new reel and reel maintenance

[fishcast]

I just picked up a shimano symetre spinning reel the other day, and was wondering if anyone does anything to there new reels initially before the first use?

Also I have really never done much maintenance on any of my reels and have been fine so far, but don't want to find out something after I have problems. Is their some yearly maintenance people do each year with spinning and casting reels? Thanks

[Deitz Dittrich]

Generally I dont do anything with them if they are new out of the box. On your symetry, just behind the spool there is a regular slotted screw. I would remove that about once a month and put one drop of reel oil in that hole.. thats what its there for... and oil port.. besides that, maybe have it profesionally cleaned every few years.

[slipperybob]

Normally you don't have to do anything.

Sometimes, there's too much reel grease and you might want to just spin the reel silly so the gears and ball bearing gets that breakin condition. It will run a lot smoother after that. I just pick it up and spin it so and so while I watch TV (fishing on TV). LOL's

Also it helps that sometimes you double check all the little screws to make sure they are in snugged. I've once had my line roller screw came loose on me. That was on a Sahara 4000. Had a rotor screw came loose on a Symetre 4000 (I returned that one to get the Sahara 4000). Also you might have to once in a while check the pin screw on the handle drive as new ones that you spin, sometimes comes loose while just playing the breakin deal.

I hate that while fishing and having to retighten the loose pin screw.

[bucketmouth64]

It depends how much you fish. I primarily use bait casters and I have them cleaned/lubed before each season. I don't want a malfunction during the season. I'm getting mine back next week and was told that several parts had to be replaced on different reels. All of the parts were under warranty except for the bearings. It's like starting the season with a new reel.

[Loon]

I have 4 Symetre 2500FIs and they all came with factory oil. I put 3 or 4 drops in each port hole once a month and I spray them down with Reel Magic aerosol.

They are 3 years old and I haven't thought of replacing any.

In fact I'm probably going to add a 750FI for an ultralight crappie rod.

[NCLaker]

Shimano's HSOforum has a maintenance guide (customer service/reel maint instruct). Includes lube instructions. Besides the oil port, they recommend hitting the line roler, bail arm assembly, and drive gear.