Whether you are fishing for fun or commercial purposes, one thing that cuts across all anglers is the need to maintain the gear well. It increases your fishing gear longevity, saving you the money you would have spent replacing your reels often.
Equally important, your fishing reels stay in good condition throughout. Consequently, your angling experience will always be efficient, successful, and fun.
Whereas that’s obvious, how should you clean the gear? Can you use CLP on fishing reels?
Here’s a discussion on the answer to this million-dollar question. It answers the quiz while tackling CLP and fishing reel maintenance more.
What Are the Meaning, Purpose, and Applications of CLP?
CLP is a product known for its versatility and usefulness in many situations. It is an abbreviation for cleaning, lubricating, and protecting, which preempts its purpose.
It is known for various uses, including maintaining firearms and fishing reels. Here are details of these three functions of CLP
Cleaning (C)
CLP will remove contaminants on your fishing reel, including grime and dirt. It is famous among anglers thanks to its effectiveness.
Why not, since one of its components is a solvent? It is responsible for breaking down impurities and dissolving them to clean the fishing reel without jeopardizing its functionality.
Lubricating (L)
Friction is known for accelerating wear and tear. However, lubricating your fishing reel reduces it, thus enhancing its durability.
Equally important, it facilitates the necessary movement for successful angling. Its operation becomes smooth, and the performance improves, making fishing fun.
Protecting (P)
Better safe and sorry, and that’s why CLP also has a protective component. It inhibits corrosion, thus ensuring the fishing reel doesn’t rust.
It explains why CLP is recommended for anglers fishing in saltwater. This environment accelerates corrosion, and CLP counteracts it by inhibiting it, a perfect balance.
Can I Use CLP On All Types of Fishing Reels
Fortunately, the fishing reel you have doesn’t determine whether you can use CLP. There is no record of a single fishing reel adversely affected by this product.
So, CLP never disappoints whether you use the fly, baitcasting, or spinning fishing reels. It is such versatility that it has seen it become famous among anglers.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using CLP on Fishing Reels?
Nevertheless, CLP is a product that has advantages and disadvantages. Here are the two sides of using it on your fishing reel;
Advantages of Using CLP on Fishing Reels
The advantages of using CLP on fishing reels include the following;
- Acknowledging that CLP is a versatile product compatible with different fishing reels is good. Consequently, you can share it with your family members and friends or use it after replacing your reel with a different type, thus saving money.
- CLP is easy to use whether you are a beginner or an expert in angling. You won’t struggle or break a sweat when applying it; most people appreciate simplicity for obvious reasons.
- CLP is responsible for various maintenance functions for fishing reels, including cleaning, lubricating, and protecting. It is, therefore, sufficient to use only one product, thus saving you the effort, time, and money you would spend using several products.
Disadvantages of Using CLP on Fishing Reels
The disadvantages of using CLP on fishing reels include the following;
- Whereas the end justifies the means, using the most appropriate product for a particular task is advisable. Whereas CLP does the job, it isn’t as effective as some products designed specifically to maintain fishing reels
- It also increases the chances of over-lubricating your fishing reel since its consistency is relatively thin. Upon applying excess CLP, it builds up over time, jeopardizing its performance.
Why Must You Clean Your Fishing Reels?
One can understand where one is coming from upon asking such a question. After all, angling occurs in water which you will need to clean, and if that’s so, what would be the purpose of cleaning your fishing reel?
However, never assume it is enough reason not to bother cleaning it. The same water that cleans your fishing reels is also responsible for other bad things that make cleaning necessary.
For instance, the water contains particles that build up around the fishing reels. Grime and dirt thrive under such conditions, and the consequences include fishing gear and ball bearings corrosion.
As the gear corrodes, the corrosion jeopardizes its durability and efficiency. Consequently, retrieving the gear after a catch becomes hard, and securing it is often too late.
Corrosion will also lower the fishing reel’s cranking power. Some anglers also notice unevenness and the eventuality of a useless fishing reel.
Whereas it happens in fresh water, worst-case scenarios are common in fishing reels used in saltwater. Corrosion accelerates when the water conditions are salty.
That’s why you must clean your fishing reels to avoid this menace, corrosion. It ensures that the fishing reel doesn’t suffer the sad fate of being rendered useless over time.
What Else Can You Use on Fishing Reels Instead of CLP?
As mentioned earlier, CLP wasn’t specifically designed for maintaining fishing reels. With such background information, one might hesitate to use it.
If you are one of them, you can try out its alternatives. The ones that match its performance include the following;
- Silicone spray lubricants: It is ideal for salty environments since it prevents your fishing reel from corrosion, that’s common in such conditions. It is also a great lubrication making it suitable for maintaining your gear, and its water resistance is also worth mentioning.
- Fishing reel oil and grease: Its name says it all, and that’s its major difference compared to CLP. It was designed to maintain fishing reels specifically, and the list of the benefits of using products designed for a certain task is indisputable.
What Are the Important Tips for Your Fishing Reel’s Proper Maintenance
Despite how good the products are, including CLP, other things matter. Remember the following since they can make a huge difference;
- After fishing in saltwater, thoroughly rinse your fishing reels with fresh water, thus removing any salt residue to prevent rapid corrosion.
- Ensure that the brush is soft and the cleaner is gentle on your gear
- Since it is essential to disassemble the reel before washing, be as careful as possible while at it. The same applies to reassembling and referencing manuals and tutorials can help.
- Some components, especially the moving ones, including bearings and gears, need more attention during lubrication.
- Over-lubricating can do more harm than good hence the need to apply it sparingly.
- Inspect the fishing reel regularly to identify issues early and act on them before it is too late.
- Storing it in a reel cover protects it from dirt and dust
- The place you keep the fishing reel should also be cool and dry to prevent damage and corrosion
