that will definitely crack due to the difference in expansion/contraction between it and the metal foot on the reel.
Just loosen it enough to be able to wiggle the reel freely and you will be OK.

[rrw4258]

Will a cardborad box in the house be alright or do i need some kind of special case?

[Joe_S.]

I remove all unused reels from there rods, strip the line completey off, wipe down all parts with a rag and warm water, will use a Q tip to get in hard to reach places, grease, oil and loosen drags. My uncle is a big crown royal drinker and always gave me the empty soft bags so once cleaned they each get there own bag, then get put into a plastic closable container.

[bass kicker]

Thanx for the tip with simple green i have never herd of that before