How to Clean Reel After Saltwater Fishing: A Guide to Prevent Corrosion

BY Brett Freese
March 18, 2022

Fishing is a popular hobby and sport. However, the gears used to do so often get neglected. One of the most important pieces of gears is the reel, which can corrode if not cleaned and maintained properly.

The saltwater environment exacerbates this problem and corrosion occurs more quickly than with freshwater fishing.

This article will provide you with tips on how to clean reel after saltwater fishing so that it lasts longer and doesn’t rust or corrode. Luckily, there are some things I can do before and after fishing to prevent my favorite reel from becoming rusty!

Why do I Have to Clean the Fishing Reel?

Saltwater fishing can cause corrosion of metal gears in a couple of different ways. For one, salt is highly corrosive to metals. Salt also acts as an abrasive on your reel when you are fishing, since it doesn’t dissolve in water and instead sticks to objects like fish scales or seaweed that get caught up in the reel.

The constant rubbing of these objects against the metal causes wear. It would be similar to having sandpaper rub up against your favorite shirt – not good!

How to Clean a Spinning Reel

Fortunately, saltwater corrosion can be prevented or at least postponed with some simple techniques. After fishing, you should clean your reel to get rid of the salt and prevent it from corroding anything.

If there is dirt on the reel, scrape it off gently with a smooth metal tool such as a spoon so that you don’t scratch or damage any pieces. Then soak the reel in freshwater for at least an hour. This will dissolve the salt and wash away any particles that were stuck to it.

Take note: do not use soap when cleaning your reel since this can contaminate and damage the metal!

Tips Preventing Corrosion After Saltwater Fishing

There are several things I do before getting out on the water to prevent damage to my reel:

Clean the reel with freshwater if possible before going out into the salty ocean environment. This will remove any sand or dirt.
Clean the reel with freshwater after fishing in saltwater to remove any leftover sand, fish scales, seaweed, etc.
WD-40® is also effective at preventing corrosion of a metal gears. It protects against rust and other types of damage.
I keep my reels in protective pouches when storing them between uses so that they aren’t just sitting out in the open air without protection. This way, no matter what you do – remember to always clean it!

After cleaning the reel with stream water, you should pull all the parts off your fishing rod and give each piece a light coating of oil before assembling it back together again since lubricant inhibits corrosion effectively by displacing moisture on the surface of the metal, preventing corrosion. The lubricant will also lubricate the reel’s parts.

What to Remember When Cleaning Your Reel

Remember, always clean your reels after saltwater use to prevent corrosion! If you forget to do this and your reel starts corroding, scrub it with a nylon pad and rust-inhibiting grease instead of detergent.

However, if this doesn’t work and the reel is still rusty or corroded despite cleaning, then your only recourse might be to reset the reel using WD-40. This involves disassembling the reel and coating the parts in WD-40, which will dissolve any corrosion. Once all of the components are coated, simply reassemble them as normal.

Is it Necessary to Clean Fishing Reels?

Yes, always clean the reel after saltwater fishing to prevent it from corroding! That is because salt can cause rust in metal, which is not good for the fishing reel. Also, when you are out on the open water, things like rough fish scales and seaweed can get caught up in your fishing reel and damage it.

You should clean the reel with tap water after saltwater use to remove any leftover sand or salt that got stuck in it. If there is dirt on your reel, scrape it off gently with a smooth metal tool such as a spoon so you don’t scratch or damage any pieces. Then soak the reel in any water for at least an hour to dissolve the salt and wash away any particles that were stuck to the reel.

Always remember to clean your reels with tap water if possible before going out into the salty ocean environment!

Is WD-40 Effective at Preventing Deterioration?

WD-40 is a lubricant that inhibits deterioration and lubricates metal parts. It is very effective at preventing deterioration! This will help protect your fishing reels.

Are There Saltwater Reels?

Saltwater reels are very popular because they are rust-proof. This fishing reel is mostly used for saltwater fishing, but some people use them for freshwater fishing as well.

Keep your reels in protective pouches when storing them between usages so that they aren’t just sitting out in the open air without protection. This way, no matter what you do – remember to always clean it!

Recommended Cleaning Fishing Equipment for Next Fishing Trip

These are the cleaning fishing equipment you’ll need to clean after a day of saltwater fishing:

Clean Fishing Poles

The best way to do this is by filling up your sink with warm water and dish soap as well as filling your bottle sprayer with lube from your kitchen cabinet because cooking oils such as peanut or olive are often the cheapest but also the best because they do not break down into dangerous chemicals which can eat away at metal components if heated by fire.

