Cleaning saltwater fly reels helps prolong your reels’ life.
As a fishing enthusiast, you gotta make sure that all your pieces of saltwater fishing equipment are well-maintained and appropriately cleaned. The unwanted sand, weeds, and other stuff remain stubborn on your fly fishing rod and hence the care for your saltwater fly reels gets compromised.
In order to keep your fly reel steer clear from any sort of dirt, a proper wash and cleaning of your best saltwater fly reels become mandatory. Undoubtedly the modern reels are well-designed to keep any contamination as far as possible.Â
However, to keep your reel running smoothly, a little maintenance is required. So a few tips for cleaning saltwater fly reels can come in handy and can help you in the swift washing of your reels.Â

Why Cleaning Saltwater Fly Reels is Necessary?
Cleaning the fly reel becomes mandatory when you fish in saltwater. The particles and debris the saltwater contains can harm your reel and hence you will end up with a damaged fly reel. Saltwater contains salt in large amounts. So, if you don’t focus on the after-care of your reel then it might get victimized by corrosion.Â
If you fish in freshwater then cleaning regularly is not a necessity as there is no fear of corrosion in freshwater.Â
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How To Clean Saltwater Fly Reels
So, if your reel is really messy and you are looking for ways to clean it then here is one to solve your issue.
- Â Take off the lining of the reel and the backing on it.
- Carefully remove the spool from the reel.
- To clean the reel from dirt and old oil, use a Q-tip dipped in a cleaning solution.
- Now with the help of a towel, thoroughly wipe down all the dirt.
- Wipe down the spool firmly with the help of a towel.
- Now lightly grease the inside part of the spool and the backing of the spool.
- Make sure you read the manufacturer’s warranty before applying such techniques as it may result in the violation of their warranty.
- Now place a new backing and with the help of an Albright Knot attach the backing to the line.
So here is a little breakdown of how you can easily clean a fly reel and make it as good as new.
Fly Reel Maintenance
As we have seen, cleaning fly reels can be a little tricky. Therefore, in order to maintain their good shape and state, you can follow a few precautions so that minimum cleaning of the flying reels is required. The following tips come in handy while maintaining a fly reel.
Handle Reel Carefully
If we talk about maintaining the reel, they must be handled with great care in the first place. Also, refrain from dragging it into the sand and bumping it into the rocks. As it might break the frame. Also, make sure you protect it from any spray in the boat you are riding in.Â
Rinse After Every Use
so, here comes a point to focus on. Always rinse your reels thoroughly with water whenever fishing in saltwater or freshwater. It’s considered a best practice to always clean it with water so that any contamination or dirt stays at bay. It’s just a matter of a few minutes.
Avoid Pressure on Fly Reel
Please do not use a high-pressure hose or sprayer to rinse your reel. The damage it can cause is beyond your expectation. The reason for this is that the pressurized water could actually force the grit into the reel rather than rinsing or cleaning it.Â
How to fix the Saltwater fly reel?
If you have damaged your reel while fishing, here are some steps to fix your saltwater fly reel.
Step 1: Remove The Reel From Rod
Remove the reel from the rod and take it to your work area. By doing so, you will get plenty of space to work on it and you can deeply navigate through the issue. Remove the bottom retaining nut and keep unscrewing it until the reel comes out of the rod.Â
Step 2: Clean the Saltwater Fly Reel Carefully
Clean off any dirt or contamination you see on the reel before diving further into the internal components of the reel. With the help of a soft towel carefully remove the dirt particles and if necessary, use a soap solution to remove the stubborn grease.Â
Step 3: Remove the Spindle From the Reel
Now it’s time to take out the spindle from the reel. Different reels function differently and so it’s best you read out the manual before you take out the spindle. Normally you can take out the spindle by unlocking it and it will slide out.
Step 4: Clean the gears Inside the Reel
Now it’s time to thoroughly cleanse the gears present inside the reel. Once you successfully remove the spindle, you can easily access the gears inside the reel. But, these gears can require changing if they are bent or misshaped. One of the main reasons your reel dysfunctions is that it gets surrounded by salt and dirt. Once the reel is properly cleaned, apply a thin coat of reel lubricant. Now your reels are protected from corrosion caused due to saltwater.
Step 5: Lubricate Your Reel
It’s time for the spindle. Get rid of the dirty ocean particles and use any good reel lubricants.
Step 6: Change the Handle of the Reel
If your reel has been used numerous times, it’s time you change the handle. Mostly after a heavy long fishing season, the screw happens to become loose and hence the handle starts to dislocate. Replace it with the new handle and tighten the screws perfectly.
Aftercare of Saltwater Fly Reel
When we talk about aftercare then drying the saltwater reel happens to be one of the most important tasks. Dry the reel completely with a clean cloth. After that carefully spray the chassis and spool with oil and wipe it down. Next, put this reel into a zip-lock bag and seal it for the next use.
Remember, always rinse your reel after using it in saltwater or freshwater to get rid of any kind of debris that might damage the fly reel.
All types of fishing reels require care after using them in saltwater. Generally, baitcasting reels are also popular for saltwater fishing especially if you’re targetting larger species (More about baitcasting reels on https://flyandspincasting.com)
Conclusion
So, is it that difficult to maintain the saltwater fly reel? This article must have unfolded various ways that you can clean saltwater fly reels. Furthermore, if you have accidentally broken your reel then you must be well-equipped with the knowledge on how to fix the saltwater fly reel and this article is here to assist you in this cause.
Whether you are using a fly fishing reel, baitcasting reel, or spinning reel each one requires as little maintenance as possible depending on how well you treat them. Maintaining the reels will not only save you money and time, but you will always be ready to fish in any season without fixing it again and again.Â