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.
(http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q523/rumbum01/P1010408.jpg)
The stock handle and stainless handle, with the Kolelar 6/0 grip for comparison.
(http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q523/rumbum01/P1010409.jpg)
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"
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.
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.
Quote from: Bryan Young on September 26, 2012, 05:45:13 AM
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....
Quote from: saltydog on September 26, 2012, 12:43:15 PM
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....
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
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