I am going to Florida in a few days and am considering bringing a baitcaster and a spinning reel to fish off the pier...Whats the story on clean up of the reel after being in salt water... will it cause permanent damage to the reel and is it worth bringing.

If the reel wasn't made to be used in a salty environment, then I wouldn't use it in one...

"Fresh water reels are not sealed and protected internally like saltwater reels are"

But if you have no other way to be able to fish in that environment, then you will have to take steps to maintain the reel/s after each outing.

After each fishing trip, remove the spool and soak in fresh water, thoroughly rinse the reel body with a light spray of fresh water. Thorough cleaning after each saltwater trip is very important to the life and dependability of your reel.

The reason for this is that every time saltwater gets on the reel and dries, it leaves a microscopic coating of "crystalline" salt residue. This salt coating will not only attack the components in the reel but will create the same wearing and / or binding effect as sand or dirt.

After the saltwater and saltwater residue is rinsed from the reel, use a clean dry cloth to remove the excess water from the reel and spool. Then, using a good quality lubricant that contains "corrosion inhibitors," apply a light coating on the reel.

If the saltwater gets into the reel/s, then you are surely going to have to have the reel/s professionally serviced (unless you have the ability to do the work yourself), this will mean a complete break down of the reel/s. Cleaning of all internal parts and a complete re-lube of the reel/s.

I recommend using products designed for fishing reels.

Good Luck..

Tight Lines!!!