What Do You Do To Brand New Reel Before Fishing It? 2024
Duckbutter100 reply :
I recently bought 2 Citica's and finally got them on rods. Only issue is they dont seem as smooth as I thought they would be. I remember the one you fondle in the store feeling a lot smoother. Do I just need to reel for a while for break in or should I take apart and follow the thread on how to lube a reel?
Also is it normal for a BC reel to not make the spool move when you reel it until you mess with the drag? I reeled both reels and neither spun the middle spool until I screwed with the drag setting....is that normal?
A-Jay reply :
As mentioned above - proper spool tension adjustment will be required to enable you to cast efficiently.
Also, proper drag adjustment is an instrumental setting that's required to fight & land fish.
Finally, Don't forget the line.
A-Jay
rippin-lips reply :
Me personally I flush and re lube the spool bearings first thing.
Duckbutter100 reply :
I guess I should have said on the inside of the reel.
Although the add line comment was funny.
mprestonSEK reply :
Break it down and check to see if the manufacturer over greased anything. Flush the bearings and apply the oil of your choice and you'll be good to go.
.ghoti. reply :
when I buy a new reel, I ride it like I stole for a couple of days. That will prove that there are no defects from the factory. Then i tear it down, clean and properly lube it to my specs. Never had a problem doing it this way.
Loop_Dad reply :
I do the bearing flush and oil the first thing. But since you are new to this, I don't recommend you open the reel and mess with it at this point. Didn't they come with instruction on how to adjust the spool tension and drag? If not, look those up on internet. You need to spool the line, mount on the rod and put some lure and adjust both.
When you said not smooth, is it like grinding not smooth? Are they both about the same?
And I think they ship reels with drag all the way loose, in order to preserve the drag in case it sits on the shelves long.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 6:20 AM, .ghoti. said:when I buy a new reel, I ride it like I stole for a couple of days. That will prove that there are no defects from the factory. Then i tear it down, clean and properly lube it to my specs. Never had a problem doing it this way.
I've never had to return a new reel, but I read that companies frown on owners opening up their reels first and then sending it in for warranty work. Has a tendency to void the warranty. Best to make sure the reel works correctly first unless you don't plan on the company repairing or replacing the reel.
However, I don't always follow my own advise. 
DVT cleaned my Curado 51E before I ever made a cast with it, and I had my 1st baitcast reel (a Fuego) tuned by Trey before ever using it. Research back then had me believing a reel couldn't perform well without a tune....well at least not up to its potential. I now know that a cleaned reel has plenty of potential. 
ColdSVT reply :
First thing do is find out if it catches fish! After i spool it that is lol
Duckbutter100 reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 6:20 AM, Loop_Dad said:I do the bearing flush and oil the first thing. But since you are new to this, I don't recommend you open the reel and mess with it at this point. Didn't they come with instruction on how to adjust the spool tension and drag? If not, look those up on internet. You need to spool the line, mount on the rod and put some lure and adjust both.
When you said not smooth, is it like grinding not smooth? Are they both about the same?
And I think they ship reels with drag all the way loose, in order to preserve the drag in case it sits on the shelves long.
Not grinding but one of the 2 reels a bit rougher then the other. It may just need broke in a bit but I was trying to figure out if I should auto oil a new reel or not. I prob need to play around with it a bit more to see if it smooths out. Its almost like I can feel the bearing moving as I reel if that makes sense.
On a level of 1 to 10 on smoothness as you are reeling it seems to go 8/9/8/9/8/9/8/9/89 that may be the best way I can explain it. I feel a little tension then free a little tension then free. Its very very minor though and it does have an audible sound as I am reeling unlike the other one.
Duckbutter100 reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 6:20 AM, Loop_Dad said:. Didn't they come with instruction on how to adjust the spool tension and drag?
Instructions......I have a whole website full of expert fishermen who are stuck in the middle of winter duldrums with little or nothing to do...Id rather ask you guys then read some instruction booklet.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Fish it hard right out of the box. If there are no warranty issues you can flush the bearings. Have it deep cleaned after the first saeson and regularly thereafter.
AQUA VELVA reply :
Thats an interesting question. I've never had a reel that did'nt perform right out of the box. All the reels I have bought always came with an owners manual that explained how to set the reel up and care for it. I service all of my own reels. Believe it or not, most BC reels are very similar on the inside no matter what they may look like on the outside. Some reels came with an exploded drawing and some did'nt. If your not very mechanically inclined you might be better off having them serviced by professionals. Good luck.
Felix77 reply :
Stare at it and wait for ice out.
Seriously. Nothing until it's first season of use
Jrob78 reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 9:09 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Fish it hard right out of the box. If there are no warranty issues you can flush the bearings. Have it deep cleaned after the first saeson and regularly thereafter.
This is what I do too. I consider it sort of a baseline for how the reel will perform. After I've fished it hard for a few trips I will break it down and give it a good cleaning/delubing in the ultra sonic cleaner.
Duckbutter100 reply :
I have been messing with it for a while and this is what I have figure out.
If I loosen the drag enough to where I can put my finger on the spool to stop it all of the noise and odd feelings goes away and it seems very smooth. When I tighten the drag to where the spool moves I get 6 audible(barely) clicks for every revolution of the handle.
I have not strung up the reel yet. Just put it on a rod and have been messing with it. I have not opened it to change any of the brake settings. (I did for the other reel)
If I had to explain it feel like one of the ball bearings on the spool is missing and when it gets to a certain point the other bearings roll past the open spot and make contact. That would be the audible sound I hear. I doubt that is the real problem but that is the best way I can explain it.
