Fishing reels need proper care to operate smoothly without any malfunctioning. All types of reels have mechanical parts that should be lubricated generously. A lot of anglers have a common question i.e., what can I use to oil my baitcaster?
The answer is in the question itself i.e., reel oil and greases. Find the best baitcaster oil and give your reel all the care it deserves. Baitcasters are supposed to operate smoothly all the time to provide ideal castability and long-distance accuracy with no friction.
If you are looking for the best lubricant for baitcaster, our expert guide will help you find one. As experienced anglers, we swear by the PENN Reel Grease and Oil as the top lubricant and best oil for baitcasting reels.
Make sure to determine whether you have a freshwater or saltwater reel and choose the lube accordingly.
- 10 Best Oil For Baitcasting Reels
- 1. PENN Reel Grease and Oil – Overall Best Oil For Baitcasting Reels
- 2. Lucas Oil Product 10690 – Premium Oil For Baitcaster
- 3. CLENZOIL Marine & Tackle Oil – Best Fishing Reel Lubricant For Freshwater And Saltwater
- 4. Quantum Hot Sauce Fishing Reel Oil – Best Ultra-Low Viscous Reel Oil
- 5. Abu Garcia Reel Oil And Grease – Best Baitcaster Maintenance Kit
- 6. Daiwa 64110100 Oiler – Best Baitcaster Oil For Daiwa Reels
- 7. Ardent Reel Care – Best Baitcaster Oil For Freshwater Reel
- 8. Corrosion Technologies ReelX 77000 – Best Baitcaster Oil With Anti-Gumming Agent
- 9. Ardent Reel Oil – Best Baitcaster Butter Oil
- 10. Ardent Reel Care – Best Baitcaster Oil For Saltwater Reel
- Buying Guide
- FAQs
- Conclusion
10 Best Oil For Baitcasting Reels
1. PENN Reel Grease and Oil – Overall Best Oil For Baitcasting Reels
Penn has been a top choice when it comes to buying the best baitcaster oil. It comes in three choices i.e., oil only, grease only, or a pack including both. Whether you want to lube bearings, handle knobs, worm gears, line rollers, etc., this product is for all.
We loved how the oil comes in a dropper bottle for a super-easy application. Because of this, we were able to apply the right amount of oil with accuracy, making it the best all-around baitcaster oil. As a result, we enjoyed a super smooth retrieve and cast.
Pros
- Eliminates friction
- Easy to apply
- Suitable for saltwater reels
Cons
- Grease is very thick
Verdict
The Penn oil and grease work efficiently to save the reel from friction, corrosion, and rust.
2. Lucas Oil Product 10690 – Premium Oil For Baitcaster
If you want an effective oil that can mask the important mechanical parts of your reel, Lucas will never disappoint. If you wonder how to oil a baitcasting reel, this amazing product has solved your problem.
Its needle applicator makes penetration to the tightest parts very convenient. Compared to the dropper bottle, a needle applicator allows better precision and one-drop application. Because of these features, it stands out among its competitors and is considered a premium choice.
Pros
- Made out of 100% synthetic fishing lube
- Ideal for close spaces
- Works well in cold weather
Cons
- No size options
Verdict
Lucas Oil is the best fishing reel lube with a needle applicator. It keeps the reel safe from corrosion and resistance for a long time.
3. CLENZOIL Marine & Tackle Oil – Best Fishing Reel Lubricant For Freshwater And Saltwater
It is one of the best all-inclusive maintenance kits by Clenzoil. The package comes with everything an angler needs to keep their reel cleaned and lubricated. Out of all the items, the needle oil and syringe grease stand out. Its compatibility with saltwater and freshwater makes it the best baitcaster oil for anglers.
Similar to its premium competitors, these are super easy to apply. Not only can you apply oil with great accuracy but the syringe grease offers high precision as well. You will also get a microfiber cloth and swabs for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Accurate application
- All in one package
- Great for preventing corrosion
Cons
- Some people find grease syringe difficult to use
Verdict
If you are looking for the best baitcaster oil that has the ability to fight against stubborn saltwater corrosion, this product is for you.
