After Market Reel Handles for Shimano TLD Series

[Dogbreath]

The Shimano TLD series offer excellent performance @ a great price but let's face it the handles could be designed better.

I've put Tiburon Lite handles on all mine but the price has almost doubled of late so I can't recommend that option.



Lots of options on EBay though and few machinists make their own Alan Tani sells some on his outstanding reel repair board.

Of all the options I'd go for the bar style don't like the feel of the big round pommel especially a metal one.

 

[Bows Up]

Bought a pair of used TLD 25's recently after researching and deciding they were the best bang for the buck in econo lever drags. Thought the aftermarket handles all ran around $40 each. Have you changed out the drags or done any other mods ?

Figured I'd change out the handles and run them for a season before dicking around with mods. Fifty pound Spectra and a short topshot of 30 lb mono.

Step up from the Penn 209's, for sure.

 

[Dogbreath]

I replaced the drag washers brushed them with Cal's drag grease/used some faster bearing grease it was dead easy using the pics on Alan Tani's site.

http://www.smoothdrag.com/

 

[Bows Up]

What are you running for line ?

 

[Dogbreath]

TLD 25 50# Maxima mono
TLD 20 65# Tufline
TLD 15 40# Maxima mono

 

[Bows Up]

Mine came loaded with 40# or 50# mono. Made me wonder about their history. Lings or trolling ? Estate sale had 4 or 5 well used Longstones, suggesting the owner knew what he was about.

I use braid for ground fish and 25# mono for trolling so I am curious what you use the heavier mono for ?

 

[Dogbreath]

I use braid for ground fish and 25# mono for trolling so I am curious what you use the heavier mono for ?

Fishing in the tropics for whatever-and Albacore here of course.

 

[Bows Up]

I am jealous, sir.

Mono over braid for the stretch factor ? Hope to be spending time in Panama in the future so good to know the TLD 25s are fitting for warmer waters.