Originally posted by: davesett2000 on 1/24/2006 9:36:39 AM

Years ago, trying to get parts for fishing reels could involve several conversations of “ear tugging” and phone calls to get hooked up with someone who had what you needed.

The Internet has helped us all in getting things...many times just a few “clicks” away <!--graemlin::cool:-->

A couple of years ago we had a discussion about spinning reel handles coming loose, particularly the “reversible type”. Several of us described how to go about keeping them tight, but we never discussed what to do once the handle is gone.

And a quick tour of Ebay can show you just how prevalent the “lost handle” situation can be.

Sometimes you just can’t find the original replacement, no matter WHO you contact. That being said, there ARE ways to get one back on the reel so that you can continue to use it.

Several years ago, I had a small Garcia ultralight reel that somehow ended up missing it’s handle. The reel had been discontinued, and even after several calls, I was still at “ground zero”.

I then had a slight stroke of genius….I thought…”What are the chances of me having another reel whose handle would work?”. It turned out that I had a Quantum reel that had a perfect size match. Color was different (gray vs. black), but at least I didn’t have to relegate the reel to the “bone yard”. So I ordered the handle ($10) and I was a happy camper.

Another time, I took a different reel to the local Kmart, as I knew the Sporting Goods manager. I showed him the missing handle problem, and he allowed me to go through the reels he had on the combo’s sitting on the shelf. Once again, I hit paydirt, and a quick call to the manufacturer had me another handle for another reel. You could also do this at your local bait shop / sporting goods store…IF they are kind enough to take the time to help you.

Yet one MORE option is to ask repairmen if they have any salvaged handles that you could look through.