Reel handle ?

[echo8287]

I've got a couple of Daiwa Sealine 400h's. The handle has 2 holes on it where it connects to the reel. Mine have always been in the second hole from the end making the stroke shorter. Is there any advantage to using the end hole making the handle longer? I have the bigger, longer,handle knobs. So what is the effect of changing the position? Does longer stroke bring in more line? Is it more likely to bend being longer? Does shorter have more power? Is there any advantage of getting an aftermarket even longer handle?

Thanks, David

[sdlehr]

David, you have to be careful when you lengthen handle arms. After a certain point you can exert enough force to strip gears. Shorter handle arms bring less power but quicker retrieve when pulling heavy loads; longer handle arms increase torque (power) but the larger arc takes longer to traverse, and depending on your gear ratio you can exceed the forces for which the gears were intended. Sal is the guy to talk to about this. I'll ask him to stop by.

Sid

[Alto Mare]

Not sure what you want me to add Sid, you pretty much got it covered .
Basically a longer arm gives you more cranking power, but as you've mentioned above, you need to be cautious.
I've noticed from my personal tests, going over 3/4" in length from stock, does more bad than good.


Sal

[echo8287]

Mr. Sal and Mr. Sid thanks for those answers. I will leave well enough alone. I read a lot of yalls posts on this site, always informative. This is a great site, everyone helps each other and I noticed no bickering, just friendly banter. Anyway, I have been saltwater fishing since I was a kid. At one time I was a deckhand on a boat out of Inlet Harbor in Daytona. I live on a freshwater lake and am now getting to do a little more fishing(old guy). Every so often we go down to Florida for some offshore fishing. I am cleaning up the old Sealines and was thinking about the handles. Thank you for the answers to my questions, David

[sdlehr]

Not sure what you want me to add Sid, you pretty much got it covered .
Basically a longer arm gives you more cranking power, but as you've mentioned above, you need to be cautious.
I've noticed from my personal tests, going over 3/4" in length from stock, does more bad than good.


Sal

Thanks Sal. It was your last sentence that proved your opinion's value.

[SoCalAngler]

Like state the longer the arm the more cranking power you have. On many of my reels I extend the handles to the longer position especially on smaller reels with faster gears like 6:1. If you stay within the drag specs of the reel extending the arm should not cause any problems at all. I like to use smaller reels on bigger fish and the added cranking power helps me do this.

Sometimes I change the stock handle arms for longer more powerful ones.





Or use the stock reels handle extended.

[Keta]

A longer handle arm can get in the way too.  Sal's recommended lengths for the Keta Kranks is just about right.

[gstours]

Yes the topic is well covered. Butt at least you have some options ready to try.  My experience seems to be using heavy weights and complaining about the difficulty in cranking under a load.  Using the 3/4 inch longer arm seems to make this better.  If you arent sure just try the arm in each position and see what you prefer.    Then go for a larger grip if desired.   You can easily swap them around?

[day0ne]

I think you all are missing the point. He is talking about a stock 400h handle that has two holes, like the Penn 24-349. I always run my handles in the long position with no ill effects. After all, the reel was designed to be used that way.

[Alto Mare]

Good point David, if that's the case, of course he could. Reel manufacturers have done the hard work for us. Still a good point on not going over 3/4" in length. Any handle longer than their recommendation could cause the reel to rock side to side when under heavy drags, making it hard to control, that's when gears get fryed or if your lucky, the handle arm bends.

[SoCalAngler]

I think you all are missing the point. He is talking about a stock 400h handle that has two holes, like the Penn 24-349. I always run my handles in the long position with no ill effects. After all, the reel was designed to be used that way.

With all due respect dayone I don't think we all were missing the OP's point. I showed reels that have aftermarket handles or handles for other reels that offer more power, also I showed one with a stock handle moved out to the longest position for that reel. So in my silly mind spot on.

Alto, gear shredding can be a issue with longer handles if ones exceeds the drag pressure recommend for said reel. Frame flex from a longer handle alone in my mind should not be a problem. If someone wants to go past those specs, they need to do upgrades as you well know, like things sold here on this site, beefier gears, gear posts, frames, dogs and such.

On any stock reel you never want to go too far as you know but with upgrades one can go above and in some cases well above the stock specs.

Kind of like I did with this TLD 30II, 60 lb test was pushing this reel to it max and most likely beyond. Now I fish this reel with 80 lb test no problem and I'm pretty sure it could handle 100 lb test but for me I never have pushed it that hard.



I think we, and that includes myself, should be careful when be make blanket statements to others that may not have the experience that others do on this site. Just a thought 

[Maxed Out]

 Yep, like Sal and others have said, stick with stock length Penn handles and you'll be OK   ....That being said, some like longer and nothing against that.

 I like using the middle hole on a 3 position blade. For counterbalance handles I like the longest factory made versions.  

 -Ted