Do you clean your rods and reels after every trip and if so what do you do? I'm fishing freshwater with low profile baitcasters and just wondered if I should wipe them down with a damp cloth or something. I just got back into fishing last summer and want to take good care of my equipment. Thanks for any advice.

Yes, I spray them with water and then reel magic on line and reel.

nope. but all my reels are 5500/6500 ambassadeurs, and im fishing freshwater. they get cleaned and lubed once a year. otherwise, nope. they go from the boat to the garage. still covered in shad scales usually.

when we lived on the coast, reels got thoroughly rinsed after each trip.

Every 3-4 trips.

no, once a year

I don't do anything until a reel needs servicing. Then I break it down clean and relube it.

every trip = almost every day ...nope . just when they need it

every salt water trip every reel gets sprayed

I clean mine EVERY trip if it was in saltwater (I don't do much, like maybe one or 2 trips a year), and that includes breaking down the the frame and relubing and this is after the immediate rinse when they come off the water.

In fresh, I might oil my bearings and clean up the outside about once ever 7-10 trips and fully relube about once a year. Considering I kayak, I also fully relube when/if a reel gets fully dunked in freshwater.

I store all my reels inside my house, but you'd probably need to oil/relube more often if you stored your reels outside or somewhere without climate control.

I never clean my tackle. My rods and reels have method on them so long now, it's now like like cement. All my rods & reels are scratched, they look like real tools of the trade.

With fresh water, just rinse and wipe along with the occasional oil to appropriate locations to ensure smooth operation.

With salt water, rinse and wipe after every trip!!! the salt deposit will kill your gears....I learned the hard way.

By doing this, my gears will last the entire year before I do the complete tear down unless your equipment gets dunk. Be kind to your gear and they will last a lifetime...

Once a year.