[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

 

[MrBill]

MB1,

How does that gold anodized handle size up against the big Stella 20000 handle that is similar in shape? Tom - DBG

The handle that comes with the Stella 20K is OK. I would like it a little longer, but it's not bad. To be honest, the only stock handle that I like is the new handle that Shimano supplies with the 50-130 size Tiagra "A" series.

 

[STx Fisherman]

Easy solution....

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

 

[MrBill]

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.

 

[Gunsmoke]

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.




You big tightwad. Just do it. You won't be happy unless it's done right. Just have a machine shop mill you some rounds knobs out of 2 1/2" solid round aluminum stock. Make them about 1" thick with a bullnose outside edge. Then tap in a 3/8" SS shaft. If you want them lighter, drill some holes in them. I'll even help you make them. Give me a call. I could use some myself. My paws are almost the same size.

That's what you get for being built like a whiskey barrel with bear paws.
Hell, you break everything you touch. I've never seen a guy that can destroy a standard item so fast. If theres a latch on a boat, he'll break it. If he can't open the door, he'll twist the door knob until it breaks. He's broken three on my kitchen sink faucets. When he turns off the water he closes the knob so tight that it breaks the seals. You're just a walking wrecking ball.

You call me "Rodbuster"!!!!! What a joke. You've snapped more rods than me.
The only reason you don't own more spinning reels is because you always break the reel shaft at the reel seats. Don't ever let Mrbill tighten down your reels with those composite reel seats. He'll strip them every time. The rod is worthless after he breaks the threaded seats. It's fun giving a buddy a hard time.

 

[MrBill]

It's fun giving a buddy a hard time.

Don't get me started. I could write a book on your faults.


I did meet with a casting guy today. Aluminum castings are not real attractive. It takes a lot of buffing to make them look nice. They also don't machine very well. Drilling and tapping a thread is marginal. After making a mold of my grip, he figured the mass of the knob I wanted would be around 28 ounces. I don't mind the weight but I'm not real fired up about the casting method. The bright side is a exact fit to my hand and nobody would ever ask to borrow any of my reels.

The JM T-handle that is 3 3/4" in length is made very well. Very nice machine work and polishing. Anodizing is also very nice. I only wish they made one that was about 1 1/4" in diameter and 5 1/2" long. I've used the power handle from Reel Colors. It's to short for me. I need around 5 1/2" in length. Otherwise its very nice. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

 

[ksong]

MrBill, I found right handles for you.

 

[alantani]

this is semi-spam, but it will probably be your cheapest option. i have a local machine shop make this grip for me. it bolts right onto the smaller accurate handle arms. i have a few left and they're $27 each. they're stainless steel and delron. very tough stuff. send a pm if interested. alan

 

[MrBill]

Ksong,
Those are very interesting. The last one is off the top. Keep the pics of the weird handles coming. Something is going to click for me.

Alantani,
Not bad. I never thought of using delron.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who needs a custom grip. Here's a couple of pics I took of the Torque 200 handle. I'm all over it. I can't even make a crank without my wrist or knuckle or thumb hitting something. The best thing about pulling out the 200 was the fact that I love the way the right side plate feels. It would make a perfect round disc knob for me.

 

[txseadog]

Hey Shrek,
Reel colors makes a couple of different size handles so you might call the owner Tom Testa an ask about the larger or a custom size.


I've used the power handle from Reel Colors. It's to short for me. I need around 5 1/2" in length. Otherwise its very nice. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

 

[STx Fisherman]

Hey Mr. Bill....don't forget to get your handle(s) in red....

 

[Gunsmoke]

This is for Shrek.

 

[Snagged]

H3210 Tri-Ball Handle - 7-1/4" x 5/8"-3mm Key