I have a problem folks.

I started fishing with my kids. I'm getting the biggest kick out of it. I think they are too.

The problem is I can't quit buying, things obviously got out of hand.

I also love spincast reels. I'm not one bit ashamed. Every reel is greased and oiled before stinging them up and putting them in the rotation.

On a couple 202s and 404s I polished the drive gear shaft at both ends and their corresponding bushings where they mate, also the pinion shaft. I use a 'white' mineral oil based grease like food safe kind, not reel grease I know, but that mineral oil base won't hurt any plastic. I use a mix of light oils like super lube, a synthetic from Liberty, sewing machine oil (also mineral oil based), and a touch of 3M liquid silicone lubricant. Grease applied generously to the gears and lightly to the rest of the mating surfaces. The oil where appropriate.

Get ready for this one… On one 404 and one 202 I polished the spinner heads including the pick up pins.

These cheapest of the cheap reels turned out great. I spent way too much time doing all this but I don't care. These reels work flawlessly and retain all stock parts.

I can fish with a spinning reel. I've tried a baitcaster a couple times. The first time was a complete disaster, then I googled a few tips on setting them up for bait weights etc, that helped a lot on the next couple tries. I gave it up. I go out there to have fun and try to catch fish, not pick line out of a reel for a few minutes the whole time pretty much making the tangle worse. I always have an extra combo or two with us so I put the baitcaster aside and pick up one I know how to use. The simplicity of using them far outweighs any drawbacks inherent in their design in my opinion.

On a couple rods I polished the eyelets and the line just flies out of them. I don't have any shame about my 'length' so…

I went down an ultra light rabbit hole and there's a decent cache of that stuff too. Catching fish on ultra light gear is always a kick for me.

Spending time with my boys has been the real treasure for me. I am glad to take their buddies along and get to know who my kids are hanging out with. They're all pretty good kids, mine included.

If you've made it here to the end, I thank you.

Fish on!