For nice sealed saltwater reels all they need is a rinse after each use and a break down cleaning every so often depending on how much you use them

When I first started saltwater fishing I used my freshwater reels, they all ended up locking up after a while even after I rinsed them after every use.

In saltwater equipment, you get what you pay for...except for the salt striker, you get way more!

Hope this helps!

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

I would suggest a Cheaper Reel to start stripping down,and learning how it works inside......take it completely apart,lay each part out on the bench,in the order you take it off,almost all Spinning Reel`s are the same inside,so if you can do one,you can do just about all of them

As far as Low Maintainance,I must say Shimano "S" Body`s have it there...at around $100.00.There are plenty of Cheaper Reel`s that will work fine for ya,but if it`s not a sealed unit,you will be going inside to keep it alive and kicking......I have an ole Cardnial {$12.00 Reel}it`s been going strong now 7 year`s,super smooth drag,it has the gut`s from an old Quantum reel in it,and the handle from an Eagle Claw...A REEL Mutant,but it`s a Great Reel now....so if you buy cheap,get two,you`ll need extra parts later

Good Luck

Not Just Another Cracker !