Winter has rolled in. The fishing season has rolled out.

There’s only one thing for an angler to do.

Tackle maintenance.

Reel maintenance is a must at some point.

Lubricants and cleaners that make the reel work smoothly and prolong life should be applied, no matter whether other maintenance is done.

That’s basic.

Penn, the tackle company, is also basic: the granddaddy of them all.

Many believe the original is best, so here’s a quick rundown of the company’s lubes and cleaners.

Synthetic Reel Oil

The company’s Synthetic Reel Oil
can be applied to parts including worm gears, ball bearings, spool shafts, crank shafts, rotor pins, springs, oscillating plates and more.

The benefits include rust and corrosion protection, lubricating, smoother operation, longer casts, cleaning, and extended life, the company says.

A reel cleaner, such as Penn’s Synthetic Rod and Reel Cleaner,
should be applied first for best results.

Synthetic Reel Oil comes in a 2-ounce drip-cap bottle, a 4-ounce
drip-cap bottle and 4-ounce and 12-ounce spray bottles.

Precision Reel Grease

Penn’s Precision Reel Grease should be used when grease is the preferred lubricant, such as on main gears, crank gears, pinion gears and bushings.

It’s superior compared with conventional greases when it comes to lubricity,
wear protection, water stability, load carrying capacity and rust protection,
the company says.

It’s also meant to provide performance over a wide temperature range.

The reel should first be cleaned, and then the Precision Reel Grease should be applied sparingly on any parts recommended in the reel’s maintenance manual.

Precision Reel Grease comes in a 2-ounce jar or a 1-pound jar.

Synthetic Rod and Reel Cleaner

Synthetic Rod and Reel Cleaner is sprayed on rods and reels to break down corrosion and build-up. It works on any rod, any metal or any metal composite, the company says.

The spray can even be used on line and also on equipment such as downriggers, motors, trailers, wenches, pulleys or any equipment that can rust.

It also helps prevent corrosion and repel water.

On rods and reels apply a minimal amount, then gently wipe clean.  Apply the cleaner liberally to problem
areas like severely rusted parts, allowing time for the product to
penetrate. Use sparingly on electrical contacts.

Synthetic Rod and Reel Cleaner comes
in a 4-ounce spray bottle and a 12-ounce
spray bottle.

Penn also offers an Anglers Combo Pack with a ½-ounce bottle of Synthetic Reel Oil and a
1-ounce jar of Precision Reel Grease.

For more info, visit the Penn Reels web site,
and click on Lubricants.