With reel cleaning and re-lubing time coming up I was wondering if there is a way to tell if a bearing is bad and needs to be replaced?

After cleaning, it will be pretty obvious.  It won't spin smoothly.

Check the bearing after the solvent has had time to fully evaporate. The solvent actually acts as lubricant at first and can mask bearing wear. J's right, it will be apparent if the bearing's bad.

Clean the bearing well, dry it and place it on a sharpened pencil.  Spin it in a quiet environment next to your ear and if it is bad you will sure hear it grinding.

If it will not spin at all it is surely bad.  Just make sure it is throughly cleaned and dry.

Sounds simple,thanks for the help.