5 Must Know Reel Cleaning Tips!

Give these 5 reel cleaning tips a try to bring your fishing reels back to life!
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@williamsmith1774]

Maybe you could film the process of a reel cleaning. I would like to see how you do it rather than just have tips. Thanks for all your great videos and keep up the good work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the idea!

[@paulroach8626]

To add to keeping track of where things go when taking apart a reel. Take pictures with your phone as you take things off so you know where they go when it's time to put them back.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good idea!

[@grandwonder5858]

Matt, I’ve learned more about cleaning reels with your 9 minute videos than the 10+ years of watching the “professional” reel cleaners on KZbin! None of those guys gives me any valuable information that I could use to clean my reels like you do! They simply take reels apart and put the parts back together after wiping the parts clean and they usually do it in dimly lit light and too far off from the camera for me to clearly see everything! In fact, I learned more from watching two minutes of your video than the 100+ videos that I have watched over the years! This is by far your best video ever! Maybe you could do a video on cleaning a spinning reel as well as a baitcaster reel in the future? Thanks bro!

[@MattStefanFishing]

im glad you enjoyed it!

[@markpousard4393]

Great tips! Now let's see one on what to clean and where to oil/grease. Never cleaned a reel before.

[@MattStefanFishing]

its on my video list!

[@itllkeal]

Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@johntovar2805]

Great advice, and perfect timing! I'm a firm believer that if you take care of your equipment then it will last you for years of fishing enjoyment. Keep on putting out the quality content that you provide. You and your family have a blessed holidays.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@Garminrules]

Matt, great topic overlooked by so many....dirt is our enemy for sure....thanks for reminder.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Dirt is nasty on reels!

[@markmorse8038]

Lots of good tips. Unfortunately did my reels the day before watching 😂. May or may not have spent a few minutes looking for a tiny piece in the carpet that went flying.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha! it happens!

[@geneborowsky3031]

Great advice on your number system far as taking apart and putting back together Matt I appreciate it very much

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help

[@richardbossman9875]

My technique for keeping parts in order is twofold, I lay everything out as if I was looking at an exploded view, usually in line with each other if they all are assembled along a shaft ( like the handle, star drag, various washers and bearings). I lay anything that has a particular way that it faces so it lays in the same orientation as it is assembled ( for instance some washers/spacers behind the drag star on a bait caster are cupped and they are cupped in one direction each one when assembled). I also take pictures and even video when I open reels up or take off side plates to have something to refer back to if anything gets out of order when cleaning.

[@richardbossman9875]

I also am very sure to never get oils or grease on the drag washer stack.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tips!

[@peterhing3608]

This is a really good video Matt and one that I agree with another follower that I would love to see you do a hands on cleaning of your baitcasters and your spinning reels. I have watched so many videos on how to clean your reels and there are some really bad one's where they put oil all over the drag system?? That was pretty crazy. I am a total believer in taking care of your gear be it your fishing equipment, your car, truck, SUV etc the correct way so you can enjoy them for years to come which will save some money down the road with costlier repairs, etc. Love the key phase of "grease your gears and oil your bearing's" and not too much. Thanks again Matt as my plan was to go over all my reels over the holidays. Also love the cookie pan and numbered box to keep track of all the small parts. Awesome! 😀

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@johnrayner5599]

Very timely advice on this one, its that time of year. On my bearings I have been using Lucas Reel oil for my bearings and handles and it works and lasts all year.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ive heard its good stuff

[@everythingoutdoors-vl9bl]

Baking sheet or a mechanics bowl are clutch!!! Merry Christmas matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy holidays!

[@kibscott6096]

Great advice, and I really like the sectioned tackle tray idea, and a dab will do it, now I think I need to do a maintenance check/cleaning myself. Great video Matt thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@Cornelius798]

Thanks, Matt 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@kurtdikkers7659]

I really appreciate companies that have reel schematics available for download. I’m braver doing a reel cleaning with a schematic on my tablet.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video!!! Thanks for sharing those great cleaning tips and advice!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you! You too!

