protecting your investment in a fishing reel

Gotta agree with you J on my reels bigger than a 5500 I grease everything and pack the guts with grease on reels that I cast with I still pack the guts an oil the spool bearings. Makes the reels a little stiff at first but they loosen up quick. On the lighter reels that I oil I just take the spool out and oil after each trip. I know I risk trapping some saltwater but if I think it got too wet I pull it apart. Don't really need to cast(salt) too far in a kayak anyway.

Gotta agree with you J on my reels bigger than a 5500 I grease everything and pack the guts with grease on reels that I cast with I still pack the guts an oil the spool bearings. Makes the reels a little stiff at first but they loosen up quick. On the lighter reels that I oil I just take the spool out and oil after each trip. I know I risk trapping some saltwater but if I think it got too wet I pull it apart. Don't really need to cast(salt) too far in a kayak anyway.

I have cast a 5501 with the level wind removed with stuart's 13.5' super-perching-cannon. it had greased bearings. I got some serious flight time. I was deeeeep into the spool after a cast with 20lb mono. down to the braid backing. So I know you can cast far. and like I said, I was playing with a 3/8 oz plastic practice plug and a newell 220 with some 12lb mono and greased bearings and nailing the neighbors cat without too much difficulty so I think you can cast a bigger reel with some light weight okay too.

I do think that cold weather or long disuse might mess with grease more than oil.  but this is california!