Bent Or Curved Handles On Baitcasters

[The Rooster]

With most baitcast reels going to curved handles now, do you ever find them uncomfortable to use, like maybe banging your knuckles on the nut cover?

[Quitlimpin]

For me, it's quite the opposite. I prefer a swept handle. Do they work any better or more efficiently? I doubt it, but they sure do look cool!

[LuckyHandsINC.]

For me, it's quite the opposite. I prefer a swept handle. Do they work any better or more efficiently? I doubt it, but they sure do look cool!

My thoughts exactly.

[The Rooster]

Yeah, I think it's just about looks. There is no advantage at all to a bent handle. I don't buy into the manufacturers saying it helps balance the reel by moving the weight inward towards the center. That's total BS. But I think curved handles are here to stay so sooner or later I'll have to get used to them. As of now, none of my reels have them. I'm about to get a Pro Qualifier though and I was wondering about banging my knuckle on the nut cover cap, and then I read a review where this is happening to one guy.

[BenBassmaster]

I don't think that they are uncomfortable, I don't even hit my knuckle on nut cover. I think it makes the reel more ergonomic, and more comfortable.

[Capt.Bob]

It does in fact make the reel more efficient. It helps with erganomics by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand. Try it sometime and the farther you get your cranking hand from the center of the rod and reel you are holding the more it puts torque on the rod and reel and makes it harder to stabilize and keep from wanting to roll as you put more pressure on the handle. This is minimal with a Bass and Walleye size reel, but more noticeable with bigger reels larger fish like the bigger Calcuttas and Pike Salmon and Musky, even large freshwater species like Catfish and Carp, on light tackle will be easier to control your rod hand and retrieve more efficiently by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand.

 

These companies think of everything anymore, and as a Charter Captain, I realize how the little things do matter.

 

NOW A CORK HANDLE DON'T! IT AINT LIGHTER "check out the St. Croix Legend Elite series, light as it gets" AND THEY HAVE A FULL, REAL, HANDLE!!  

 

Sorry but I had to say that----------AGAIN! We all have our preferences!!

[J Francho]

I don't really notice too much of a difference. The length of the handle seems to have a much greater effect on feel.

[The Rooster]

Hmm....I may have spoken too soon. I'll wait on more replies.

[OkobojiEagle]

Alright Rooster... let's see those Sasquatch hands of yours!

 

oe

[BassingNick]

One of the reasons I do not have any Shimano's is because they do not have bent handles......ducks for cover!!

[The Rooster]

Alright Rooster... let's see those Sasquatch hands of yours!

oe

I actually don't have large hands, or small hands either. I'm 6'1" tall, if that helps.I hope this picture works. My wife took it. I'm holding one of my old BPS Extreme reels with the straight handle. See where my knuckle is compared to the nut cap. Not all that close to it but a Pro Qualifier with the same nut cap on a bent handle will have my knuckle closer to it. I'm still planning to get one or two of these reels anyway but I'm wondering if I'll have to alter my grip on it to keep from hitting the nut cap.

[Maico1]

Swept Handle's may cause an issue with your paws depending on the size of them just like 

 

One of the reasons I do not have any Shimano's is because they do not have bent handles......ducks for cover!!

That used to be true but they are finally starting to get with the program with Swept Handles .....It certainly took some time though.

[The Rooster]

Swept Handle's may cause an issue with your paws depending on the size of them just like 

 

That used to be true but they are finally starting to get with the program with Swept Handles .....It certainly took some time though.

They are? Haven't seen any yet. What models?

[Darren.]

Prefer swept handles over straight. My Quantums have straight, my Daiwa swept. Both work, just prefer swept.

[Maico1]

They are? Haven't seen any yet. What models?

 The new Metanium will be offered in three different reel speeds and a bit of carry over from the new Antares...If you are a righty they will be available in March a lefty April.........

 

http://www.fishonmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/YH__1576-copy.jpg

[tbone1993]

It does in fact make the reel more efficient. It helps with erganomics by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand. Try it sometime and the farther you get your cranking hand from the center of the rod and reel you are holding the more it puts torque on the rod and reel and makes it harder to stabilize and keep from wanting to roll as you put more pressure on the handle. This is minimal with a Bass and Walleye size reel, but more noticeable with bigger reels larger fish like the bigger Calcuttas and Pike Salmon and Musky, even large freshwater species like Catfish and Carp, on light tackle will be easier to control your rod hand and retrieve more efficiently by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand.

 

These companies think of everything anymore, and as a Charter Captain, I realize how the little things do matter.

 

NOW A CORK HANDLE DON'T! IT AINT LIGHTER "check out the St. Croix Legend Elite series, light as it gets" AND THEY HAVE A FULL, REAL, HANDLE!!  

 

Sorry but I had to say that----------AGAIN! We all have our preferences!!

