Is anyone interested in hosting a reel maintenance clinic in the month of March this year?...

It would be a great time to get the gear ready for spring!

I'd like in on that, since I have 2 jammed reels and not the slightest idea of how to un-jam them.

:smash:

I've actually put them aside and only yesterday morning did I think of them when I got a friendly reminder..... I stepped on something sharp and it went right up my heel. Only when I lifted my foot did I feel a HOOK lodged in there....*groan*

Any help I can get would be appreciated, I'm long overdue to learn these things................!

sweetieface, what reels? i am pretty good with penns, abu's, vab staals, and a few others. check in the FAQ forum, too, i posted a link to a site that has exploded views of most reels past and present.

i know John and i mentioned this possible GTG a few weeks back. scheduling might be tough with all the shows but i'll lend a hand if i am available.

TL - One's a Penn 6500SS and the other is a cheap crappy walmart special (my first rod, weighing in at $34.99!).

The Penn really has just tangled line which I might consider just hacking off entirely and going back to the sporting goods store for more, but the walmart wonder (acutally not a bad little reel) has line that runs from the spool to underneath the actual ....spinning thing.... yes, I know all the technical terms. Its all wedged in there....

I should probably learn how to disassemble it for cleaning anyway, unless my scrubbing the rods down in the shower is sufficient!

hack off the line on both reels . then one will be ready for new line . you should remove your line after each season and replace with new line .
the one with the line tangled around the "spinning thing " . cut and remove the all line . get new line and you should be all set .
you are right it is good to know how to do basic maintenance to your reels . you never know when you will need to do something to get you back fishing . as far as scrubbing them down in the shower ..................................... well if it works for you by all means continue . ;) WOW

I didn't know I had to replace the line each year.... hm.
Ok, so I'll hack the lines. Now the tangled one, its lodged under that ...spinning thing. Should I just take it to the sports place and plead: Girl Fisherman, and let them handle it for me? LOL.

Thanks Chris.
And yes, its really quite an exciting thing to see: Me covered in fish guts, fishy clothing on, standing outside the shower, cleaning the rods while the water drips down my arms and soaks my shoes!!! You think I'd be bright enough to wait until I get IN the shower....
At least the rods smell like the mild berry scented soap I use on them! LOL

Hi Sweetieface. Its easy to learn the basics of maintaining a penn SS. There just isn't all that much to worry about. fixing one that doesn't work is a different story but just doing annual maintenance is something you could learn easy.

As far as the Walmart wonder , I wouldn't know till I see it. May jsy need to cut the line off as mentioned or you may need to get in there and scrub some rust and sand and old grease out and relube.

Sounds like your trying to describe the line being wrapped up under the spool.Is this a reel with a front drag that you tighten the drag on the face of the spool? if so just back the drag knob(the plastic thing in the center of the spool) off counterclockwise till it comes off the main shaft and then pull the spool off the reel the line is probably just wrapped around the main shaft.Just unwrap it or cut it out then put spool back on main shaft and turn slowly till it drops all the way to bottom of mainshaft and then put drag knob back onand tighten. good luck

Hi Sweetieface - good to see you back... You shower with your reels? :hihi:

OK - as for the first question - I would like to but don't see how we could time it / hold it unless someone has a suggestion. Gonna be tight with Too Cold, MSBA, and then Twinkie Time is right around the corner but I'm open to ideas...

SF - odds are the Penn is fine as you didn't have it that long last year, right? Its a good practice to have saltwater reels cleaned once a year (or more if you soak 'em like I do).