[@coleb6474]

Thanks for this one Matt. These tips are VERY helpful. 😃

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@richardblake4777]

Very timely Matt, I've also used pressurized air to get foreign matter out of the pawl area on baitcasters. Thanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@jamesbarron1202]

I run oil on my stainless worm gears where the pawl grove is but grease on the brass worm drive gear inside the side plate. I think grease on that exposed stainless worm gear collects grit more than oil.

[@jim8537]

Very good tips!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you think so!

[@basstex6703]

Great tips

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@kennethshenkel1968]

Try setting a magnet on the baking tray next to where you're going to keep the screws (if the tray is magnetic), it'll keep the springs and screws from rolling away

[@MattStefanFishing]

good idea!

[@jonathanhardin8075]

The little tackle box idea is brilliant

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@LowBrowFishing]

Reel maintenance is something I need to do on a more regular basis. I like to use 3-in-1 machine oil on my baitcaster handles and spool. A few drops will do you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

the reels will like you for the bath!

[@MrFishBlood]

Thanks for the tip on new reels with advanced materials that may not be compatible with certain lubricants... I bought a Shimano Vanford reel this year, not sure if it's got any of those materials, but I'm going to find out before I lube it! Thanks for potentially saving me a bunch of headache!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it helped

[@barefootgrl]

that number box system is a great idea thanks for sharing merry christmas to you and your family

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy holidays!

[@williamknight5142]

Water pik great tip. A phone is handy to take pics or a video helped me when working on anything.👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@JohnRobertson870]

Solid solid video, especially the water pik tidbit. Have you looked into an Ultrasonic cleaner? Or if you have thoughts on using one of those for a super deep cleaning?

[@MattStefanFishing]

probably a good idea!

[@FanOfLiberty1776]

There’s a KZbin channel called “2nd Chance Tackle,” it’s additionally the name of this fella’s business. He’s been taking care of servicing and repairing reels for a long time. He makes videos of himself taking apart and servicing reels and obviously putting them back together, in all of their meticulous detail (or simplicity). Dennis, is his name and his business is a lot of saltwater reels but he also does freshwater reels. It’s one of my favorite KZbin channels LoL, it’s quite relaxing viewing. Anyway, if you’re inclined to take your reels apart and serve them, you may find Dennis’s channel interesting. In addition to Matt’s advice here, Dennis makes videos of the process to help remember how to put them back together. Also, he’ll go online and try to get the schematic of the reel to have a view of the sequence of the parts. And, he recommends only using grease and oils that are made for fishing reels, because not all lubricants are made for the same things.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ill check it out!

[@bigmoemedina313]

Thanks so much for such great advice, we really appreciate what you do for us Matt. I see a Huge Rapala Minnow in the background, it's that for display only or for catching Great Whites?? 😂😂 Keep those videos coming, Love watching them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

just display!

[@terrytresemer2864]

All very sound tips and tricks. Decades ago I had a tray like what you would find in a high school or collage lunch room. It worked great till the wife got into hobbies. The box is great too.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@davidcrump2348]

I use WD-40 with the red spryer tube to clean inside and outside. Then I will oil the parts that are supposed to be oiled and grease the parts that need lube. I have to keep a bright light and magnet to keep from losing parts.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@rvfishingyet]

I gotta get on the reel cleaning. Really solid point about some reel materials not needing/reacting poorly to grease/oils. Is there an easier way to know vice contacting the general emails of the manufacturers? Is it obviously noted in online documentation/manuals?

[@MattStefanFishing]

most companies have it on their website

[@davidcrump2348]

Properly keeping reels clean helps make them last much longer. I just got rid of a Lew’s bb-1ng that I purchased the year after David Fritz won his classic using one. I used it for crankbaits but never been big on crankbaits but I also love using it for Carolina rigs also! I always slow down when I use a Carolina rig. I also use a much shorter leader than most. I only use up to about a 2’ leader. Most times 16”- 18”.

[@MattStefanFishing]

cleaning them is important!

