Reel Neglect

Since I wasn't fishing today, I thought I'd open up one of my reels to see what was causing it to periodically malfunction.  This reel has seen some saltwater so I figured it was due for some lube.  Below is a picture of the interior.  So, here is what I learned:  dismantle and grease often, especially if used in the salt.  Also, I'll personally not waste money on cheap reels anymore.  This one is an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Kalix 61.  Although Abu's are probably good reels, I think I'll either get another Penn or try Daiwa.  Need to get this salmon rod working again.

Do you know if  this model reel made in China or Sweden?

It's the China one. I killed two of those. The C4s hold up MUCH better.

you do realize Kalex is only rated for freshwater, right? they downgraded it for saltwater use about 5 years ago.. it's also been rated one of their worst reels ever by their own people.

Doesn't look to bad to me.   If  you're going to chuck then,  send them to me and I'll have a go at them.

I prefer the cheep ones , less maintenance cuz at $10-$20 there throwable. The expensive ones do work much better but take a lot longer to put away due to the cleaning and oiling. IMHO

I love my Daiwa Sealine line counter SG27LC.  It is all I use for Salmon on the salt or rivers any more.  It is awesome when you hook a fish to know exactly how much line you had out after landing it so you know where to catch the next one.   So far, after 2 1/2 years it has held up very well with just rinsing it off after being out on the salt.  I also use it for trolling for lings on the reefs.

you do realize Kalex is only rated for freshwater, right? they downgraded it for saltwater use about 5 years ago.. it's also been rated one of their worst reels ever by their own people.

Ever look at the Chinese made Abu Garcia 6500 S.  Total POS out of the box.  As to the Abu C3 and C4's, with a dash of Corrosion X on each bearing, Cal's drag grease on the carbon washers, and a very light coating of waterproof marine grease on everything else but the spool....you can give it a thorough rinse after each trip and check its interior in the off season and still have a nearly new reel for years. Been running my C3 6500 since 2008 this way on my main ocean rod.  Still looks and works like new (minus some minor scuffs here and there).

Hey, I own and fish two Kalex and several other Abu's when I can get out to do so. I like them so much I used to get their old technical newsletters. That's when I found out Kalex had been decertified as a salt water reel. Too many were failing, simply because they weren't designed for the rigors of that environment.

There are a multitude of testimonials regarding the durability of the Abu Garcia reels. One that comes to mind is from the sons of a late Galveston Island resident whose collection of reels were literally buried in sea salt impregnated sand for several months after a significant hurricane wiped the neighborhood off the beach. One son took them in, cleaned them up, repaired the few that needed springs, screws or whatever, and those reels are now fishing again in the hands of the grandkids.

I think most any decently made reel can stay in use for a very long time if you take care of them. Look to Alan Tani's website for proof of that. He's had some serious basket cases come to him that he documented as either full restoration to service or return as unreparable. And knowing a bit of polepoles' reputation, if that Kalex was sent to him, he would rebuild it too.

But, if your philosophy is use 'em and toss 'em, hey, that's your business. 

I didn't know it was only rated for freshwater.  I guess my main lesson is to grease things well and pull them apart now and again to inspect.  I'm going to get a good line counter reel and add extra grease on day one.

Allen, I'll throw it in the box with the rest of my retired reels and hand it to you at ORC next year if I can remember.  If you look closely those two little springs are destroyed an I didn't want to waste time replacing them.

I have the AG Revo Toro Winch. It is an awesome reel. I have used it for years on over sized sturgeon, bottom fishing the ocean or whatever else big out there. I rinse it off after each foray out on the salt. Took it apart just recently and it still looks brand new inside. 

If anyone wants to send me their reels and I can get them working again, I'll gladly donate them to HOW or some other organization in need to reels.

-Allen

I ended up getting this Okuma 203dlx.  Was in Bi Mart for something else and it was on sale for $80.  I was planning on going higher end, but the deal was good and now I'm super impressed with the performance.  I already got a few salmon with it. Out of the box I disassembled it and packed it full of grease to help reduce saltwater intrusion. 

That's a good bargain. I've seen them retail for as much as $130.00.

Good luck out there