4. Quantum Hot Sauce Fishing Reel Oil – Best Ultra-Low Viscous Reel Oil
Just like most anglers, we swear by this incredible reel oil by Quantum. Its ultra-low viscosity helps prevent corrosion and minimize friction damage and labels it as the best baitcaster oil. After a single use, we noticed a major change in the performance.
The baitcaster became super smooth and the retrieval was velvety too. To get the most amazing casting distances with uninterrupted performance, rely on this oil for regular lubrication. The tube packaging might not be highly precise for deeper penetration to closed parts.
Pros
- Ultra-low viscosity
- Suitable for saltwater reels
- Prevents conventional corrosion
Cons
- Not very convenient to lube tight parts
Verdict
All in all, the Quantum hot sauce oil is an efficient lubricant that every angler should have to keep their reel smooth.
5. Abu Garcia Reel Oil And Grease – Best Baitcaster Maintenance Kit
Nothing is better than investing in a high-end lubrication kit for your baitcaster that comes with all the right products. For example, this Abu Garcia kit includes needle oil, tube grease, a spray degreaser, and a few more essentials. All the convenience packed in a box makes the Abu Garcia kit an ideal choice.
We used the oil to lube the inner part of the spool. The screwdriver and open-end wrench that comes with the kit helped with disassembly. If you want the best grease for baitcaster, this one is highly efficient. After lubrication, we used the gear in salt water a couple of times and there was no rust or corrosion.
Pros
- Included tools help breakdown the reel
- Comes in an easy-to-carry case
- Oil can be applied on drags
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Verdict
The portable Abu Garcia oil and grease kit has everything an angler needs to preserve their baitcaster’s mechanical components.
6. Daiwa 64110100 Oiler – Best Baitcaster Oil For Daiwa Reels
When it comes to knowing how to oil Best Daiwa Baitcasting reels, the answer is the same i.e., a reel oiler. Though you can use one from any company as long as it is a fishing reel oil, many anglers prefer using Daiwa oil for their Daiwa baitcasting reel.
Our team found the results pretty satisfactory, thanks to the extremely easy application – easiest than any other oiler. The oil is quite runny as compared to other reel oils hence, might need frequent application. But, it does offer prominent results therefore, is called an excellent Daiwa reel oiler.
Pros
- One-drop easy dispense
- Inexpensive
- Can be used for other fine machinery
Cons
- Thin consistency requires more than normal lubrication
Verdict
Get the best fishing reel oil from Daiwa and maintain your baitcasting reels for smooth performance.
7. Ardent Reel Care – Best Baitcaster Oil For Freshwater Reel
Want to perform the best way to clean and oil baitcaster? Get your hand on this superb reel oil, grease, and cleaner. All of these products come in a single package, allowing you to clean and oil your freshwater baitcaster in one go.
We tested the Kleen cleaner on our highly corroded and rusty reel. To our surprise, it worked magically and made the reel look brand new. Similar results were achieved with the oil and grease. We call it the best baitcaster oil for freshwater reel because after lubrication, the casting and retrieval were insanely impressive.
Pros
- All-in-one pack
- Rust inhibitor
- Low viscous oil
Cons
- Not effective for saltwater reels
Verdict
Whether you want to remove the pre-build rust or prevent new one to accumulate, the Ardent reel care oil is ideal for all.
8. Corrosion Technologies ReelX 77000 – Best Baitcaster Oil With Anti-Gumming Agent
Though it is an amazing reel oiler but a forerunner when compared to the Penn or Lucas oils. It boasts a log plastic nozzle that makes it convenient to reach closely packed mechanical parts of the reel.
However, one thing that makes it unique from others is that it doesn’t contain any wax, silicone, or tar contents. Hence, the oil won’t build up on the reel components. That said, you will get a friction-free and silky-smooth performance. Because of 100% synthetic materials, this oil bonds to metal and ensures decent lubrication longevity.
Pros
- Doesn’t get gummy
- Protects reel parts from rust and corrosion
- Perfect viscosity
Cons
- Plastic nozzle is not as good as needle applicators
Verdict
Considering the pocket-friendly price and performance, this reel oil from Corrosion technologies is an excellent choice for anglers.
9. Ardent Reel Oil – Best Baitcaster Butter Oil
Is your baitcaster making a weird squeaking sound and not casting like it normally does? This could be due to increased friction in the mechanical parts of the reel. This product differs from all other options on our list today since it is a butter oil.
