I understand wanting the longer casting freer spools, but the large majority of us use the spool brake anyhow. That defeats all the performance upgrades that allow free spool enhancement. So is this free spool test a useful gauge or just something that makes you feel that you have a better setup? I realize some people do not use the brake and prefer to thumb the spool. That takes some experience and skill to perfect.

Anyone have a breakdown of a spinning reel? More specifically a Shimano Sienna FD 2500? Anythin remotely close would be helpful at least. I need to clean this thing, been over a year since its been cleaned with all saltwater use. It is getting a bit rough to reel.

hmmmm, looks complicated. I guess I will just wait untill I get some money and get it serviced. Thanks thoguh.

Go see or give Matt a call from Matthew's Rod and Reel. I got some of the Rocket Fuel oil that he sells there and it is great stuff. I am pretty sure he has forgotten more about rods and reels than most people will ever know. He also did some custom work on a few rods that looks as good if not better than factory.

nice pics Matt!

I might have missed something in the thread but using ceramic bearings (dry) makes a massive difference in attracting and/or holding dirt in the bearings PLUS the added performance is remarkable. Boca Bearings has 2 types, ABEC #5 and the ABEC #7 ceramic, which are phenomenal.

If it slides grease it. If it rotates oil it.

I use oil for deep frying and grease for baking.

Has anyone tried WD-40's new lubricants? They have a dry teflon coating one, and a few other varieties.

I use reel butter oil for my bearings and a grease from a hobby store I used for my Nitro powered R/C car and buggy that have actual differentials in them.

Cool

I�m only using baitcast reels. I use Super Lube grease on the gears and Penn Reel oil (same oil as X-1R) on all bearings. On the worm gear, I usually use Super Lube oil since it has a higher viscosity than the Penn oil. I�d rather keep oil on the worm gear and am not concerned with whatever minimal effect this oil might have on retrieve. I�ve also used Hoppe�s oil on the worm gear, since it also has a high viscosity. I never use grease on the worm gear, since it tends to attract and hold sand and grit. For drag washers, I�ve been using Shimano Ace RB #2 drag grease. I have two Daiwa baitcast reels that came with special light oil for use only the spool bearings and I�ll use it on those reels until it runs out. All I know about it is that it is light oil and it works. I�ve never used WD-40 on a reel, however. Isn�t it a solvent that loosens and washes out grease?

But I found the comment by LexyFishing, referencing alantani, extremely interesting and informative. Great comment. I am going to give it some thought and check it out.

Don't use either, I always use reel magic for everything from line, to gears, to even the rod.

Don't use either, I always use reel magic for everything from line, to gears, to even the rod.