Reel Service Feedback

[Tawn]

Marty texted me and ask me to post feedback on my experience with Rick Reel Service of The Hull Truth fame.

I sent Rick six Penn 460 Liveliners and two Penn 113H for service. I shipped them UPS and insured them for $1000. It cost me about $50 to ship them to him in Florida. I should have used USPS.

The Liveliners are 4 years old and have had fairly hard use recreationally, on the charter boat and I have used them hook & line fishing. Other than hosing them off, I have never done anything with them. They weren't broke but I really like them and felt guilty so I had Rick do a basic clean, inspect and lube on them. He did not find any problems and did a very nice job tuning them up - they came back looking and feeling like new. He charged $25 a reel for the spinning reel service.

The Penn 113H's are old - I bought them used a long time ago. Rick placed one as a early 70's and the other mid 70's to early 80's. I use all Penn 330's except for these two that I use on my deep, boat rods. I kind of like that they are old - kinda nostalgic. Anyway - they were showing their age - drags had to be tightened down all the way to hold a 28oz in-line with an umbrella and they had some corrosion issues. Rick basically restored them to nearly new condition replacing the corroded parts and upgraded the drags to Carbon-Tex drag washers.

Price breakdown is:
Clean & service Penn 113's: $23 per reel
Install Carbon-tex drag: $16 per reel
Replace two new trim rings: $16.60
Replace two posts: $8.30

10% discount for eight or more reel service package

The return shipping via USPS was $14.00

Overall I was very happy with his service.

His website is: http://www.ricksreelservice.com/Home_Page.php

The thread on THT is: http://www.thehulltruth.com/sportfis...h-upgrade.html and http://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-...l-service.html


NOW.....I have a friend, a co-worker, and a fellow retired U.S. Navy Chief who is local and is looking to get into the reel service business as a hobby. He has been doing all the reel warranty work for Reel Draggin Tackle and has worked on and repaired reels off the charter boat for us over the past year. He is near St Leonard, near Solomons, and has my highest recommendation as well. He has given me permission to post his name and number. He is Chris Vassallo and his cell is 240-216-8348. He does have school age children and we start work at 0530 so please don't call him late.

Hope this helps in case anyone is looking to get their gear tweaked over the winter.