Compared to regular reel oil, it is slightly thick in consistency but less viscous than grease. Because of the thickness, we observed that this butter oil stays on the reel parts for quite a long time. Considering the longer stay and anti-gumming properties, this butter oil is indeed one of the best choices.
Pros
- Includes anti-gumming agent
- High surface tension
- Reduces reel noise
Cons
- No needle applicator
Verdict
Grab the Ardent butter oil for your baitcaster whether it is freshwater or saltwater and keep it maintained for the best performance.
10. Ardent Reel Care – Best Baitcaster Oil For Saltwater Reel
This is pretty much the same package as the aforementioned Ardent kit but this one is intended for saltwater baitcasting reels. If you want a high-performing oil and the best grease for baitcaster, Ardent would be an excellent choice.
Speaking of the oil, it is also a butter oil with a thick texture that requires less frequent maintenance. The most impressive property of this butter oil is that it can withstand all weather conditions. What makes this oil best is its ability to remove and prevent saltwater stains on the reel, making it look absolutely new all the time.
Pros
- Rust inhibitor
- Doesn’t gum on the reel
- Offers superior protection again corrosion
Cons
- Slightly pricey
- Doesn’t have a needle or syringe for application
Verdict
When it comes to buying a good quality oil and the best grease for baitcasting reel that comes in a single pack, the choices are scarce. However, this amazing all-in-one lubrication kit is a tremendous package for all anglers.
Related Guides:
Buying Guide
Following are some of the important properties that the best baitcaster oil should have. Make sure to consider these before purchasing.
1. Protection
The primary purpose of every reel oiler should be to protect the reel from rust and corrosion. While using the baitcaster reel, it comes in contact with fresh or saltwater that carries debris, sand, and various other particles.
If you leave your best saltwater baitcasting reels uncleaned and without lubrication, it causes rust and corrosion. Nothing is worse than rusty ball bearings. These drastically impact the castability and retrieval of the baitcaster. Prolonged use of corroded bearings can end up in the wear and tear of reel parts.
So, make sure to clean your baitcaster and look for a baitcaster oil that has the power to protect against such nasty buildup.
2. Viscosity
In simple words, the high the viscosity, the longer it will stay on the reel parts. Generally, oils are less viscous than grease. Whereas, butter oils flow slower than regular oils.
3. Weather Resistance
You never know when mother nature can become furious with humid conditions or become extremely cold. It is important that the reel oil you use doesn’t get affected by harsh weather conditions.
Typically, these lubricants lose their structural form when the environmental conditions get extreme. A weather-resistant oil will stay put on the mechanical parts of the baitcaster, ensuring a smooth performance throughout.
A thick oil or grease will turn even more viscous as the mercury drops. Therefore, if you fish on chilly days, it is better to use 100% synthetic reel maintenance oil. Similarly, on hotter days, reels must be maintained with thicker oil and grease.
4. Gumming
See those chunks of oil on your reel’s components? These are because of the gumming oils that build up over time on the baitcaster. Because of this, the fishing gear loses its performance and braking system malfunctions frequently.
Make sure that the one you are getting comes with anti-gumming. This will save you from degreasing your reel every now and then.
FAQs
1. How to grease and oil a baitcaster?
Use grease on the gears of a baitcaster and oil on other mechanical parts. These products come in a dropper or needle applicator which makes lubrication extremely convenient.
2. How to clean baitcaster bearings?
Remove the side plate on your baitcasting reel and expose the bearings. Pour a drop of oil into the center. For the other bearing, pull out the spool and lubricate. Cover the side plates back once done.
3. How often should you oil your baitcaster?
If you use your reel solely for freshwater fishing then, oil it one time every month. However, when used for saltwater fishing, it is suggested to rinse the reel with clean water and use a small amount of oil on the components.
Conclusion
Finding the best baitcaster oil comes with numerous key considerations. Don’t forget to check the protection properties and anti-gumming agents in the reel oil. Moreover, it must be suitable for the type of baitcaster you have i.e., freshwater and saltwater.
Our favorite product from the list and the overall best baitcaster oil is the PENN Reel Grease and Oil which is extremely easy to apply. It also works well for fresh and saltwater baitcasting reels.
