How To Oil A Baitcasting Reel?- Lubricate Your Baitcaster

Many people like fishing as their hobby. During the summer holidays, people would go fishing and make their favorite pastimes. But some people are professionals in this field. Besides having various types of fishing to choose from, many anglers or fishers use multiple casting angles.

Spin casting and baitcasting are the most common casting methods for fishing. The baitcasting reel is available on the top of the fishing rod. Unlike spin cast reel, where the spool is perpendicular to the rod, baitcasting keeps the spool parallel.  

It is essential to take care of the reel. Every angler should be able to repair and maintain the fishing reels. Maintenance is critical to make your fishing reel last longer and work properly. Oiling a baitcasting fishing reel keeps your reel away from damage. It increases its efficiency and durability. In this article, we will cover the step-by-step guide to oil a baitcasting fishing reel.

You can also read, our latest article to find your best oil for baitcasting reels here.

The Reasons Behind: Oil or Lubricate A Baitcasting Reel

The primary reason behind oiling your reel is to increase its life.

• When you oil a reel, it lasts longer compared to the one that never gets oiling.
• Oil also helps in the smooth functioning of the reel resulting in faster retrievals.
• Retrieving and casting the line can cause friction. Hence, oil prevents corrosion and rusting.

What are the things you need to oil a baitcasting fishing reel?

For the cleaning process, you would need the below items:

1. Reel oil
2. Small brush
3. Some cotton swabs
4. A clean piece of cloth
5. Cleaning solvent (A mixture of warm and liquid soap)
6. Lastly, your baitcasting reel.

Step by step guideline: How to oil a baitcasting reel

The first and most crucial step is to identify whether your fishing reel needs oiling or not. To start with, you need to flick the reel. If you notice spins less than 12 times from the flick of your finger, it is an indication that you need to oil/lubricate your fishing reel. But the question is, how? Read below.

• Choose your workspace. It should be a well-lit spot. Keep a dirt free cloth on the surface.
• Prepare a solution of warm soapy water. Use it to clean the exterior of the reel with a brush. This process will remove all the dirt. Make sure to target the bail link points and line roller.
• Slowly unscrew the retainer cap and take off the spool. Apply the soapy water solution to the cap and inside the spool, including the exposed areas. Make sure to get rid of dirt or extra oil from the reel. Pro tip: Always store the screws in a safe place if you want to lose them.
• Proceed with applying a small amount of drops of the reel inside the gears and the main shaft. Once it is done, assemble the spool reverse and close the retainer cap.
• The next step includes oiling the reel handle and body. Take away the screw cap and unscrew the handle to remove it. Clean the bearing from dirt and debris. Take the oil and use one drop for each of the bearings, including the joints on the handle.
• Reassemble all the parts. To finish off, wipe the whole reel body with the oil. This step is necessary as it will put in a coating of shield and bead off the water.

Some of the best reel oils

There are a lot of oils available in the market for baitcasting fishing reel. To avoid confusion, we’ve listed down the top five-reel oils.

• PENN reel oil
• Liberty oil
• Ardent reel butter oil
• Boca Bearings High-speed oil
• Daiwa reel oil

All the products are readily available on Amazon at affordable prices. The oils mentioned above come with their pros and cons. They are a must-try.

Tips for proper reel care

Remember that oiling your lubricating your baitcasting fishing reel requires attention and patience. So never rush into the process. Here are some tips to follow for proper reel care:

• Keep all the proper tools handy during the process.
• During disassembling and assembling process, make sure to hold the reel properly.
• Before you remove your spool, secure your fishing line.
• Do not use gasoline as it can melt the plastic.
• Always apply grease to the bottom and not the top of the teeth.

FAQ:

How often should you oil your fishing reel?

You should oil your reel from time to time. Lubricating or oiling once every 2-3 years is highly recommendable.

Can we put Vaseline on the baitcasting fishing reel?

Yes, you can. When the oil is not in hand, you can use Vaseline as grease for your fishing reel. Unlike oil, it does not reach the smallest part of the reel but can keep them lubricated.

Is it safe to oil a new reel?

New reels are either over-lubed or greased enough to get them past the warranty period. Hence, you do not need to oil the reel. But you can surely add some if you want.

Is lithium grease safe on baitcasting fishing reel?

The answer to this question is Yes/No. Lithium grease out of an aerosol can cause damage to your fishing reel. They tend to have acetone content in them. White Lithium grease that comes from a tube is safe for fishing reels.

Conclusion

So, here is all about how to oil a baitcasting reel. If you want the best results and performance, make sure to oil your baitcasting fishing reel regularly.

Clean gear is essential for a good fishing session. Do not rush. Apply gentle water pressure when rinsing the reels. Besides oiling or lubricating, it is equally necessary to clean your fishing reel. Remember that too much oil or grease is not suitable for the reel. Always use a considerate amount.

For example, two drops of oil are enough for the reels. The oil improves viscosity and works best for high-speed and high-temperature application reels. It prevents oxidation and rust. Hence, you should always oil your baitcasting fishing reel.