I'm looking for somewhere to get some reels cleaned, lubricated, and maintenanced. Primarily a new model Shimano Stradic.

When I was talking to the guy at Sportsmans Warehouse today, he recommended Southwest Parts and told me they would take really good care of it. He gave me there number as well, and I'm thinking I will probably head over there tomorrow if I get a chance.

Just wondered if anyone here has any experience with taking equipment, specifically reels, to Southwest Parts, and how they did.

Does anyone have any better recommendations?

I just picked one up this week from there. I have not used it yet but it is as smooth as new. Total cost was about $22. The only bad thing was it took about 3 weeks. I sure this was because of the time of year. Even at 3 weeks I will use them in the future. I would say give them a try.

Thanks for the reply. I will check them out, 3 weeks is a long time to go without my reels though. But it's worth it for really good work, just don't know what I'll fish with in the meantime. I'll check them out and see how long they think it will take.

I have purchased several of there Shimano referb reels...very very pleased with the price and the quality of the reels purchased.

I would recommend them to anyone looking for reel work here in the Metromess!!

Bunkfish

I agree with everyone else, I've been a frequent customer for years ,I primarily have abu garcia bait and spin cast.On several visits the parts were covered under the mfg.warranty and I just had to handle the labor on a few occassions the repairs were minor and were done while I waited.As others have said the have several shelves of all kinds of re-condtioned reels that sell for a fraction of what you would pay for them new!There is your answer as to what you will fish with until you get yours back!!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I am definitely planning to head over there just to have a look at all their refurbished stuff if nothing else. I'll bring my two reels to let them have a look. They do not need any serious repair ( That I know of ) just need to be professionally cleaned, maintenanced, and lubricated. So maybe they could do that quickly.

Then again if they examine them they might want to replace bearings or something else. If so I'd probably leave them one reel at a time.

There is a nice Okuma rod/reel combo I saw at Sportsmans Warehouse that I am considering buying to add to my stockpile. I could use that in the meantime if I got it too.

Would like to get some cheap reels but then I'd have to buy rods too...

I'm hoping to head over there tomorrow morning, or sometime Monday.

I went there when I was younger and it was primarily an Abu Garcia place. Probably around 1988.
I had broken my fishing rod in the a door at my house and took it with me to find a replacement.
Long story short they traded me my broken rod for a brand new one. Wow...I felt like the luckiest kid ever.
A+ in my book.

I took a old reel in to them it was a garcia black max paid 29$ for it with a rod 16 years ago told them to call me if they could fix it and how much because it was a cheap reel. Well when they called they said I owed them like 58$ needless to say that was one they put up for sale. They could have saved some time if they would have called first.

they have serviced my shimano long cast for a couple of years now...only people that would agree to do it as they are a import only reel...top notch...gave a lone star carp brigade shirt to one of the guys last year that said he love to fish for buff's at the vine

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definitely be checking them out. Sorry your experience wasn't so good Champion.

Oh yeah Zack? That's awesome. Maybe I'll wear my Carp Brigade Tshirt down there when I go, now that I've found it. Be cool if they recognized it.

I dropped off a Chronarch there a few weeks ago for a stuck reel depression button & was shocked they only charged me .72 cents for a spring.Hands down they get my repeat business.Your in good hands friend.

About a month ago I took two abu garcias to them. I told them to make them like new. So after two weeks and a little over $60 later I had my two reels back. They felt like new, very smooth. But after taking them fishing things went down hill fast with both reels. I was using the 5501 as a worm reel, when I feel a a bite, so I set the hook only to have the spool start spinning free And the other one started feeling "unsmooth" after about 20 or 30 cast. So, as far as I am concerned I will not take my business to them anymore.

These guys also repair Canon downriggers........very dependable shop.

Water Surge,

I've had that problem with a couple Garcia Baitcasters. They were both cheap-o reels...don't know about yours.