Cork isn't as much about being light as it is the handle material. I prefer the feel of cork over foam. I also like the weathered looks my rod gets after fishing using a rod repeatedly. 

[BradH]

I don't think it makes a difference but if you like the way it looks who cares, buy what you like.  This rig is as about as "unergonomic" as it gets and I don't have any issues with torque or fatigue from having the handle so far away from the centerline of the rod.  I'm chucking lures that are 10 to 20 times heavier than the average bass lure with more resistance in the water on the retrieve.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Yes when I use to use a 5000 or 5500c with their very low speed gearing and long from center to end of handle, called a power handle it is very easy pulling big cranks. Why I use a Calcutta for my deep cranking reel, for cranking effort with the hand doing the cranking, not torquing the hand that hold the reel. I  wasn't clear about cranking effort not being affected.  But when you run reels half the size and weight, it gets much more noticeable. the power handle is for less fatigue on the hand you crank with, which is the longer from the thumb knob to the center screw will make it easier to turn the handle, or "CRANKING TORQUE" but if you could put long screws in where the knobs are you would see the farther you go out away from the reel the less efficient it is on the hand holding the reel! I am exagerating here and although bent handles are not that big of an improvement they are an improvement, the closer you crank to the reel the more efficient it is to hold the reel, and the longer the handle the less force it takes with the hand cranking it to turn it.

[.ghoti.]

Rooster, if I'm seeing oyour pic correctly, you may indeed have to modify your grip.

I have reels with swept handles and without; about an even split. I don't see any real difference. They certainly do not feel any more ergonomic than straight handles. I would not base my purchasing decision on the shape of the handle. Now, a handle with four bearings: that would be a different story.

[TNBassin']

I prefer the bent handles. Gotten used to them over the years, and now the regular handles feel weird to me.

[BassinB]

the thing I like most about swept handles is that I can pitch with my left hand and reach underneath the reel with my middle finger. Hook the handle and engage the spool with it and never have to take my right hand out of my pocket when its cold.  I often wind up slack by using my left hand fingers underneath the reel, and just spinning the handle.  Now it doesn't leave you lightening fast reaction time but if your drinking a beverage or its cold out it sure is convenient. 

[BradGuenette]

The main reason I don't like the hawg handles.. They need to make a swept handle. There's no design to the current one, it just looks like they cut a piece of carbon and drilled some holes in it for the knobs.

[The Rooster]

Rooster, if I'm seeing oyour pic correctly, you may indeed have to modify your grip. I have reels with swept handles and without; about an even split. I don't see any real difference. They certainly do not feel any more ergonomic than straight handles. I would not base my purchasing decision on the shape of the handle. Now, a handle with four bearings: that would be a different story.

  Funny you should say that. I'm a sucker for handle bearings now. I just ordered 4 more to upgrade one of my old Extremes that has none now. The one in my pic, I did it years ago. Makes them super slick feeling and I'd swear it seems to improve sensitivity since I'm more in tune with what the bait is doing and not distracted by little ticks, bumps, and other things that I might feel from cranking a handle without bearings.

the thing I like most about swept handles is that I can pitch with my left hand and reach underneath the reel with my middle finger. Hook the handle and engage the spool with it and never have to take my right hand out of my pocket when its cold.  I often wind up slack by using my left hand fingers underneath the reel, and just spinning the handle.  Now it doesn't leave you lightening fast reaction time but if your drinking a beverage or its cold out it sure is convenient. 

I love it! Extreme laziness at its finest. If I get a reel with a bent handle, I'm going to try this.

[G3Steve]

   Funny you should say that. I'm a sucker for handle bearings now. I just ordered 4 more to upgrade one of my old Extremes that has none now. The one in my pic, I did it years ago. Makes them super slick feeling and I'd swear it seems to improve sensitivity since I'm more in tune with what the bait is doing and not distracted by little ticks, bumps, and other things that I might feel from cranking a handle without bearings. I love it! Extreme laziness at its finest. If I get a reel with a bent handle, I'm going to try this.

 

You can do this with a straight handle too...  Just use your middle finger to catch one of the tines of the drag star and give it a spin.

 

I actually don't have large hands, or small hands either. I'm 6'1" tall, if that helps.I hope this picture works. My wife took it. I'm holding one of my old BPS Extreme reels with the straight handle. See where my knuckle is compared to the nut cap. Not all that close to it but a Pro Qualifier with the same nut cap on a bent handle will have my knuckle closer to it. I'm still planning to get one or two of these reels anyway but I'm wondering if I'll have to alter my grip on it to keep from hitting the nut cap.

 

Nevermind hitting your knuckles, how do you keep the other knob from hitting your hand when you turn the handle?  LOL

[0119]

To me the best thing about a swept handle is the bent drag star.  Easier to make slight adjustments to on the fly since  my thumb has more purchase on the tine.