[@natekubilis6334]

Ardent make junk reels but they make a sweet reel cleaning kit with a reel degreaser oil for the bearings and grease for the gears, they also come with synthetic q tips which are awesome and don’t chance a regular q tip breaking apart in your reel and even a tooth brush to scrub off they grime that builds up, I also like using the degreaser spray on my rods as well I spray a little on a micro fiber cloth and wipe my rods down with that and q tip some armorall on the inside of my guides on my rods as well

[@MattStefanFishing]

t6hanks for sharing!

[@greenpighunter6930]

Excellent. Egg cartoon works for holding parts in the order of disassembly/assembly. Matt do you use aftermarket bearings?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes it does!

[@stevencochran4274]

Yep I’ve definitely dropped a part on the floor…. Where the flashlight n start crawling around

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@HaikKhosrovian]

Hi I have a metal spool with nylon line wrapped around it. Does washing the spool and line with dishwashing liquid or shampoo and draining it with water damage the nylon line?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I wouldn’t think it would help it at all just damage it

[@bassmedic]

is there any difference between the bait caster and spinning reel grease?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I dont believe so

[@Choffa09]

I like to break down my reels completely and put the parts in an ultra sonic cleaner Also I use a tiny paint brush to coat my gears with grease

[@MattStefanFishing]

SOunds good!

[@jimmcculloch5825]

Good tips. How about something on how far to dis-assemble a reel and how to clean it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great suggestion!

[@brianprice7645]

Can always take a couple of pictures as you're doing it just in case you get confused

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip!

[@toddg.2638]

I found that Diawa reels tend to come rather dry from the factory, so I had to lube my Tatula from the get go.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats a bummer

[@mikecollett8513]

Like the cookie sheet. I use a towel to keep thing from rolling and in sub assembly order for re assembly. Now I'll add a cookie sheet to the system. A simple tip is to use the same brand oil and grease so they play well together. Less is more, the grease can dull or bog down the smoothness. The proprietary lubes you were speaking about is like the Daiwa Mag Seal (magnetically altered oil) Regular oil degrades it's effectiveness. I'm pretty sure you have to send your reels in for a factory clean, refurbish, and reapplication of this substance. Just decided Not to by a Fuego LT because i did not want to have to use this service. It was only about a hundred bucks for that reel. Do your research.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip!

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

Get a magnetic tray, and mark up some masking tape. Works gloriously

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip!

[@davidcrump2348]

I also use tooth paste and baking soda to clean the rod handles. I also like to clean the rod and eyes also

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip!

[@eddieboswell6068]

Can you put the whole reel in the dishwasher to clean the dirt off before you take them apart?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Im not that brave

[@eddieboswell6068]

I will take your advice and use a water pick, don’t want to mess up my nice reels. Thanks

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt. It’s that time of year…unfortunately.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep! Grab a brewski and the reel cleaning supplies

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

@@MattStefanFishing🍺I do one of your recommendations daily.🤠

[@clintperry799]

👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@clintperry799]

@@MattStefanFishing Matt you have always been good at responding to your viewers , 👍 up and thanks for your help ! We appreciate you !

[@mikeeller557]

The best advice: Read the cleaning directions. Never grease or oil spool bearings. Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great tip!

[@jasonjordan1548]

I thought I was the only one who used a baking sheet

[@MattStefanFishing]

They work so good!

[@shaunbaard]

I feel like you would be able to do a great Goofy impression.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@raynaldosoliz6755]

good stuff

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@davidgerdes1815]

Wat

[@travisbruno1988]

Great vid and tips i clean my reels alot because i go from fresh to saltwater fishing during the week and salt will destroy everything. So i spray it all down with mist on hose and the clean the insides with alcohol and a q tip or rag..then i spray a light spray reel magic on the reel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@walteroquinn757]

Use a penn and you don't have to clean it it keeps on fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@erk678]

WD40

[@MattStefanFishing]

works on everything!

[@williamfaragher3671]

PING....

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@marktapley7571]

Should have broken down a typical spinning reel as would normally be done in the usual cleaning procedure, while talking. Would have been much more informative.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the tip

[@alapetiseui2243]

This was all basic stuff. Not really helpful. That’s just me thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

ok

[@johnnyarcade7295]

Get a magnetic tray and you can set your parts out in order without them moving on you

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip!