Jigging Reel Handles

[MrBill]

Am I the only guy that has trouble with jigging reel handles being uncomfortable? It would make sense to me for the manufacturers of these reels to make different size handles. Not everybody is built the same. Why not make handles in three sizes. Small, medium and large. Give the medium size with the reel and offer the small and large as an after market handle.

Below are some pictures showing the knob that Accurate gives you on the 665W 2-speed. Also is an after market T Handle. Both handles are very well made. The problem for me is the size. They just are to small and are not comfortable in my hand. Comfort is need for jigging. If your working a jig for a period of time, the last thing you want is a knob that just doesn't feel good. Even worse is if you have a big fish on and lots of drag applied. I get frustrated trying crank in a fish with these handles that don't feel right.

It's not just Accurate. The Torque 200 knob is tiny. The Torque 300 is larger than the 200 and is still small. The Torsa handle is OK but still not right for me. The Saltiga handle is also small. The only alternative I can think of is to have custom handles fabricated.

[Bellyups]

My God, Mr. Bill, you look like a fricking giant.

Good idea.

[DeepBlueGulf]

MB1,

How does that gold anodized handle size up against the big Stella 20000 handle that is similar in shape? Just curious about that.


I don't have a problem with handles, but something I do have a problem with on jigging reels is the reel clamp. The one on my JX doesn't fit down around the rod very much and so the sharp flat edge and corner of the clamp digs into my left palm. I wish the reel clamp had more of a low profile. I remember seeing the Ocean Jigger clamp and it was small thin stainless piece that straddled the rod pretty deep, almost to the reel foot, with small screws that held it to the reel! That's what I'd like for my JX and Kaikon.

Tom - DBG

[STx Fisherman]

Easy solution....

Put a Tiagra 50W handle on the Accurate 665. You'll be a jigging machine!

[MrBill]

Originally Posted by STx Fisherman

Easy solution....

Put a Tiagra 50W handle on the Accurate 665. You'll be a jigging machine!

You're probably right. I got a bid for having some custom made handles from a machine shop. What if I don't like them? I need about 10 handles. Custom turned handles to your specs run about 215.00 each.

I'm meeting with a casting guy tomorrow. He has something like Plato or a form-able clay. I will squeeze it to my liking and then he will cast them out of aluminum. The good thing is they will fit like a charm. The bad thing is going is the casting. They are porous and might hit the scale around 2 pounds.

Melton's sells the 50W "A" series tiagra handles for 79.99. That might be my best bet. I do like that handle, and I don't care what it looks like on a "Toy" size jigging reel. Comfort comes before looks.

[Ragman]

That 3rd pic down looks like Shrek's hand, just a little lighter! J/K!

Won't one of the ATD handles work? I'll be Accurate could rework a handle to fit the bar.

What about having one turned from billet aluminum? My F.I.L., though retired, has a full metal shop that he turns ideas from me many times.

I'm not much of a shop guy, but does that seem feasible?

And I thought my Pop had meat hooks!

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

MrBill,
I have the same problem. I have used these handles on most of my reels.
Take a look at...
Power Handles

[Tunaman40]

Deep Sea hit the nail on the head I have power handles on all of my reels, wouldn't have any other way. Tight lines

[paul708]

those handles are nice. the large are the same Length as the JM power handles 3 3/4" but taper from 1 3/8 to 1" dia the JM go from appox 7/8 to 5/8" dia

[rhale]

Mr Bill, dont pay 79.00 from Meltons, I bought 7 of the new handles for my old Tiagras from Roy's for 50 each.
Good luck in quest for the best handle.