Preparing reels for ice

[Matchman]

Hi Ice Fiends,

I'm thinking I should do some routine maintenance on my ice reels. In particular, I bought a reel last year that gets super sluggish in the cold. Any recommendations?

Matchman

[augernaut]

Reels that get sluggish in the cold usually don't have a good quality low temperature lube in them. I'd take the reel apart, and using toothpicks, q-tips, or whatever, get as much of the old grease out as you possibly can. Then, relube with HT's Bluelube, or Quantum Hotsauce, or similar. My number one tip to get ready for ice is to put fresh line on all of your reels - don't just use last years, or take old open water line and use that. New line, every year. Same goes for tipup leaders, etc. Every year I take all my gear and give it a once over. It's a fun way to pass the non-ice time (or the dark ages, as I call them :-) and it ensures you won't have any equipment malfunctions when you tie into the fish of a lifetime.

[Bobberboy]

Great advise augernaut. Getting ready is all part of the fun! I've been trying to wait until atleast November to haul out my gear.

[IcePro]

Do not jump the gun to early by spooling your ice reels with new line. The smaller diameter of the spools on spinning reels can cause line memory, if the line is spooled to early.

I would remove the old line and clean up the reels but wait before respooling. By spooling your line now will not make the ice fishing season come any faster.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Heres how I prepare my reels. I just look them in the eye and say, "Let`s get it on!" I have lubed and cleaned and polished but never found any advantages. Reels either last or they dont.