I have nice reels that get A LOT of use and really don't know how to or where to oil the reels and I can tell they need it as I've probably lost 40% distance and notice their not as smooth any more (baitcasters by the way)

side question, do you remove the line? please advise and be as descriptive as possible, very much appreciated   as I don't want to damage my nice stuff.  Most are shimano if that matters...

Check out the reel mechanics web site or consult the instruction manuals that came with the reels.

I think for basic maintenance you can leave the line on.

i really don't want to be without my reels for any amount of time, is there any advice for me to just oil and lubricate them myself?

Nope, not for a thorough cleaning and lubrication, which it sounds like

you need. For rountine "oiling" you simply oil all moving parts on the

exterior of the reel. Unless you have been trained or are very

mechanically inclined, I would not open the reel.

The other solution is to find someone locally to do the work.

8-)

You can try it i would'nt but lay your reels out on towels in a VERY open space keep ziplock bags to put the little bits in get some reel oil and grease i like Quantum hot sauce. Grease on gears oil on everything else remember less is more 1 drop on everything oil need to be applied on and take your time. but a reel maintenance kit  try to take pictures of the reel before you take all the insides out just incase and btw what shimano's . Also suck it up send the reels to someone trained and find something else to use don't be dumb.

i really don't want to be without my reels for any amount of time, is there any advice for me to just oil and lubricate them myself?

Yea....

Open your local yellow pages and check with the local tackle shops and ask who they use. Suck it up as been said here, and take the reel/s in and have them serviced. What you will most likely do oiling the external's of the reel will not help with the smoothness or the casting abilities of the reel/s...

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!  

I remember reading a post on here somewhere, can't find it now, about servicing reels and Shimano reels were covered in it.  I read to use oil, not grease, on the gears.  Though that goes against my way of thinking, this is what I read.  Can't find that post at all now though.  Sorry.  

For routine oiling and lubrication I do the following:

1. Remove side cover.

2. Wipe the side cover down to remove any dirt.

3. Inspect the bearigs for freedom of movement.

4. Add a drop of reel oil on the bearing in the side cover.

5. Remove the spool and line.

6. Wipe off the ends of the spool.

7. Add a drop of reel oil to the bearing on the reel side.

8. With a q-tip, apply a very small amount of reel greas to the ends of the spool shaft.

9. Replace the spool and side cover.

10. lean the line guide pawl assembly.

11. Add a bit of reel grease to the worm gear.

12. Loosen the drag and turn the crank.  This will spread the grease into the worm gear.

13. Remove Tension knob and apply a drop of reel oil tothe bearing in there, if there is one.

If this doesn't help, follow everyone else's advise and get them serviced.

Tight Lines!

For routine oiling and lubrication I do the following:

1. Remove side cover.

2. Wipe the side cover down to remove any dirt.

3. Inspect the bearigs for freedom of movement.

4. Add a drop of reel oil on the bearing in the side cover.

5. Remove the spool and line.

6. Wipe off the ends of the spool.

7. Add a drop of reel oil to the bearing on the reel side.

8. With a q-tip, apply a very small amount of reel greas to the ends of the spool shaft.

9. Replace the spool and side cover.

10. lean the line guide pawl assembly.

11. Add a bit of reel grease to the worm gear.

12. Loosen the drag and turn the crank. This will spread the grease into the worm gear.

13. Remove Tension knob and apply a drop of reel oil tothe bearing in there, if there is one.

If this doesn't help, follow everyone else's advise and get them serviced.

Tight Lines!

Key phrase being A DROP OF OIL. Most people put way to much oil when lubricating.