From Stock to Custom: The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Baitcast Reel Handle

For many anglers, a baitcasting reel is more than just a tool; it’s a finely tuned extension of their own hands. Every component plays a role in the feel and performance, and none more so than the handle. Whether you’re seeking better ergonomics, a reduction in weight, a splash of custom color, or replacing a damaged original, changing the handle on your baitcast reel is one of the most impactful and straightforward upgrades you can make.

This detailed guide will walk you through every step of the process, from understanding the components and choosing a new handle to the final tightening of the screws. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to pop open that small parts bag and give your favorite reel a significant, personalized upgrade.

Why Change Your Baitcast Reel Handle?

Before you start turning screws, it’s helpful to understand the benefits of this popular modification.

Enhanced Ergonomics and Comfort: The most common reason for an upgrade. Longer handles provide increased leverage and torque, making it easier to grind in big fish with large baits like deep-diving crankbaits and swimbaits. Custom knobs made from materials like cork, oversized EVA foam, or contoured aluminum can provide a much better grip and reduce hand fatigue over a long day of casting.
Weight Reduction: Upgrading from a stock aluminum handle to a high-quality carbon fiber model can noticeably reduce the overall weight of your reel. This small change can improve the balance of your entire rod and reel combo, leading to increased sensitivity and less strain on your wrist.
Performance in Adverse Conditions: Wet and cold weather can make standard plastic or metal knobs slippery. Specialized knobs, particularly those made from tacky materials like cork or specific types of EVA, can provide a superior grip when the elements turn against you.
Aesthetics and Customization: Let’s be honest—it looks cool. A custom handle is one of the easiest ways to personalize your gear. With a vast array of anodized colors, carbon fiber weaves, and unique knob shapes available, you can make your reel stand out from the crowd and match it to your rod’s color scheme.
Replacement of Damaged Parts: Handles and knobs take a lot of abuse. A drop on the rocks or years of hard use can bend a handle or break a knob. Being able to swap it out yourself is a crucial maintenance skill.

Anatomy of a Baitcast Handle Assembly

The handle on a modern baitcasting reel is a simple, robust system. Understanding its parts is the key to a smooth installation.

The Handle Assembly: This is the main arm, complete with the knobs.
The Handle Nut: This is the primary nut that secures the handle to the reel’s drive shaft. It is typically right-hand or left-hand threaded, depending on the retrieve direction of your reel.
The Retaining Plate (or “Keeper”): This is a small metal or plastic plate that fits over the handle nut. Its only job is to prevent the handle nut from backing off and loosening during use.
The Retaining Plate Screw: A tiny screw that holds the retaining plate in place, fastening it to the body of the handle itself.
The Tension Cap (or “Spool Tension Knob”): This is the cap located directly under the handle and star drag. While not technically part of the handle assembly, it often needs to be removed or loosened to provide clearance for tools.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

You don’t need a professional workshop for this job. Most handle swaps can be done with a few simple tools.

Small Phillips Head Screwdriver: For the retaining plate screw.
Small Wrench or Nut Driver: Typically 8mm, 10mm, or 11mm. Most aftermarket handles come with a small, stamped metal tool that serves this purpose.
Your New Handle: Ensure it is compatible with your reel brand (e.g., Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia) and retrieve direction. Most aftermarket handles come with a kit including shims and different sized nuts to fit various models.
A Small Tray: A magnetic parts tray or even just a small bowl is essential for keeping the tiny screws and nuts from getting lost.
A Soft Cloth: To protect the reel’s finish while you work.
Blue Loctite (Optional): For adding extra security to the retaining plate screw.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Lay your soft cloth on a clean, well-lit workspace. Let’s begin the transformation.

Step 1: Disassembly of the Stock Handle

Remove the Retaining Plate Screw: Using your Phillips head screwdriver, carefully unscrew the small screw that holds the retaining plate onto the handle. Place this tiny screw immediately into your parts tray. It is the easiest part to lose.
Lift Off the Retaining Plate: With the screw removed, the retaining plate should lift right off. Place it in the tray.
Unscrew the Main Handle Nut: Now, use your wrench or the tool provided with your new handle to unscrew the main handle nut. Important Note: For a right-handed retrieve reel, this nut will typically be a standard right-hand thread (turn counter-clockwise to loosen). For a left-handed retrieve reel, it will often be reverse-threaded (turn clockwise to loosen). If it doesn’t budge with normal pressure, try the opposite direction before applying excessive force.
Slide Off the Handle: With the nut removed, the entire stock handle assembly should slide straight off the drive shaft. You may see a small, thin washer or shim underneath; leave it in place if possible, or place it carefully in your parts tray.
Remove the Star Drag (If Necessary): On some reels, the star drag (the star-shaped wheel used to adjust the drag pressure) may slide off along with the handle. Note its orientation—there is often a series of audible “clicker” washers underneath that need to be put back in the same order. Take a quick photo with your phone if you’re unsure.

Step 2: Preparing for the New Handle

Clean the Area: With the handle off, it’s a great opportunity to take a soft brush or cotton swab and clean any accumulated dirt or old grease from around the drive shaft and the side plate of the reel.
Re-install the Star Drag: If you removed the star drag, slide it back onto the drive shaft, making sure any clicker washers are in their correct positions. You should hear it click as you turn it.
Check for Shims: Your new handle kit may come with small shims. These are used to eliminate any back-and-forth play if the new handle’s mounting hole is slightly thinner than the stock one. For now, plan to install the handle without any shims first to test the fit.

Step 3: Installing the New Handle

Slide on the New Handle: Carefully slide your new carbon fiber or aluminum handle onto the drive shaft. It should seat flush against the star drag. Give it a gentle wiggle; it should feel solid with minimal play. If there is noticeable back-and-forth movement, slide it back off and add one of the provided shims before reinstalling it.
Install the New Handle Nut: Select the correct nut from your new handle’s hardware kit. Most kits provide two or three nuts of different sizes and threading to fit various reel models. Start threading the nut by hand to ensure you have the correct one and are not cross-threading it.
Tighten the Handle Nut: Using your wrench, tighten the nut until it is snug. It does not need to be cranked down with excessive force. Just make it firm enough that there is no wobble in the handle.
Position the New Retaining Plate: Place the new retaining plate (keeper) over the nut. You may need to slightly tighten or loosen the main nut a tiny fraction of a turn to get the hole in the plate to line up perfectly with the screw hole on the new handle.
Secure the Retaining Plate Screw: Insert the small screw and tighten it down with your Phillips screwdriver. Again, just make it snug. If you are concerned about it backing out, you can add a tiny drop of blue Loctite to the threads before installation.

Step 4: Final Checks and Adjustments

Turn the Handle: Rotate the new handle. It should feel smooth and solid, with no wobble or binding.
Check the Star Drag: Make sure the star drag still clicks and operates as it should.
Test the Tension Cap: Ensure the handle does not interfere with your ability to access and adjust the spool tension cap.
Admire Your Work: Step back and appreciate your newly upgraded, custom fishing machine.

By following these simple steps, you can confidently customize one of the most important contact points on your reel. This simple, 15-minute job not only adds a personal touch to your gear but can also provide tangible performance benefits on the water, giving you the comfort and leverage needed to fish harder and land more fish.