Corpusfishing.com

prod1816 · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Central Texas

Mind you, I don't post here often. I love the coast, and when time allows, I make my time to go. Living in San Antonio, it's tough to go as much as I'd like.

So when I went to the Port Mansfield tourney at the end of September, I left the wife and kids (and some cash to keep 'em happy) and headed down with the BIL and his coworker.

Anyway, condtions were bad: raining, choppy, and windy. Like flip me over in the yak windy. Lucky, reels were all accounted for and only 1 fell into the Laguna.

So need it clean. Took it to Reel Improvements, and was disappointed in the service. All I wanted was a cleaning (submerged reel). Thing was brand new. It's been gifted 3 Christmases and decided to take it out for the first time. Owner says the stabilizer bar was frozen, so broke at threads.

Expected repair, but just siliconed bar entry hole. Says corrosion caused the break. I'm no metallurgist, but that reel has only seen salt-water once (that day). Can't see corrosion causing that to freeze or break.

Anyway, still charges full price for "cleaning" the reel. Replaced the main bearing for another $10, and did not repair the parts he broke. Thirty bucks, and didn't even consider a discount.

Not real pleased with the service or work done on the reel. Can't say I would recommend for repair work on your fishing equipment.

Savageman · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:27 pm Post subject:

You're in San Antonio so next time use Matthew's Rod & Reel Repair. Good people.

ironmanstan · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:56 am Post subject:

What kind of reel is it/brand ?
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Lone-star · Pony Mullet Joined: 02 Apr 2013 Posts: 90

I'll second Matthews in San Antonio. Ive sent several chronarch 100s to him to be repaired/restored and he always does a great job. The reels come back in such good shape I'm hesistant to even use them.

BayFly · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:57 am Post subject:

I hate to see businesses bashed on the web, because there are always two sides to the story. Where saltwater related corrosion is concerned, it can happen over night, so if the reel was not washed out throughly with WD40 or a similar product very soon after the dunking, it could have been rendered worthless and beyond repair in hours. The best advice I can offer anyone is to learn how to maintain your gear, especially if you are going to use it in the salt! I am constantly reminded of how corrosive saltwater is when I pick up a piece of gear and the metal parts are corroded or starting to corrode. WD40, CorrosionX, plumber's silicon grease, and Lime-A-Way or similar products are our friend when dealing with saltwater related corrosion. Learn how and when to use them and your gear will last a lot longer. Smile

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:15 pm Post subject:

Remember the old adage: "If you want something done right, do it yourself".

Not being a smarta$$ here, just saying amen to the last poster's thoughts. Reel repair is definitely not rocket science: i started doing it in the 5th grade and have never had a reel "professionally" repaired or cleaned. With very darn few exceptions over all these years, a reel that is given a freshwater rinse after each trip to the salt and has the external moving pieces sprayed down with a tad of WD40, rarely needs any repair. If I feel the reel starting to get a little tight or stiff, that is a darn sure tell tale sign that it needs to be disassembled, cleaned and lubed well.

Two summers back I was landing a Jack on the south jetty at Sebastian Inlet, standing at the water's edge on a rock. A wave or two came through and completely submerged my quite moderately priced, many years old spinner. That reel became super tight in no time and was locked up when I got home.
Sprayed it down with the hose, then took it apart to clean and lube. It went from locked up to smooth as butter!

Still, sorry about your problem. Good luck.
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Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

Mad Dog · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:19 pm Post subject:

Just had a Penn Battle cleaned and two guides replaced on the rod by Reel Improvements. The reel needed two bearings. I have not used the combo yet but the reel seems fine and the rewrap looks great. Can't tell which ones are new. I'll hold judgement until I can put them to the test. Matthew's is good too. Used them a few years back.

Dave, I had cleaned that reel myself but missed the bad bearings. Just wanted see if I could find a reliable service.

MD Wink

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landlocked beachbum · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:15 am Post subject:

Hey Charles, to each their own brother. Very Happy

I usually have not enough work, with the ensuing lack of funds and plenty of spare time. I realize that ain't the model for many others. Still, just like a car problem: educating one's self on the less complicated or techical aspects of repair can save you lots of money and/or keep one from taking it where the sun doesn't shine!!! Shocked

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Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

prod1816 · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Central Texas

I'm pretty handy with cleaning/dismantling my own reels, most of the time I don't dunk them and for this time around, thought I'd do it right. It was an AC500PT from Quantum. More parts then my Penn spinners or Abu baitcasters. Again, this is the first time this reel has seen the coast.

I usually use just a light pressure hose rinse and Reel Magic thoroughly before I store them. Like Mad Dog, just looking for a place with reliable service.

Not trying to bash Reel Improvements, just giving my evaluations based on my own experiences. That's it.