Using a freshwater real in salt water

This summer I'm going to do a trip to Fort Bragg . I will be there for 8 days I do not have any saltwater reels and was planning on just taking my freshwater stuff is this a good idea or bad idea ? I have no problem thoroughly cleaning it afterwards. Do any of you guys use your freshwater stuff in the ocean? , any tips would be great or suggestions on a not too expensive spinning 4 baitcast reel

I've used a couple of little Abu 3000 level wind reels for years, they held up fine.
Even landed a 20lb WSB on one years back. I've spooled em with 30lb braid.

I don't have any experience doing this, but if I was planning a similar trip, I'd make an effort to open the reels up in advance and give everything a nice coat of reel grease or corrosion-x as appropriate.  I'd wipe down exterior chrome and metal with some corrosion-x, too.  I'd stick to the plan of a thorough cleaning afterwards, but boarding up the windows before the storm will make that part easier.

I use a cheap ($25) optix 6000 freshwater spinning reel on the ocean all the time.  I've landed a 15# ling on the smaller 4000 version of the same reel.  They last me 2+ years before siezing up, usually.  No special prep, and I often don't even rinse them. 

Maybe don't use your good stuff, but you should be fine.  There's a chance whatever reel you use may eventually corrode down the line, but if you prep it with grease, and are able to fully break it down and clean/oil afterwards...it might not.

Corrosion X damn I didn't even think of that I love that stuff I use it on all my firearms, thanks for the input

No issues using freshwater stuff. This is from fort Bragg a few seasons back. 13 fishing concept reel with 30lb braid and 20lb leader.

I also prefer a freshwater baitcaster for casting swimbaits for halibut.

Clean well and lube afterwards.

In addition to using Corrosion-X, I'd suggest buying some Salt-A-Way and dunking the reels in it when you're done for the day, then rinsing them with warm water.  If you're lazy, like me, carry a Tupperware-like container with a Salt-A-Way solution and drop the reels in it for the drive back from fishing - then you only need to rinse them.

In addition to using Corrosion-X, I'd suggest buying some Salt-A-Way and dunking the reels in it when you're done for the day, then rinsing them with warm water.  If you're lazy, like me, carry a Tupperware-like container with a Salt-A-Way solution and drop the reels in it for the drive back from fishing - then you only need to rinse them.

From my experience, dunking reels seems like it only helps push saltwater and particles deeper into the reel that normally wouldn't have gone that far otherwise. 

No, the Salt-A-Way does most of the work, and it's a procedure recommended by several reel manufacturers - including those making (very) expensive fly reels.

I'm curious how one might think the pressure from running water wouldn't drive particles further into a reel than dunking/soaking ever could.

From my experience, dunking reels seems like it only helps push saltwater and particles deeper into the reel that normally wouldn't have gone that far otherwise. 

In addition to using Corrosion-X, I'd suggest buying some Salt-A-Way and dunking the reels in it when you're done for the day, then rinsing them with warm water.  If you're lazy, like me, carry a Tupperware-like container with a Salt-A-Way solution and drop the reels in it for the drive back from fishing - then you only need to rinse them.

I looked at their website and it seems to indicate that it doesn’t take away grease/oil/etc. what has been your experience with having to lube reels after using salt a way?

In addition to using Corrosion-X, I'd suggest buying some Salt-A-Way and dunking the reels in it when you're done for the day, then rinsing them with warm water.  If you're lazy, like me, carry a Tupperware-like container with a Salt-A-Way solution and drop the reels in it for the drive back from fishing - then you only need to rinse them.

I looked at their website and it seems to indicate that it doesn’t take away grease/oil/etc. what has been your experience with having to lube reels after using salt a way?

I've never used it on reels because I find fresh water rinses to be sufficient, but I have used Salt-A-Way on work boats with a lot of exposed lubricated stuff with no issue.  Whether that's grease on steering gear, linseed oil on woodwork, etc. Salt-A-Way has always been a great way to get that layer of salt off after a snotty day on the water.  My only reluctance to use it on reels and other gear is that I'm a cheap bastard 

I'm curious how one might think the pressure from running water wouldn't drive particles further into a reel than dunking/soaking ever could.

You can't be serious lol.  You really think spraying water will drive water further into a reel than completely submerging it under water??  Are you using a pressure washer?? 

I’ve used a 20 year old shimano curado spooled up with 30lbs braid on an equally old shimano clarus  8’6” bead/floss rod for 90% of my saltwater fishing. Throws Carolina rigs in the surf, trolls cutbaits, and can bottom fish the rocks equally as well. I just give it a quick hose down and it’s good to go

I will second the Abu reels.  They really do well for inshore fishing. Stay away from the made in China ones, they are not going to hold up and besmirch the Abu name.  I flush the crap out of my reels both fresh and salt water to keep them safe.