How to Clean Penn Fishing Reels

When fishing, having a reel fail can mean the difference between a good day of fishing and a nightmare on the water. Because of this, it's important to have all of your reels in working order. Part of this means making sure that they are clean. Any debris within the reel can cause malfunction, but by taking the short time involved in cleaning you can extend the life of the reel for years.

Things You'll Need

• Flat head screwdriver
• Canned air
• Faucet
• Paper towels
• Reel oil and grease

Instructions

1. Unscrew the reel handle by gripping the reel and turning the handle counterclockwise. Remove the handle from the reel.

2. Remove the spool of the reel by unscrewing the drag control and lift the spool off of the reel.

3. Take the cover plate off of the reel by removing the screws and lifting the plate off of the reel.

4. Spray canned air into the reel to remove any large debris that may be clinging to the inside of the reel.

5. Rinse the reel under the faucet to remove any remaining debris in the reel.

6. Wipe the interior and exterior of the reel with a paper towel to further clean the reel and do so until the reel is thoroughly clean.

7. Grease the interior gears and replace the reel plate and spool. This will ensure that the reel functions smoothly.

Tips & Warnings

• Reels should be cleaned frequently to maintain proper working order.