Would vibrations and a grinding feeling in a baitcast mean it’s time for new bearings? 

Something else? What can I do to make older reels feel new and smooth again?

thanks

It’s disassemble it check and replace the bearings, oil and grease it. Or replace it. Determine wether it’s worth repairing or replacing.

 

Fact,,,First I noticed a noisy reel can send that noise down the line like a guitar string into the water. I fished a sucluded hidden pond once with a cheap spinning reel that the bass wore out. I was reeling in when a sunfish was angled and like listening were my line entered the water. This told me my noisy reel was sending noise into the water. I purchased a new reel.

1 hour ago, bigbill said:

It’s disassemble it check and replace the bearings, oil and grease it. Or replace it. Determine wether it’s worth repairing or replacing.

 

Fact,,,First I noticed a noisy reel can send that noise down the line like a guitar string into the water. I fished a sucluded hidden pond once with a cheap spinning reel that the bass wore out. I was reeling in when a sunfish was angled and like listening were my line entered the water. This told me my noisy reel was sending noise into the water. I purchased a new reel.

wow interesting never thought of it that way.

It's more than likely the main gear and pinion gear that need to be replaced. You can tear the reel down and clean the pinion bearing. That will cause grinding if it's bad but what you're describing is likely gears not meshing. you can clean them and put some fresh grease on but, while grease is necessary, it is a band aid initially. If the gears are bad, new grease will eventually spread in the teeth to lubricate and they grinding will be back.  Could be as simple as a failing AR bearing, too. 

It really depends on the model. they all behave slightly differently with wear or malfunction. Grinding usually isn't a bearing in an LP baitcaster, bearings get slower and or squeak more often than grind. Grinding can be worn drive gear, worn leve lwind parts, or something coming loose. Did it gradually get there or did it start grinding all at once? That can give you a hint. Worse case scenario, excuse for a new reel.