525 Mag Handle Upgrade

[SoCalAngler]

Here are some pictures of my latest upgrade.

I was not all that happy with the handle on my 525 Mag so I decided to make a change. Here is a pic of the 525 before the change.



Here is the stock handle side by side the new handle.



Here are a couple of pictures after the change out.





The handle is a direct swap out, you use the stock nut cap and nut cap screw.

The new handle knob feels much larger than the stock and if you have big hands it may be something you may want to look at. Did I really need to do the swap for catching bass, barracuda and bonita here on the west coast? No, but more and more I find myself using lighter line after catching a couple of school sized tuna, to the dismay of some deck hands and boats that want to keep their catch rates high and that's why I went for the change. Also, for the last couple of years the tuna locally have been line shy so lighter line has been the norm. I feel this handle will work better for me while fighting larger fish on light line. The handle did not add any noticeable weight increase over the stock but the knob does feel a little big to me. I wish Penn would of had something in between the stock knob and the replacement though I'm sure I will get use to it. It just may feel a bit funny because it is something new.

[SoCalAngler]

Here is another picture giving you a better handle knob to reel size comparison view.

[Norcal Pescador]

Looks nice! After you've brought in a few big-uns, I bet you'll like the larger size.

[ElFred]

What handle did you use for the upgrade?

[Bryan Young]

Looking good.
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[ShoreKasterHI]

Would this work with a 555?

[skrilla]

Cool thanks for posting this. I had just posted this question up on another board. Would this be off the Squall LD or Fathom Star drag handle, or are they pretty much the same?

[SoCalAngler]

It's the same as a Fathom handle but it is the Torque handle. The Fathom won't work because it has a square hole on the handle arm, you need the rectangular hole the Torque offers. Penn part number 1229501

[intili]

This will work on al GS series reels! Including the 555

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

will it fit the squall 15? thanks!

[Wael]

beautiful upgrade.

[SoCalAngler]

will it fit the squall 15? thanks!

Yes it will fit a Squall. The Squall 15 is mostly a 525 with a new frame, sideplates amd mag controll.

[Newell Nut]

That is really nice looking handle and looks well made. That would be great arthritic fingers.

[fishtaco]

 Cool
I  think I'll get me one too

[borchcl]

I put one of those handles on the 535 my wife uses for red snapper. The original 6:1 gears were rather loud, so I put in a set of the "slower" gears, don't remember the ratio, but feel it should help her as she has some hand injuries.