Is your fishing reel asking for some maintenance? Or a bit of TLC maybe? Of course it might, if over several fishing trips, it feels as if it is gradually filling up with sand.
After purchasing a new spinning reel, most individuals assume that is it! They tend to think that the reel is continuously going to work similarly to how it did on the initial day of use-needing no user-effort whatsoever. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In reality, they mandate for regular maintenance especially if you want them giving you long-term service.
Maintaining your reels well lubricated and clean guarantees you optimal performance. With proper care and maintenance, you’ll be surprised at how much difference it can make to the overall longevity and performance of your fishing reel.
But how do you do it? What is best to use? How often should you do it? For optimum functioning of your fishing reel, below is the ultimate guide to how best to maintain your valuable piece of equipment.
Jump To:
- 1 WHY USE REEL OIL AND GREASE?
- 2 GREASE FOR GEAR: BEST GEAR GREASE
- 3 WARNING! WHY NOT USE WD-40?
- 4 1. Hot sauce Grease
- 5 2. PENN Reel Grease
- 6 3. Super Lube Anti-Corrosion
- 7 4. Superlube grease
- 8 OIL FOR REEL: BEST OIL FOR FISHING REELS
- 9 1. Hot sauce oil [for bearings]
- 10 2. PENN Reel Oil
- 11 HOW TO LUBRICATE A FISHING REEL?
- 12 HOW TO CLEAN FISHING REEL?
- 13 BEST FISHING REEL CLEANER: PENN ROD AND REEL CLEANER
- 14 CONCLUSION
WHY USE REEL OIL AND GREASE?
Regular lubrication of your fishing reel is important for its effective performance and long-lasting service. What’s more, with the use of quality grease and oil, it keeps all moving parts functioning smoothly and efficiently ultimately minimizing friction which in most cases is the cause of permanent wearing out of the reels. Moreover, it also makes you work both fun and easier to pull off.
But which is the best oil?
GREASE FOR GEAR: BEST GEAR GREASE
Lubrication by grease is ideal for virtually all gear systems either enclosed or open on condition that it works at low speeds. So which is the best grease for the lubrication of your fishing reel?
WARNING! WHY NOT USE WD-40?
Developed in the early 50s by the military, WD-40 was initially formulated as a typical degreaser and rust-prevention solvent to safeguard missile parts. Nonetheless, it quickly gained use a household product after individuals discovered its efficiency in various activities as an agent of rust-prevention and a cleaner. But while it is an accredited de-greaser and amazing for cleaning, WD40 is not recommended for as a lube for fishing reels. Forget what the label says. Not only does it result in a tacky coating on the reel, it removes both the rust protection and lube off your fishing reel hence the recommendation against its use.
1. Hot sauce Grease
If your fishing reels are constantly underperforming, corroded or even wearing off way too easily, then Hot Sauce grease is your sure answer to these problems. If you are tired of relying on unreliable off-the-shelf lubricants and looking for a dependable quality product, then you will be delighted to discover that the manufacturing company has employed the best technology with the finest engineers to come up with a unique formula known as the “Quantum Hot Sauce”.

Only present in standard Quantum products, this lubricant offers exceptional properties not common to other similar products. While typical grease breaks down due to water and heat, the distinctive carrying agents in this product help avert the structural breakdown of this product. Moreover, the super-low Quantum polymers together with specified pacifiers in it hold the lubricant firmly on the surface of application preventing migration off the reel surface.
Finally, the lubricant boasting hydrophobic formulation is able to force water away from the fishing reel as such preventing structural breakdown and corrosion. And with a characteristic bright-red color, you have a simple visual clue as to where the grease is and where it ought to be.
2. PENN Reel Grease
PENN Reel Grease is the complete solution for the optimal performance of your fishing reel. Why? Not only does it feature superior water stability, it also boasts superior lubricity, load-carrying capacity and superior rust protection in comparison to other available greases.

