I bought a baitcasting reel three months ago and lately I've noticed that when I cast, it doesn't spin as smoothly as it should. I cleaned it but it's still the same. What could it be? Do I need to lubricate it with something specific or do I have to take it to get repaired?
First check the bearings - a lot of times dirt gets inside even if you clean the surface, and that slows down the rotation. If you see them oxidized or with salt residue (if you fish in saltwater), they probably need specific reel lubricant like silicone oil or light grease, not just whatever you have around the house. Before taking it in for repair, carefully pop off the side plates, clean the bearings thoroughly with a dry cloth, and apply a tiny drop of lubricant; sometimes that fixes it. If it's still stiff after that, then it's time to see a technician, because there could be a damaged bearing or the shaft could be misaligned.
If the reel is still sluggish after cleaning the surface, the bearings most likely have dirt trapped inside or need lubricant - I had exactly that with a reel I stored wet, and when I took it apart I found rust on the bearings. I got a lubricant made for reels (PTFE type or light oil for precision parts, nothing like WD-40 which attracts dirt) and it improved right away. If after lubricating it's still the same or you see the bearings are pretty damaged, then it's worth taking it to someone who knows about reels because it's delicate work.
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