What kind of handles do you like for a baitcaster?

[Bazoo]

I've always just used whatever came on the reel, but after trying a Lews reel with their flat paddle style handles, I'm considering changing my main reels to that type. My 2 main reels are Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2 reels, and while I don't dislike the handles, I loved the Lews handles I tried. I gave the Lews reel to a friend that liked it better than I did.

 

Now... there is another thing. I never caught a fish with the Lews reel. I did fish it some, but very little; I mostly casted with it in the yard with my boy. I cast it quite a bit. I think it'd do well actually playing a fish.

[bulldog1935]

Abu knobs interchange with Lew's and Doyo in general.    

I recommend these fat EVA knobs from SDS Customs in Ukraine.  

 

As to the "You" question, I'm a junkie for Avail long handles for high-geared reels, and Studio Composite for low-geared reels.  

 

both handles and giant EVA knobs are lighter than stock handles with rubber knobs - titanium spindles, carbon knob tubes.  

[Hulkster]

I like whatever the rubber that shimano is using. It used to be Septon but I think they changed that because it was breaking down with sunscreen from people's hands. 

[A-Jay]

I'm a bit of a casting reel handle freak.

IMO,  a correctly matched "handle & knob" set up can & often does transform most any casting reel into something better.

Mostly making it more secure feeling in my hand as well as being more comfortable.

Chunking & winding all day becomes pleasant rather than like a job. 

Many quality reels come totally set up and I'll leave them that way.

It all starts with the right length and shape handle and finishes with the knobs.

After some after market trial & error, and when I feel the need, I'll switch them out.

Robert at HawgTech totally hooked me up. https://www.hawgtech.com/

So for 100 and 150 size reels I like the 90mm straight carbon fiber handle

and for 200 & 300 size reels I like the 94 mm size; also straight carbon fiber.

ALL with Black Septon Knobs with ball bearings. 

These knobs are what usually come stock on  mid & upper tier Shimano units.

I have zero problems with these handles & knobs .

FYI - I don't use sunscreen on my hands but do wear sun gloves. 

Colored 'accent' parts are also available which I do use to help identify certain gear ratio reels.

For example Red end caps designate high speed reels.

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

[Spankey]

I use the Abu Winches the most regularly. They are flat like a paddle. I tried a couple of different slip on inserts on them, thought that they might look cool and sure a purpose. Not really, ditched that idea pretty quickly. I like the factory set up in the Winch. 

[Functional]

lews speed spool 95mm with the flat knobs is my favorite. nice thin knob with a little flare and good grip even when wet. the SLX mgl reels I have are very similar but for some reason the handle feels longer than the lews even though its 5mm shorter. 

[king fisher]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

 

When I grow up I want to have as many reels as A-Jay.

[A-Jay]

Just now, king fisher said:

When I grow up I want to have as many reels as A-Jay.

You may need a 35 ft kayak to carry them all. Also, that pic is afew years old.

Embarrassed to admit that the tool box has seen some growth since.

😎

A-Jay

 

[dodgeguy]

10 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I've always just used whatever came on the reel, but after trying a Lews reel with their flat paddle style handles, I'm considering changing my main reels to that type. My 2 main reels are Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2 reels, and while I don't dislike the handles, I loved the Lews handles I tried. I gave the Lews reel to a friend that liked it better than I did.

 

Now... there is another thing. I never caught a fish with the Lews reel. I did fish it some, but very little; I mostly casted with it in the yard with my boy. I cast it quite a bit. I think it'd do well actually playing a fish.

Great reels. They make a carbon handle with combat grips

[T-Billy]

The stock knobs on my Zillion HD's are my favorites for bass reels of the ones I've tried, though I'm sure I'd like those big honkin handles on @bulldog1935's reels. 

 On my muskie reels I want a power handle with a big ol knob.

[bulldog1935]

@T-Billy Hedgehog offers the best deal on Avail STi2 handle, as a kit with knobs and trim parts.   My go-to big Avail knob is Type A.  

 

FishingShopKiwi has the best price on Studio Composite RC-SC EX-plus handles.  

 

Abu also offers their copy of Studio Composite giant knob, but I can't vouch for it - and they're proud of it

https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/4508t.  

 

Studio Composite sells their carbon-tube knob fit to Daiwa S/ Shimano A spindles, but at their prices, I would spring the extra $20 to get the complete RC-SC carbon handle that comes with knobs and trim.  