It is particularly formulated to work over huge temperature ranges especially in areas where grease is what is preferred as the lubricant. Moreover, it has been verified and assessed for both durability and quality which is why it is a popular choice for professionals around the globe. Made using the finest quality elements and available in a standard 2-ounce tub, it boasts of advanced technology that ensures excellent thermal resistance and superb oxidation.
3. Super Lube Anti-Corrosion
Boost the productivity and lifetime of your fishing reel with the Super Lube Anti-corrosion lubricant. This product is specially formulated to serve as a typical corrosion inhibitor and a characteristic dielectric compound. It is a standard connector lube with high molecular weight.

It is ideal for electric terminals, connectors and plugs, coil connectors and spark plugs. What’s better, it boasts a characteristic oxidation barrier that is superior and exceptional.
4. Superlube grease

A patented NLGI synthetic product, Super Lube Grease is a multipurpose heavy-duty lubricant boasted with PTFE. The incorporation of PTFE micro powders and base fluids (synthetic) blends perfectly to create a premium grade lubricant which offers longer life guard against wear, friction, corrosion, and rust.
Not only do the fishing reels last longer, but so is the downtime significantly minimized and productivity boosted. This lube is well-suited with most lubricant brands and will neither drip, evaporate run nor even form sticky deposits. Moreover, it does not separate or melts.
Besides also boasting incredible NSF ratings, this lube is surprisingly safe for subsidiary food contact. It is dielectric, clean and food grade. Finally, it is not only safe relative to portable water; it is also impervious especially to typical salt water.
OIL FOR REEL: BEST OIL FOR FISHING REELS
1. Hot sauce oil [for bearings]

If you are looking to give your fishing reel the best lubrication, then the Hot sauce oil by Quantum is among the finest products in the market. It is packed with exceptional qualities other conventional reel oils miss and works effectively to give your reel smooth and easy functioning. Low levels of viscosity result in freer moving parts rotation. With its unique formulation, the oil has an exhibits strong molecular bonds with typical base metals.
Hot sauce oil boasts exceptionally low friction polymers and blended with exclusive tackifiers, the oil holds firmly on the applied parts preventing migrations especially in the drags and gears.
2. PENN Reel Oil
Assessed for both durability and quality, PENN reel oil is the ideal lubrication for any moving part including fishing reels. It boasts a superior lubricity, load-carrying capacity, water stability and rust protection in comparison to other conventional grease lubricants. Its synthetic capacity makes it an ideal lubricant for moving parts which explains its popularity with numerous professionals across the globe.

