RPT - Winter Reel Maintenance and Upgrade

I decided to do some annual maintenance on my favorite reel, Okuma Custom Blue 2-Speed Lever Drag Reels - CBV 5NII Narrow.  Once I took it apart, I noticed it would require major service and contacted the manufacturer for assistance.  The Non-Warranty Service Flat Rate is $50 for this reel. This fee includes return shipping, replacement parts (excluding frames or side plates), and a general maintenance service.  I just mailed the reel with a $50 check for service.  I know it is not cheap, but better than potentially damaging it.  Most reel manufacturers perform similar service.

Paul

i think that is a pretty good deal.

i bought a set of Japanese precision screwdriver and sockets.   JIS sizing.  hopefully they fit my reel fasteners better.   YouTube is dangerous.i watched a few videos and i thought to myself, "i can do that". 

i send my freshwater stuff to a guy in Delaware.  about the same money after shipping.

my salt stuff, "i can do that". 

That is a good deal. I should have done that. I just spent $45 ordering parts for my Okuma Komodo and it still doesn’t address the free-spool issue. Plus the hour of time I’ve spent on it so far.

During my first stint in fishing, I had sent reels to Alan Tani for repair/service. His forum was also super useful and I ended up doing a couple of simpler reel services myself, based on the instructions and help on there. That was more than 10 years ago so not sure if he still does that.

During my first stint in fishing, I had sent reels to Alan Tani for repair/service. His forum was also super useful and I ended up doing a couple of simpler reel services myself, based on the instructions and help on there. That was more than 10 years ago so not sure if he still does that.

His forum has a TON of good info on a variety of reels. I actually chatted directly with him about some reels - he offered to look at one for me last year. He is still in the south bay, not sure if he is retired yet or not though.

I serviced 3 reels after my last trip to Sonoma Coast where I noticed my Lexa 300 was not working properly and I had another Lexa 300 that has been very crusty and Piscifun 400 that stopped working after I dropped on the sand. No parts were damaged and all it needed was some cleaning and some oil and grease. They are all smooth now.

This is the first winter in a while that I don’t have any real reel plans. My platoon of Penns is running strong (two #85 Seaboys, a Jigmaster, a Spinfisher, a Long Beach, a Senator, a Baymaster, and a Pursuit) and should only need a touch of grease or oil here and there. The Baymaster I fixed up last year worked nicely for the kiddo.

Although I feel pretty proficient with maintenance and even restoration of Penn conventionals, the confidence isn’t there so much with spinning reels. Maybe I can work on that since my Spinfisher that’s probably fine has been a real workhorse lately and might benefit from new grease on the innards.

Attached a pic of a few. Getting a good deal on eBay for an old Penn that’s in decent condition, taking it apart, cleaning each piece, and greasing it all up for glory can be really satisfying. I particularly love catching fish with a vintage Gliebe fiberglass rod that I replaced the guides on to be braid friendly and pair with an old #85 Seaboy. It has been an extremely reliable setup unless you use a plastic spool or drop it and break a Bakelite side plate, but the little bit of doubt that comes when reeling in something big on vintage gear adds a little extra excitement.

Now that I think about it, I do kinda want a Squidder.

This is the first winter in a while that I don’t have any real reel plans. My platoon of Penns is running strong (two #85 Seaboys, a Jigmaster, a Spinfisher, a Long Beach, a Senator, a Baymaster, and a Pursuit) and should only need a touch of grease or oil here and there. The Baymaster I fixed up last year worked nicely for the kiddo.

Although I feel pretty proficient with maintenance and even restoration of Penn conventionals, the confidence isn’t there so much with spinning reels. Maybe I can work on that since my Spinfisher that’s probably fine has been a real workhorse lately and might benefit from new grease on the innards.

Attached a pic of a few. Getting a good deal on eBay for an old Penn that’s in decent condition, taking it apart, cleaning each piece, and greasing it all up for glory can be really satisfying. I particularly love catching fish with a vintage Gliebe fiberglass rod that I replaced the guides on to be braid friendly and pair with an old #85 Seaboy. It has been an extremely reliable setup unless you use a plastic spool or drop it and break a Bakelite side plate, but the little bit of doubt that comes when reeling in something big on vintage gear adds a little extra excitement.

Now that I think about it, I do kinda want a Squidder.

I absolutely LOVE old Penns.  I fish lefty though - kinda hard to find in left hand, and even harder to find in decent shape in left hand.  I scored a Jigmaster last summer - such an awesome reel.  My favorite is my Baymaster 180 that I converted to left hand - stole parts from a left hand 209 and dremmel'd the plate to get the dog to go the opposite way.  Works like a champ, so smoooooth!

I know it is not cheap, but better than potentially damaging it.  Most reel manufacturers perform similar service.

Paul

It can feel like getting a new reel in return. I’d say it’s worth it.

sounds like a good deal on a fairly complex reel (two speed)

I tried to repair a very old spinning reel, until 'pop' the tiniest of springs launched across the room never to be found.

I have some bigger bait casting....aka bait dropping...reels that I might give a go at - but they only cost $50 new.

I wish there were someone local to bring them too.

can't wait to hear how happy you are when you get the reel back!

see ya,
Brian.

I got my reel back today, and it was like a new reel and was worth $50 for the service.
They REPLACED HIGH/LOW GEAR SETS, SHIFT PIN, SPOOL BEARINGS, PINION BEARING, PINION GUARD BEARING, HANDLE ASSY, CLEANED LUBED AND SERVICED REEL.

I think it would cost me more than $100 to purchase all the replacement parts.

I will test it tomorrow, chasing sanddabs and sols.

Beautiful!

Makes me think of all the hours I spent disassembling, diagnosing, looking up parts, ordering, waiting......week....or so. Cleaning, lubing and eventually reassembling (perhaps two or three times)....good choice Paul.

I don't mind light maintance but I like that my Avet hasn't required anything for years even better.

A thing of beauty. I’ve wasted hours on basic reel maintenance. Hours dealing with the parts situation and the annoyance of waiting weeks for parts. And half the time I don’t even totally fix it right!

$50 to avoid that would be worth it. And a new feeling reel, to boot.

$50 for all. That??!!  Great!