NootkaSounder
Active Member
What is your thoughts ordered some, with paddles as I like the feel of them but I like both but what is the general consensus?
Islander Reel handles, paddles or nobs?
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gearjammer
Member
Have both and prefer the paddles for a number of reasons:
The main reason is better grip, especially for bigger hands/fingers.
When the paddles on a spool/drum of a single action reel that is free wheeling ( knuckle dusting) when you are learning or not careful, happen to hit your fingers they tend to spin on the shaft more and glance off your fingers, transmitting less energy and therefore less damage to your fingers.
The issue becomes; is it better to have a smaller round handle profile that provides less grip, but is less likely to hit your fingers in the first place but when they do, do more damage to your fingers, or a larger wider flat handle that may be a little more likely to hit your fingers but do less damage when they hit and provide a much better finger grip.
None of the Islander moochers can do the kind of knuckle dusting damage that those larger diameter, heavy, hard handled old school Peetz reels can do. Further I would not even worry about it, as once you have any experience at all with single action reels, it is easily avoided. I have not had any damage to my fingers in decades with single action reels, with the exception of once playing a very large seal (250 lb or so) with great power and speed that had grabbed a salmon, and even then it was probably my fault.
The round handles I have seen on Islander mooching reels are smaller, hard and smooth which provides less finger grip and they can cause more hand/finger fatigue in a long fight with a very large salmon.
The wider paddles I am familiar with have all been of the softer rubber coated type with texture (like those on a newer Shimano 4000) which are less likely to slip out of your fingers when you want to reel in, especially if your hands are wet, cold and fatigued.
Paddles were not originally factory equipped on my Islander reels, so you may be paying to have them swapped out if you want them. Keep the smaller round hard ones as the next reel owner may prefer them.
This is one of those things where personal preference, hand size and what you have learned on and are use to is very relevant.
There may also be some resistance by some not to mess with a classic design and stay with the original ones for the same reason some don’t like to make “ugly” modifications to a classic car.
The main reason is better grip, especially for bigger hands/fingers.
When the paddles on a spool/drum of a single action reel that is free wheeling ( knuckle dusting) when you are learning or not careful, happen to hit your fingers they tend to spin on the shaft more and glance off your fingers, transmitting less energy and therefore less damage to your fingers.
The issue becomes; is it better to have a smaller round handle profile that provides less grip, but is less likely to hit your fingers in the first place but when they do, do more damage to your fingers, or a larger wider flat handle that may be a little more likely to hit your fingers but do less damage when they hit and provide a much better finger grip.
None of the Islander moochers can do the kind of knuckle dusting damage that those larger diameter, heavy, hard handled old school Peetz reels can do. Further I would not even worry about it, as once you have any experience at all with single action reels, it is easily avoided. I have not had any damage to my fingers in decades with single action reels, with the exception of once playing a very large seal (250 lb or so) with great power and speed that had grabbed a salmon, and even then it was probably my fault.
The round handles I have seen on Islander mooching reels are smaller, hard and smooth which provides less finger grip and they can cause more hand/finger fatigue in a long fight with a very large salmon.
The wider paddles I am familiar with have all been of the softer rubber coated type with texture (like those on a newer Shimano 4000) which are less likely to slip out of your fingers when you want to reel in, especially if your hands are wet, cold and fatigued.
Paddles were not originally factory equipped on my Islander reels, so you may be paying to have them swapped out if you want them. Keep the smaller round hard ones as the next reel owner may prefer them.
This is one of those things where personal preference, hand size and what you have learned on and are use to is very relevant.
There may also be some resistance by some not to mess with a classic design and stay with the original ones for the same reason some don’t like to make “ugly” modifications to a classic car.
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Fish Assassin
Crew Member
I'd love to have the original Shimanio 4000GT paddles on a Islander or any other similar reel.
Cuba Libre
Well-Known Member
I have a factory replaced paddles on my MR2--- I like them--- but I would like them better if they were rubber coated
Whole in the Water
Well-Known Member
I switched my knobs to the paddles that Islander supplies - definitely better. But I'm with FA in that the best paddles out there are the rubber coasted paddles on a Shimano 4000. I'm thinking of switching over to these.
Good point for fly casting applications. I was specifically thinking of the big mooching reels and typical west coast ocean fishing applications for large salmon only. It really is a personal preference and I use both but the coated paddles just plain feel better to me on the large mooching/downrigger trolling reels when playing salmon.
I also agree with Dave, I think the classic round ones look more elegant and traditional on high end reels also but perhaps less so with rubber tubing on them, but maybe a good idea for actual use.
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Gear'n'beer!
Well-Known Member
Try them both. I prefer the stock knobs but obviously everyone has their likes/dislikes. Your preference really is your preference.....before I had islanders I ran 2000's for decades so the knobs are all I have used and I like em!
But change is good donkey!
But change is good donkey!
NootkaSounder
Active Member
"$15.20"each.(each handle, not each reel!)"-Heather, islander reels
that is what she told me in my last e-mail.So 30.00 a reel
The issue would seem to be finding the Paddles you like that fit you and the reel and then getting a good price on them. If you have a quality small flat blade screwdriver you can swap them out yourself in a few minutes.
Try your local tackle shop especially one that has a repair center like Outfitters.
Was just comparing the coated paddles on the MR3's and my paddles are not really all that significantly bigger but more different shaped than the standard round ones.
The ones on the new style Shimano 4000GT are taller, wider and thicker than the ones I have on the MR3 although both are rubber coated and textured. I like the feel of the 4000GT ones more but I suspect they may look a little more out of place on the MR3 than the smaller paddles it has.
The 4000GT paddles would also be a tighter fit in in the standard MR3 case.
The old school 2000GT reels have round rubber coated knobs that are also larger than the standard MR3 hard ones, so lots of options.
Have a look at and try some different ones if you have the option and get the ones that work for you.
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Fishin'Zinn
Active Member
^ Just get some shimano paddles and modify them?
