First Baitcaster

Question
Hi

I have just purchased my first baitcaster, to use for catfishing, it is a Penn 209, first off, is this a good reel, i was casting it earlier and it casts alot further than my spinning combo. the thing i really need to know is that everyone says you have to lube,grease,and oil baitcasters. is this true, if so how do i do this.

Thanks for the help
Marshall

Answer
Hi Marshall,

The Penn 209 is actually a trolling reel.  That said, a lot of Cat fishermen and East Coast Surf casters use them for casting.  The new ones with the aluminum spools cast much easier than the older ones with the steel spools.  If this is your first baitcaster and you master casting with a 209, you will be a champ with any other baitcaster.  

As far as cleaning and maintaining a 209, they are a pretty tough maintenance-free reel.  Day to day, keep dirt and sand out of the level-wind pawl.  Other than that, a few drops of oil on the levelwind pawl, the spool shaft ends (the caps on each side plate), and reel handles are about all you need to do on a regular basis.  Maintenance is dictated by use.  For a fishing guide using them every day, you'd want to do this once a week.  For a weekend angler using them once a week, probably once every two to three months is fine.  For an occasional angler, once a year may be fine.  Probably the most important thing us to wipe them down and get rid of dirt, sand, and bait gunk after every use.  

As far as breaking them down and re-greasing them and cleaning them from the inside-out, once a year max.  And that's if you are using it frequently.  

Penns are really tough and will give you years of service.  Follow the lube instructions that came with the reel.  I think Penn even gives you a tube of oil with the reel.  NO WD-40!!!  It's a great cleaner but only a temporary lube.  And in fact, WD-40 sprayed into the wrong area can actually prevent oil and grease from staying where it should on a reel part.

Good luck and catch some big Cats!!