Formulated by using only the finest quality ingredients, this product is designed to guarantee optimal lubrication protection for your reel against rust and corrosion.
With this oil, you can sit and expect smoother operation with better and better results for smoother retrieval and longer casting. This combo pack comes equipped with a 0.5-ounce oil bottle and a 1-ounce grease tub of grease with 6 items per pack.
HOW TO LUBRICATE A FISHING REEL?
Periodically, cleaning and lubricating your spinning reel is necessary. Whether because of frequent use, dirt accumulation of long-stay without usage,
Cleaning your fishing reel carries significant importance especially if you want it to last longer and give you quality service. With minimal time investment and several easily accessible supplies, you can properly and easily lubricate and clean your reel.
So how do you do it?
Flick a finger on your fishing reel to evaluate how freely the reel spins. With just a flick, the spool should freely spin approximately eight times, and 12 times for Baitcasting reels. If it fells somewhat slow, then lubrication is indeed required.
Steps:
- Remove the characteristic line spool of your fishing reel since some lubricant may weaken the monofilament making it brittle.
- Using the user manuals that accompanied your reel, disassemble your reel. Nonetheless, most reels generally disassemble by removing the reel cover and crank handle under counter-clockwise turns.
- Apply the fishing reel lubricant by placing applying drops on the gear drag mechanism, ball bearings, the crank assembly and the line spool’s steel spindle.
- Note: Ensure you don’t over-lubricate your reel.
- Reassemble your reel in a simple reversal order of how you initially removed the individual parts, Reattach its line spool then test your reel for smooth fluid movement.
Items you need:
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Pocket knife
HOW TO CLEAN FISHING REEL?
With respect to materials and design, fishing reels continue to undergo diverse changes and transformations. Modern reels now use titanium, high-strength steels and aluminum alloys. Nonetheless, mud, dirt, sand, and salt have not changed! Which right through the years, continue to damage numerous reels until they are completely unusable. To avoid this, you need to effectively and regularly clean your fishing reel. How do you do it?
Items You Will Need:
Rags Cotton tip applicator Soft bristle brush Multipurpose oil Synthetic oil
Step 1: Organize all your cleaning items. Spread out a rag on your working surface not only for protection but also for a secure place that holds small parts and screws. You will need ample lighting to aid you when removing small parts while also respecting inner reel workings.
Step 2: Wipe down your fishing reel exterior thoroughly using a damp piece of clothing. Work it over virtually all small areas so as to ensure you eradicate as much mud, dust or even debris as you can. For the more stubborn areas where the rag cannot easily get, use the brush with the soft bristle to eradicate the debris.
Step 3: Remove your reel spool and depending on your particular reel type whether casting or spinning, it will generally mandate for the removal of a standard retaining screw. Refer to the accompanying user manual to get a specific insight of precise details especially with respect to the front part of your spool. Why? Since this is where most debris accumulates.
Step 4: Remove the handle off your fishing reel. Again, with respect to your reel type, the process may be from the simple turning of its handle in opposite direction or even removing a simple retaining screw.
On removing the handle, use a typical cotton tip accumulator in order to eradicate the debris from your reel body opening. Wipe the debris off the threads of the reel handle. Apply a thin coat of the cleaning oil to these threads.
Step 5: Access the reel gears. Depending on your fishing reel, you can either simply remove the spool for fly reels or remove a standard screw for casting and spinning reels to access the interior components. On getting there, use a standard applicator-cotton tip to remove accumulated dust and debris and old oil and grease accumulations. Follow this by applying a thin synthetic oil (lubrication) coat and reassemble.
Step 6: Reassemble your reel, ensuring each component is back where it should be. Spray your entire reel with a light multipurpose oil coat. Using a small cloth piece, wipe down your reel so as to work the oil into all parts. This eradicates excess oil off your reel. With a final coating, you can help avert formation of rust and you have an added protection layer from elements as you go for your fishing expedition.
BEST FISHING REEL CLEANER: PENN ROD AND REEL CLEANER
Ever wonder how you can make your fishing reel stain free? The Penn Rod and Reel Cleaner rids of the reel of grime and dirt off your reel and rod surfaces helping restore it to its original finish. With this cleaner, you can also avert corrosion and subsequently get rid of salt build-up.
Apply this cleaner prior to lubrication to ensure your gear looks amazing and functions effectively as it should be. It also works amazingly on knives, pliers, and even boat trailers not to mention standard fishing reels.
Tips & Warnings
- When using lubricants, ensure that you do it under spaces that are properly ventilated and off open flames.
- After every fishing expedition, ensure that fishing reels used in typical salt water are rinsed with clean water. Spray it with typical multipurpose oil in order to inhibit the formation of rust. Moreover, you will additionally need to clean it and lubricate spool gears and gears more often because of the rinsing.
CONCLUSION
Give good care to your equipment and your equipment will, of course, take care of you. While this idea sounds simple, it does mandate for some effort investment in order to maintain your fishing reel in proper working order. Most fishing veterans will attest to this because they have learned it the hard way through experience.
While most anglers perform their reel maintenance process during off-season winter, you should, however, performance your maintenance anytime you feel your equipment is hindering your fishing expedition efforts.
Fishing reels take significant abuse particularly if you are fishing for smallmouth bass or trout. Moreover, by dipping it in freshwater, it also removes valuable grease and oil replacing it with hard crud. Do you need to keep your fishing reel in perfect working condition? With this ultimate guide of fishing reel lubrication, never again will you complain of impaired productivity or reduced fishing reel lifespan.