what questions should I ask when buying a second hand fishing reel?

A reel used a few times each summer is very different from one that has been on the water every weekend. Ask how often it was used and where it was normally fished. Whether it has mainly seen saltwater matters too, since saltwater use is much harder on a reel than freshwater.

Ask whether it was rinsed after saltwater use and whether it has ever been serviced. A well-maintained older reel can still be a very good buy. If the seller mentions servicing, ask for specifics such as who did it, roughly when, and what parts were replaced. A vague answer like "recently serviced" is far less reassuring than actual detail.

• Sticky or uneven drag, often caused by old or compressed drag washers

• Grinding or rough winding through the handle or gears

• Loose handles, usually from repeated use over time

• Bail arm problems, often from being dropped or left salty

• Corrosion around screws, the reel foot, handle joint or under the spool

• Any parts that have already been repaired or replaced

Corrosion is one of the clearest signs of neglect in saltwater. Once paint starts bubbling or metal goes chalky, the reel has usually been left salty more than once. Better to know about these issues before you buy than discover them on the first trip.

Most sellers are simply upgrading, changing the kind of fishing they do, or clearing gear they no longer use. The answer can still give you useful context about the reel and how it performed.