Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Gentlemen,

First, just let me say that I am not trying to drum up more business,
or scare anyone with this. However, over the past 4-5 months I've been seeing an increased amount of electrolysis(salwater damage) inside more and more reels coming from the valley area.

I've had several discussions with some of the resident anglers, and none of us can put a finger on it, but what I had been seeing is obvious damage caused by saltwater, or at minimum, heavily brackish water. Some of what I had been seeing literally looked like surf perch reels, literally. Then I took in a bunch of reels at ISE and low and behold more really bad ones, and from people I can tell take care of their equipment.

My suspicion is that when the summer flows were low or non-existent we had a substantial incursion of saltwater on high tides, farther in than normal. Guys fished as usual then put their equipment away for a time and now that they are getting ready for the season, we are finding what the saltwater has done.

Anyways, my reason for making this post is just to give everyone a heads up. Check your equipment. Look for obvious signs of any orange stuff (rust).
If you see any there is most likely more inside. Any obvious signs of reels slowing down, another sign. Any grinding or gritty feel, you quessed it.

I suspect that anyone using their equipment regularly will not see as much of this, but those who put their equipment up for a month or more will. One more thing, DO NOT HOSE your reels down. You are forcing what's outside IN. Buy a box of diaper wipes and wipe your reels down. Pull the spools and do the inner race, and spool as well. NO WD40 either.

Anyways, just a heads up! I hope everyone has a great Spring!

Dan

right on dan, thanks for the advise! i tend to hang out in honker and grizzly durring the fall. this year ill try the ol wipe down rather than the the spray....

ALSO;question 4 u; In fresh water, is it bad to submerge ur reel, like to un-snag a bait?? should i blast it with compressed air or anything like that??

thanks


ps waitin to get enough xtra cash to send u some blown up curados

corn griffin wrote:right on dan, thanks for the advise! i tend to hang out in honker and grizzly durring the fall. this year ill try the ol wipe down rather than the the spray....

ALSO;question 4 u; In fresh water, is it bad to submerge ur reel, like to un-snag a bait?? should i blast it with compressed air or anything like that??

thanks


ps waitin to get enough xtra cash to send u some blown up curados

Submerging a reel into water is never a good thing. This tends to imulsify
the lubicants and can cause them to harden over time, then we really see issues. Personally I do not like high pressure air for drying. I would suggest using a hair dryer.

Dan

Thanks for the tip on not to hose down reels. That is what I usually do after fishing The Jetty and Bay up here in Humboldt. ill be sure to take the further steps from now on. thanks Dan!