Stella Maintenance

[David Clumpner]

I rinse my Stella in freshwater after each use.  I don't usually remove the spool and rinse 'inside' but I know I probably should.   And I am supposed to put a drop of oil in the oil port hole every so often, right?  Is there anything else I should be doing to keep my reel in long-term, working condition?

[Kai Caiyang]

Hi David,
My routine is to remove the braided line (avoid corrosion of the spool). Spray rinse in freshwater not soak or dunk into a pail. apply light oil or grease according to SW manuals.

Almost same as your routine add removing line


Cheers,
Kai

[chris c]

hi guys,
        probably the best way to maintain your stella's is to give them a light spray with inox, tackleguard or similar water disperssant spray and wipe clean of salt build up at worst clean with warm soapy water on a rag..

next step is too lubricate external moving parts on the reel, line roller bail hinges ect.. periodically loosen line roller screw and oil bearing, same goes for the handle knob remove shimano id plate screws, remove id plate and oil the two bearings in the handle knob..

periodically remove oil port screw in R/S plate and add a small amount of shimano reel grease and sevral drops of oil, note do not go overboard with this it may hinder the performance of your reel.

as for stripping the line bacl and wiping down the spool thats a great idea, you could always spray the spool with lanolin and let it dry before spooling up, if your reel get heavily soiled or sprayed with saltwater i strongly reccomend removing the rear protector and greasing the reels surface. this helps prevent corrosion starting behind the protector due to salt build up..

lastly a reel is like a car, you get your car serviced don't you?.. same goes for your stella get it serviced at least annually this will help in your reel being in top working order..

cheers chris.

[David Clumpner]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys.  Perhaps I should clarify the details leading to my question.

I have the opportunity to fish often - nearly every day.  But I always push my fishing time to the limit - returning with just enough minutes to shower, grab some food, and walk to work.  As it stands, I shower with my fishing pole, giving it a good spray down.  I don't think I have the time or patience (or need) to do all of that oiling every day.  Perhaps the same with removing the line.  I think I am resigned to the fact that my inner spool will suffer corrosion as I just don't have the time to care for it properly every day.  Also, is there an easy, fast way to remove line that I am not thinking of?

Should I try to do that oiling once a week/once a month?  Should I insist on doing it daily?  Anything in particular I SHOULD do daily beyond a good spray down?  (I am fishing from a kayak so my reel is definitely getting salty every day.)

Thanks for the advice, especially on the yearly maintenance - I will definitely send my reel in at season's end.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys.  Perhaps I should clarify the details leading to my question.

I have the opportunity to fish often - nearly every day.  But I always push my fishing time to the limit - returning with just enough minutes to shower, grab some food, and walk to work.  As it stands, I shower with my fishing pole, giving it a good spray down.  I don't think I have the time or patience (or need) to do all of that oiling every day.  Perhaps the same with removing the line.  I think I am resigned to the fact that my inner spool will suffer corrosion as I just don't have the time to care for it properly every day.  Also, is there an easy, fast way to remove line that I am not thinking of?

Should I try to do that oiling once a week/once a month?  Should I insist on doing it daily?  Anything in particular I SHOULD do daily beyond a good spray down?  (I am fishing from a kayak so my reel is definitely getting salty every day.)

Thanks for the advice, especially on the yearly maintenance - I will definitely send my reel in at season's end.

You don't need to oil everyday, just periodically. The application of a product such as Inox is a simple spray and wipe after you have dried your reel which can be done after every session quickly and easily.

You don't need to remove the line from the spool. I don't do this and have never had corrosion on the spool. I do however clean my lines with fresh water then with a line conditioner - this helps to preserve the line and can help with casting distance. I only do this for say 100m.

A clean down every day is vital and oiling say once a week/fortnight depending on how often you use it.

For the record, Chris is from Shimano Service and Spares - his department has pretty much set the standard for servicing in Australia if not the world.

[Brandon Khoo]

Thanks for clarifying where Chris is from, Luke. I was thinking "boy, this guys really know how to look after his gear!"