TiNuts reply :
Mount it to a rod! Ha ha ha
I take it out either to my driveway or out fishing and cast/fish with it straight out of the box. Just to get a feel for a performance baseline. I'll keep a reel stock so I can get to know it and have something to compare to after I do a cleaning/relube.
Got1Fishing reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 5:33 AM, rippin-lips said:Me personally I flush and re lube the spool bearings first thing.
X2
Loop_Dad reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 8:51 AM, Duckbutter100 said:Not grinding but one of the 2 reels a bit rougher then the other. It may just need broke in a bit but I was trying to figure out if I should auto oil a new reel or not. I prob need to play around with it a bit more to see if it smooths out. Its almost like I can feel the bearing moving as I reel if that makes sense.
On a level of 1 to 10 on smoothness as you are reeling it seems to go 8/9/8/9/8/9/8/9/89 that may be the best way I can explain it. I feel a little tension then free a little tension then free. Its very very minor though and it does have an audible sound as I am reeling unlike the other one.
This sounds odd. I have two Citica's that I bought 2 seasons ago. It's been always smooth.
These are really brand new reels straight from a dealer, right? Can you take it back and get a new one?
Oh and we didn't have winter this year in California. It's in 70's with water temp mid 50's.
killula reply :
I just fish it a season or till it needs to be clean. I've never had problems with reels not being smooth and what not, out of box.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 6:46 AM, new2BC4bass said:I've never had to return a new reel, but I read that companies frown on owners opening up their reels first and then sending it in for warranty work. Has a tendency to void the warranty. Best to make sure the reel works correctly first unless you don't plan on the company repairing or replacing the reel.
I use spinning but I do nothing in case the reel needs to be returned.
Duckbutter100 reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 11:42 AM, Loop_Dad said:This sounds odd. I have two Citica's that I bought 2 seasons ago. It's been always smooth.
These are really brand new reels straight from a dealer, right? Can you take it back and get a new one?
Oh and we didn't have winter this year in California. It's in 70's with water temp mid 50's.
Yes, both purchased at same time from Dicks Sporting goods.
.RM. reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 9:09 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Fish it hard right out of the box. If there are no warranty issues you can flush the bearings. Have it deep cleaned after the first saeson and regularly thereafter.
X2....
McAlpine reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 9:09 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Fish it hard right out of the box. If there are no warranty issues you can flush the bearings. Have it deep cleaned after the first saeson and regularly thereafter.
x2. I usually fish a new reel for a season before I crack it open. If I can't do that then it's not the reel I want anyway and it goes back. Annual clean and lube afterwards.
Tywithay reply :
Depends on the situation. If I buy a reel and already have plans to go fishing, I spool 'er up and get after it. If I have a few days between fishing trips, I'll tear it down and clean/relube everything properly.
ww2farmer reply :
I take it out of the box, put line on it, and use it. After a little use I will lightly lube the spool bearings and worm gear.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Drop of oil on bearings... I had a 51e had a dry bearing... Man it was real bad... Then it would quit making noise ..oiled it, and boom, no problem no more!
Capt.Bob reply :
On 2/14/2014 at 6:20 AM, .ghoti. said:when I buy a new reel, I ride it like I stole for a couple of days. That will prove that there are no defects from the factory. Then i tear it down, clean and properly lube it to my specs. Never had a problem doing it this way.
Pretty well says it!
Loop_Dad reply :
On 2/15/2014 at 12:24 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Drop of oil on bearings... I had a 51e had a dry bearing... Man it was real bad... Then it would quit making noise ..oiled it, and boom, no problem no more!
Was that a brand new reel came dry or was that a used? I have never heard of shimano came dry from factory...
Alonerankin2 reply :
Yes Sir.... It was brand new... The 50/51e's are great little reels... Just a fluke I guess!
cddan reply :
I would return it or exchange it. In a few stores, I have noticed the shimanos were that way.(floor models) I thought it was odd cause I heard such good stuff about shimanos. Went to cabelas and their citica was nice and smooth. Dont be afraid to take the next reel out of the box and check it real good before you leave the store. When I was in the same store you got yours I asked the clerk why they were that way he said he didnt know. He didnt seem too interested in selling me anything. I like the store but dont like my stores service.
lmbfisherman reply :
I usually break it in for awhile before I clean/relube. Like others have stated, I want to ensure everything is in working order before I open the reel up.
Montanaro reply :
I cut myself and feed it my blood. Must become one with the reel
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/15/2014 at 8:32 AM, cddan said:I would return it or exchange it. In a few stores, I have noticed the shimanos were that way.(floor models)
I don't think a floor model should be different than any other reel, it comes out of a box too. From my observation most people turn the crank and check the drag on floor models, I don't see any excessive wear and tear to them, maybe less than actually fishing with them. I'd have no qualms buying a floor model if it felt good and they gave me a discount, still has warranty.
*Hootie reply :
The one thing I always do with a new reel before fishing with it is put line on it. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes.
Hootie
Arv reply :
I put line on it, then put the reel on a rod, then tie a lure to the line
Duckbutter100 reply :
On 2/16/2014 at 1:26 AM, Arv said:I put line on it, then put the reel on a rod, then tie a lure to the line
I think you missed a step.......Wouldn't it be easier to put the line thru those little circle things on the rod before tying on? Seems like it would be tough to get the lure thru them all.
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