WA Reel Repairs & Services

19/11/2023

SHOULD I START SERVICING AGAIN?

I found myself wandering through the Seasport Tackle sale in JBay this morning and bumped into an old friend from the trade helping out. He urged me to start up again as there is a gaping hole in the reel servicing world. I have missed it, but I am only now getting the urge to start fishing again too. I stopped due to numerous reasons, covid, burnout, lack of premises and lack of customers willing to post reels as it was an added cost. The 400km drive home got me thinking and my wife said "maybe you should"?

So you heathen scoundrels, should the pirate make a comeback after a 3yr hiatus? Whacha reckon?

26/04/2021

When a fave is getting a bit long in the tooth, it's time to make her new again before parts are discontinued. This FJ still runs a felt drag, but it has been replaced a few times. The gears are flogged from unstoppables of the deep. The worm drive oscillation gives the spool more play than it originally had, and that was more than I liked! The parts cost almost as much as the reel did the day it was released and I would advise against this calibre of rebuild unless you have a sentimental attachment to it, but I love my FJ. My good mate John Devitt's grease I put in all those years ago has stood the test of time. The SAS Tasline 20lb, stained orange by Broome's pindan, will go another decade too. With new main, pinion, worm and pawl, shims, ctex drag, bearings and with JD's honey, his mate Cal Sheath's drag grease and my own secret oil, this classic will continue to serve me well into vintage territory.

15/04/2021

Oh dear... another dead '08.

15/04/2021

Look after your teeth kids... 😬

26/03/2021

Got me work cut out with this one...

26/03/2021

"I always rinse it, but it sounds a little bit crunchy!" 🤣 It also had siezed completely. It's a good thing he bought a Saragosa. It'll be sweet after a little WARRS love.

25/03/2021

Another "red death" victim. This Stradic 4000FJ felt like it had seen a car bonnet or 3 and had a bit of gear fatigue from heavy drag fights. It was the grease used in it's last service that has done the damage. It's abrassive quality really shortens the life of reels.

24/03/2021

I don't often share stuff from companies on here, but this caught my eye instantly! The faithful Stradic has been 'Gosafied 💪. I had an inkling something big was coming when I did the review of the Saragosa 5000SWA and the Vanford was announced, and here we are. Also answers my question of the lack of gearing options on the SWA 'Gosa.

This is what Shimano say about the differences in the 2...
"The Saragosa SW and Stradic SW are based on the same body design and both also feature Infinity Drive technology that originated from the Stella SW. The Stradic SW was originally developed for the Japanese market and differs with an increase in bearing capacity to 6+1, upgraded power handle k**b and it is also slightly lighter across all models 5k, 6k, 8k and 10k. The gear ratios between the two series vary in some models, for example the Stradic SW 10K is a HG, whereas the Saragosa 10K is a PG. Finally, the cosmetics are quite different!"

There's a new rock spinning weapon in town! 👊

The smooth and powerful Stradic SW includes X-Shield technology, an internal structure that helps keep water out and protects the internal gears.

Stradic SW available in 5000XG, 6000XG, 8000PG and 10000HG sizes, full specs -> bit.ly/stradicsw

📸 Salt Line Creative

23/03/2021

The owner thought he was maintaining his old Stella 10000SW by drenching it with Ballistol. Unfortunately, it just washed away the oils and greases. Only 3 of the 14 bearings survived, but she's better than new now and owner learned a lesson.

12/03/2021

The Ryobi Metaroyal 5000 is a beast you just don't see much these days. Built like a tank and with some very cool engineering, I would buy one if they were still on the market today. This one unfortunately was full of my most hated red death grease and the damage that has caused can be felt in the gears.

24/02/2021

Could be the end of of the road for another '08 Stella that has paid the price for a substandard service and lack of care and rinsing after use. This one is an 18000SW. Parts are become very scarce for the popular '08 series.

23/02/2021

I keep seeing this curious little scratch on the back of the main drive gear in many Shimano reels, in this case a Stradic 6000FJ. I presume it may be where they line the teeth up with the pinion gear at the time of assembly, but I have no idea as it shouldn't really make any difference. If anybody can shed some light on said scratch, I'd be keen to know! I have asked the wise men from the east at Shimano, but they are just as clueless. Bonus points for answers that make me laugh...