[Bigbox99]

I like these $11 Artsea 95mm handles.  They have knobs like the Zillion HD. 

[gim]

4 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I like whatever the rubber that shimano is using.

 

Same.  My most recent purchase is an SLX and it has oversized rubber handles that I find appealing.  I fish a lot in the rain and I need to that grip.

[Bankc]

I don't much care.  Sure, I like some better than others, but don't have a strong enough preference to warrant the time and expense of switching. 

 

I think my favorite handle are the ones on my Abu Zata combos.  They have a good shape to them, and the smooth rubber seems to get grippier when wet.   And the worst handles are the tiny round, hard plastic ones on my pair of ancient Abu 5000D's.  But even those don't bother me enough to want to replace them. 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

You may need a 35 ft kayak to carry them all. Also, that pic is afew years old.

Embarrassed to admit that the tool box has seen some growth since.

😎

A-Jay

 

Bought my first low profile in March 2009.  Discovered I love casting reels.  Been adding to my collection every since.  Like you I'm a bit embarrassed even though I know there are guys with a lot more.

 

I prefer paddle over round.  Handle length isn't critical, but I admit I'd rather have a long one.  I hesitate to click on the links posted in this thread.  I don't need another addiction.  

 

[bulldog1935]

Since Ambassadeur came up - if you race these out, they look best with Haneda Craft handles.  

[T2DM]

I'm somewhat like A-Jay when it comes down to Reel handle and knobs!

 

 

[ABU is overpriced]

90mm carbon handle from RCS/SLP/Studio Composite and a pair of Daiwa cork knobs is my fav combo. For larger reels like the Z2020, i use a 110mm carbon handle from studio composite and a pair of RCS power knobs.

[Bazoo]

Interesting opinions and suggestions.  I’ve not tried any of the very large handles. Perhaps I should.

 

The handle on my Quantun Drive spinning is somewhat uncomfortable. I find myself holding it at the end of the handle and it’s flared there which makes it uncomfortable.

[redmeansdistortion]

I choose my handle length depending on retrieval speed, and the style to match the reel.  I'm not a fan of EVA knobs, but gravitate towards wood, cork, and rubber depending on the style of reel.

[bulldog1935]

Of course, the only place big EVA knobs go on a round reel is on a big surf reel.  

 

I've never found a use for cork knobs - set some up for friends (he picked the wood on the reel below - cork ended up on a smaller size of his reels) - but cork knobs are also a terrible choice in the salt.  FWIW, there are quality grades in EVA.  

 

One of my favorite handle/knobs is Livre titanium-shell knob, and the long counterbalanced handle on this high-geared reel makes a big difference in lure finesse presentation in my salt jerk bait niche.  

[Bazoo]

On 6/27/2024 at 2:49 PM, bulldog1935 said:

Since Ambassadeur came up - if you race these out, they look best with Haneda Craft handles.  

Those are some classy rigs right there. Probably the classiest fishing rods and reels I've ever seen.

[bulldog1935]

@Bazoo - thanks.  Small frame Ambassadeur (1500C to 3600C) fish fine on straight reel seats,

but the medium frame reels, 4500C and larger, are a stretch on straight reel seats. 

The Japanese still make offset grips with separate rod blades that are very comfortable with medium-frame round reels - a style that ended in USM in the late '70s.  These are go-to for me in river kayak for bass.  

Smith Ltd. makes Super Strike w/ 12-mm butt ferrules.  

The other Japanese grips and rod blades use a 9.4-mm butt ferrule from the old Fuji standard in the '70s.  These grips are made by Bright River, Robelson, and a few other brands, and there's a cottage industry of boutique makers for matching rod blades - I call this market the Japan Underground.  

 

They also sell the ferrules in a range of I.D. sizes, if you want to build your own rod blade.  

They offer rod grips in 4 handle lengths, from short 4" and pistol grips up to 2-hand 12" grips.   This combo has a salt niche, skip-casting to redfish backs in mud marsh and mangroves.  

[Bandersnatch]

On 6/27/2024 at 12:29 PM, Bigbox99 said:

I like these $11 Artsea 95mm handles.  They have knobs like the Zillion HD. 

Happend to weigh one ? How does the foam feel? You like it ?

[ABU is overpriced]

Personally, i find it that the large majority of these chinese carbon handles cheapen the look of a good reel. All those ugly shapes, sharp edges, it looks bad😫