Clean Fishing Reels

A good amount of fishing reel have a part called a ‘pawl’ which is directly beneath the reel handle, and if this pawl becomes dirty, corroded, or covered in dirt it will not allow for smooth casting.

What To Do When You Forget To Clean Your Reel

If you forget to clean your fishing gear after saltwater use, remember these steps:

Remove All Pieces

To avoid rust, disassemble your fishing rod and apply a little layer of oil to each component before reassembling the rod.

This keeps moisture from condensing on the metal’s surface, which would otherwise cause it to corrode. In addition to lubricating the reel’s components, the oil also serves as a coolant.

Scrub Reel

Scrub the reel down with a nylon pad and rust-inhibiting grease instead of detergent if you don’t have water available for washing up after forgetting to do so while fishing.

Reset Equipment

If this doesn’t work, then your only recourse might be to reset the gear using WD-40. This involves disassembling the reel and coating the parts in WD-40, which will dissolve any deterioration. Once all of the components are coated, simply reassemble them as normal.

Store Reel

When you are done cleaning, store your fishing reel in a protective pouch so they aren’t just sitting out in the open air without protection. This way, no matter what you do – remember to always clean it!

Saltwater Reel Cleaning Schedule

If you are someone who fishes in saltwater often, you will want to clean your reels every time you go fishing. This means that if it’s a once or twice per week routine for you, then an after-fishing cleanup should be done at the end of each trip.

If you only fish once or twice per month, then try cleaning thoroughly before storing it away between trips to prevent any deterioration that may have occurred while using it. This can also help prolong the lifespan of your reel equipment.

What is a Drag Knob?

This is a screw-down dial that can be turned down to slow the reel while playing fishes. If you are using the right kind of fishing line, it will tighten when a fish takes your bait or lure.

When this happens, if you don’t have enough drag on the reel, your catch might escape. This prevents frustration and ensures you land all of your catches!

What is Fine-Tuner?

A fine tuner is also known as an anti-reverse knob because it tightens when you turn the handle in one direction to stop any movement caused by drag.

This mainly helps prevent backlashes during normal fishing conditions. It’s always good to have extra braking power available just in case things get rough.

When Should I Replace My Fishing Line?

Replace your fishing line if you notice any of these signs.

If it’s frayed anywhere along the length of the line, this means tension over time has pulled apart individual strands so much so that they are starting to unravel throughout other parts of the spool.
If there are any markings or spots on the line – especially around where you attach your lure.
If the line has been bent back and forth, this means it might not be as strong as it used to be.

When Should I Replace My Fishing Rods?

Replace your fishing rods immediately if you notice any of these signs:

At their weakest point, fishing rods are most likely to break at the handle. If you notice any cracks along this area or close to it, don’t use it anymore because even small damage can lead to big problems when playing with the fishes!
If there is unusual discoloring of the material anywhere along the length of your rods, then that means the dye has started to chip off which means it won’t be as strong and resistant to corrosion.
If any of the metal rings (the pieces that hold the fishing rods together) are bent, this could mean it is unsafe to use.
If you accidentally drop your rods when loading or unloading your equipments in your car – this can damage the integrity of the rod itself.

Additional Tips When Cleaning Fishing Reel

Before cleaning the reel, ensure sure you’ve read any maintenance recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
If you forgot to clean your fishing equipment, make a note on a calendar or check your email inbox for any reminders. Write it down so that you don’t forget next time!
Some people recommend checking the weather before preparing for your saltwater fishing trip as well, just to ensure that you will need all of the gear.
Make sure not to get any of the WD-40 on bearing surfaces or anywhere near equipment and wear rubber gloves while using this product during maintenance work.
Never use bleach or any other harsh chemicals on your reel. Doing so can cause damage and might decrease its lifespan.
To prevent rust, rub chemical oil onto the metal parts and wipe them with a soft cloth once they are dry after cleaning up

Final thoughts on How to Clean Reel After Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater fishing is a thrilling experience! You catch more fish on saltwater fishing expeditions than you do with freshwater fishing.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to clean a reel after saltwater fishing so that you can prevent it from corroding! Remember, always keep your reels protected with fresh water if possible before going out into the salty ocean environment!

Brett Freese

I've always had a passion for fishing ever since I was young. I started fishing with my grandpa at 6, and he taught me everything I needed to know! I love sharing my knowledge with the community, as well as learning from other anglers. We only get better if we help each other!