Thread: Reel Storage Question?

My wife and I come down twice a year and I get to fish about 14 days a year. Our trips are usually in May and August. The question is that after the August trip when I am cleaning and lubricating my reels, is it necessary to strip off all of the line? If I leave the line on the spools, will it cause rust issues? I am not sure if it is worth it for me to use braid.

If the reel wasn't dunked in the surf, a gentle but thorough freshwater spray will be ok.

If you start having rust issues on the reel spools, you need to find a new reel. The spools should be made of aluminum (though some are made of a composite material).

Originally Posted by Irish Fisherman

My wife and I come down twice a year and I get to fish about 14 days a year. Our trips are usually in May and August. The question is that after the August trip when I am cleaning and lubricating my reels, is it necessary to strip off all of the line?
If I leave the line on the spools, will it cause rust issues? I am not sure if it is worth it for me to use braid.

If by "rust" you mean that chalky, powdery white corrosion crud that grows to the inside of the spool then likely, YES!

The issue is salt water clinging to the line as it is wound onto the spool (mono or braid it doesn't matter).
If all you do is spray water on the outside of the line on the spool that will only serve to drive the (diluted) salty water farther into the line stack.
Some preventative measures will help by spraying the NEW line with a treatment like Reel Magic.
After the spring use strip off about 100 to 150 yards of the most used line (into a 5 gallon bucket with tap water and a few drops of fabric softener).
Then reel the line back onto the reel through a handcloth or paper towel soaked in Reel Magic to dry the line and replace the protectant.
After the August trip you could strip all the line off and thoroughly clean the inside of the spool along with the rest of the reel or repeat this same if the line is worth saving (or more expensive braid).

Your reels should last a good long time and continue to perform as new IF you maintain the lubrication points and prevent corrosion from getting started.

Hope this helps!

I am fishing with Penn Spinfisher V and Battle II reels and have not had any problems. I rinse the rod and reels after each use and then clean them very well when I get home. I have been stripping all of the line and cleaning the spool and was just wondering if it is ok to keep the line on after the amount I fishing I do.

Those are good reels with anodized aluminum spools and sealed stainless bearings.
It probably doesn't hurt leaving the line on for a few months, but issues may arise after long term storage.
What constitutes "long term"?
Long enough for corrosion to begin eating away at the aluminum finish.

Sounds like you have good tackle and good maintenance practices!