Today while hunting I saw a creek that looked like it had some good fishing potential and as I was walking along the rocks, I slipped and fell and dunked my reel in the water... but only for a second. what should I do? it's a spinning reel and the water was crystal clear if that helps at all. 

19 minutes ago, E-DOG said:

Today while hunting I saw a creek that looked like it had some good fishing potential and as I was walking along the rocks, I slipped and fell and dunked my reel in the water... but only for a second. what should I do? it's a spinning reel and the water was crystal clear if that helps at all. 

Dry it off on the outside and go on with your day. Most reels will stand a dunking or two just as long as you don't leave it in water for hours. If you are really concerned, open it up, clean the grease out, lube it up and close it. 

Take off the spool and check for any water that might have gotten inside and wipe it out. Other than that, can’t think what else you need to do. 

Put it some place warm. If you have a space heater that blows air not the oil filled kind, you can blow that on it and it will dry the insides (just don't make it too hot).

 

In the warmer weather, it will dry itself.

You hunt with a fishing rod? 

 

Just let it dry, it's be fine.

4 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

You hunt with a fishing rod? 

 

Just let it dry, it's be fine.

I think I'm just going to relube it because it is a little less smooth than before, I think the water made the lube lose its "lubiness" .

If it was one of mine I would take it apart.

I would'nt think too much about it, now given you said it only was in for a second, was it shallow there? Did it kick gravel/dirt up? I would be more worried about dirt and stuff getting up in it then dunking it in the water.

27 minutes ago, JoshFromBolo said:

I would'nt think too much about it, now given you said it only was in for a second, was it shallow there? Did it kick gravel/dirt up? I would be more worried about dirt and stuff getting up in it then dunking it in the water.

the water was less than a foot deep, Im not sure if it was some small sediment that got in the reel or if the grease broke down is what is making it less smooth. I'm going to fish with it tomorrow and then take it apart and clean and lube it.

A quick dunk will not break the grease down.  You may be really looking for something since you dunked it.  Opening the reel is pretty easy, no need to take it down any more than checking the condition of the grease on the main gears.  It may have been ready for some attention before the dunk.  Leave it open in a warm place for a while.  + a drop of oil at all pivot points, bail roller, grips, etc. 

 

As stated many times above, it should not be a big deal.

No, a momentary dunk in clear water is not catastrophic. Lay it out to dry as suggested and lube obvious points if it makes you feel better. 

On 10/20/2018 at 9:21 PM, E-DOG said:

 I think the water made the lube lose its "lubiness" .

LMAO!!!! 

 

I'm gonna use that in the bike shop from now on...

A quick dunk is no different than fishing in the rain.

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

A quick dunk is no different than fishing in the rain.

YUP

On 10/20/2018 at 10:26 PM, E-DOG said:

the water was less than a foot deep, Im not sure if it was some small sediment that got in the reel or if the grease broke down is what is making it less smooth. I'm going to fish with it tomorrow and then take it apart and clean and lube it.

That loss of 'smoothness' is common for spinning reels that get dunked or used in extended rainy conditions.   As @Delaware Valley Tacklehas explained to me, wet drag washers on some spinning reels cause a little temporary 'balkiness'.  When fully dried out, it'll be fine.