6/0 Kolekar on Baja Special

[George4741]

I'm sure what I'm suggesting here has been done before, but I have never read anyone else replacing the knob on their Baja Special in this fashion.  So, here goes....  

When I bought the Baja Special I thought the stock handle was enormous.  Over the years, and after seeing the much larger handles on other forum members reels, I decided that the Baja Special's knob is kind of wimpy.  The stock handle arm is chrome plated bronze and costs $39.40.  Mysticparts has a replacement handle, identical except the arm is stainless, for $17.45.  Rather than drill out the expensive handle, I decided to get the less expensive stainless handle and install a Kolelar 6/0 grip on it.  That way I have the original handle and can return the reel to stock condition if I ever sell it.


The stock handle and stainless handle, with the Kolelar 6/0 grip for comparison.


The Kolekar 6/0 grip installed on the reel.  Much better!  Now THIS is a handle more befitting a Baja Special!


"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"

[Bryan Young]

Nice.  I would have though that the SS would have been more expensive.

You may want to replace that star.  It looks plastic and Penn has a metal replacement.

[saltydog]

Those 6/0 handles are great I have one on a 12/0 and it makes all the differance,will be replacing many more soon.Thanks for the post.

[George4741]

You may want to replace that star.  It looks plastic and Penn has a metal replacement.

Hmmm, I'd forgotten about that.  It's just more money....

Those 6/0 handles are great I have one on a 12/0 and it makes all the differance,will be replacing many more soon.Thanks for the post.

I also bought a Kolekar 6/0 for my 349H and while playing around I installed it on the wife's Penn 320-GT2.  She likes it very much, even with her tiny hands.  Now she wants one.  Again, it's just more money....   

[redsetta]

G'day George,
I agree, the 6/0s are great - I think my 349HC and 10/0 are the last ones left to upgrade.
By the way, Scott's has the metal stars for $8.95 (#10-300T).
Cheers, Justin

[George4741]

I could spend a small fortune upgrading all of my reels, so I've decided to economize on the Kolekar grips.  I also have two 2/0 Kolekars for my jigmaster sized reels, one 6/0 for the 349's and 113h, and one 6/0 for the 6/0 senators.  I will swap them around as needed when I go fishing.  I figure I don't need Kolekars installed on every one of my reels.
  George