Loving Big Handles On Reels

[bbodkin]

Hey guys. I have been thinking lately. I have some kind of love for big winch type handles on reels. I love the longer handle that gives you a good crank. I really like Lews because they seem to have bigger handles vs Abu's reels which are generally the polar opposite. Plus those big ole paddle grips are so nice. I upgraded from a SS1 to a tourney mg and the handle is so much better it's just slightly bigger or so it feels. And now I feel like I need to upgrade to a bb1hz! I held and reeled one at a local tackle store and they feel like they have a bigger handle and it just felt so good. Is anyone else like this? Just loving the bigger handles?

[F14A-B]

Yup, check out Hawgtech, they make a sweet carbon fiber handle w many knob options. I like mine... ( 102 mm )

[Grantman83]

Several of my feels have 90-104mm handles as I feel they make the reel feel smoother and give me added torque

[Jeff H]

I just bought a pair of Hawgtech 102's for my Shimano CA-200's.  Won't get to try them out until spring but they are big!  I decided to go with the 102's on my pitching/flipping reels and see how I like it.  I won't judge until I use them but 102mm is BIG to me.

 

My favorite or preferred length is 90mm.  All my 80mm handles have been replaced and I won't use anything less than 90mm ever again if I can help it.

[Bluebasser86]

I think you're the first person I've ever heard say they like those big Mickey Mouse ear paddles on the Lew's reels. I couldn't change the handle on mine out fast enough. 

 

I like the bigger knobs on a reel handle but those flat knobs on the Lew's I don't think I'd ever get used to. 

[SirSnookalot]

I much prefer a paddle or power knob on my spinning gear, especially for saltwater fishing.  I have an Abu soron 20 with a small handle, about 5 years ago I put a 40 handle on it and it's night and day better.  Wood, metal, round, slick, small are game breakers for me, my ul has a small wood knob that reel needs to be replaced.

[bbodkin]

Idk what it is but the paddles on the lews reels are just great for me. They are easy to hang onto, and they are something big to grab when you need to engage. I also hate EVA grips like on the Abu Garcia revo stx which I heard people love. I can't stand those. But does anyone know what handle is on the lews tournament mg? I've heard its 90mm and I've also heard 94mm

[HoosierHawgs]

I'm a fan of big handles especially when I'm cranking or flipping and pitching in heavy cover. IMO they help me get more power and torque against a crankbait, as well as when I'm yanking fish out of heavy cover. When I'm fishing other presentations I prefer a more streamlined handle to help reduce weight and make it easier to hold. Just my two cents.

[ww2farmer]

I like long handles (90mm+) and small knobs. That's one of the reason I have not pulled the trigger on a Lews yet, the knobs are a major turn off. Yeah I know you can change them, but I just like to open the box, and fish.

[DTack]

Idk what it is but the paddles on the lews reels are just great for me. They are easy to hang onto, and they are something big to grab when you need to engage. I also hate EVA grips like on the Abu Garcia revo stx which I heard people love. I can't stand those. But does anyone know what handle is on the lews tournament mg? I've heard its 90mm and I've also heard 94mm

The TP1SH is 85mm, TS1SH is 85mm, TS1SHMG is 95mm.

Thank you for your interest in Lew's products

Team Lew's Fishing

I asked the question a while back. I am loving the handles on my daiwa tatula... Handle length and knobs.

[cbass12]

I prefer the bigger handles as well, mainly because I have a huge hand. All my reels, except my shimano's, have BPS power handles which are a very cheap but very nice upgrade.

[mjseverson24]

I like longer handles, I also like the larger knobs as well since they have more surface area thus increased grip. The companies that I typically find have the handles that I like are : Daiwa, Lews, and the skeet reese reel...

 

Mitch

[BassinLou]

I really enjoy longer handles but now I REALLY enjoy longer handles since i got couple of HawgTech's 102mm swept handles. 

[FishTank]

Paid a visit to my local tackle shop yesterday and when I went to pay he had a box behind the counter full of Lews reels.  When I asked whats up, he said the knobs on the handles are falling apart.  I did not get to see which ones as he was busy with people in line and we did not get to discuss further.  Anybody else seen this or experienced it?  I have heard nothing but positive remarks on the new line of reels from Lews.

[Jeff H]

I like longer handles, I also like the larger knobs as well since they have more surface area thus increased grip. 

Mitch

Mitch, you want to try, at some point one of the Hawgtech's with their new EVA/Winn grips.  Long handles and big knobs they are.

[timsford]

I like the longer handles and love the lews knobs personally. I made mine bulkier with reel grips because they are a little on the thin side. Had to heat them up with a hair dryer and force them on but that helped a lot. Ive even swapped out all my daiwa handles except on my tatula with the lews power handles. The carbon fiber ones are 50 pretty much everywhere and i bought some for 30 a while back at a flea market. They make a big difference in comfort and power. I like the hawgech 102mm handles too, im just too cheap lol

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Paid a visit to my local tackle shop yesterday and when I went to pay he had a box behind the counter full of Lews reels.  When I asked whats up, he said the knobs on the handles are falling apart.  I did not get to see which ones as he was busy with people in line and we did not get to discuss further.  Anybody else seen this or experienced it?  I have heard nothing but positive remarks on the new line of reels from Lews.

 

Yes I have. BB1 Pro after just 4 hours use the knobs started tearing.

 

[timsford]

Lews had a bad batch of reel knobs from what i read over on tt but they got the issue straightened out. From what the guys over there said that had the same problem lews will replace the knobs if you contact them even if your reel is out of warranty and lots of guys got some free shirts and hats to make up for their trouble. Not taking up for lews as im not affiliated with them in any way, but ive had great experiences with their customer service the few times i had to deal with them and they will make it right

[Jeff H]

I got to thinking about grips and while I do have my favorite I have tried/used many different styles over the years and can't think of any that bothered me.  I do have a Cabela's Tournament ZX 2013 model (Rapala Shift) that has EVA grips that I didn't care for but I was able to shape them with a sanding sponge to where I really like them now.  I don't use that reel much though.

 

Since most of my reels are Daiwa, I have come to like the black cork grips they have best of all.  But I like the new Tatula grips too.  I guess I can get along with pretty much any of them.