Attaching Reel to Handle

What are your guys prefered ways of attaching your reel to the handle. I have always used electrical tape to attach mine. Just curious what other guys use. Thanks

I’ve always used electrical tape or ive seen some people use zip ties

I am using castration rings, 2 on the front and 2 on the back and they hold the reel solid.

Ed

I use this stuff.
http://www.tommytape.com/miracle-wrap/mwhome
It works well even on cork handles. I’ve had electrical tape stick to cork and damage it a bit. The Tommy Tape doesn’t. This tape is very stretchy and adheres to itself as you wrap it. It holds the reel on the handle very securely.

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I am using castration rings, 2 on the front and 2 on the back and they hold the reel solid.

Ed

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Same here $1.89 for 100 at FF

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I am using castration rings, 2 on the front and 2 on the back and they hold the reel solid.

Ed

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Is there a trick to putting the rings on, or can they be streched enough with hands?

FF sells a reel tape that adheres to itself and not the cork handle. I have used it with good results and also not damaging handles when it comes time to replace the reel.
Here it is

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Is there a trick to putting the rings on, or can they be streched enough with hands?

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I’ve heard of folks cutting the spout off a funnel and using that butted up to the rod end. They sell a tool specifically for stretching them for their intended purpose.. This model is aptly named the elastrator.

After using castration rings for the first time this season I wont be using them again. I hooked up to a northern on Mille Lacs during early ice and my reel was all over the place. Tape from here on out.

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After using castration rings for the first time this season I wont be using them again. I hooked up to a northern on Mille Lacs during early ice and my reel was all over the place. Tape from here on out.

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Yeah, I’m thinking of sticking with tape. Never has let me down in the past I guess.

I have always used filiment tape. 3M Scotch brand 898. Looks/works better than electrical or duct tape in my opinion.

When my kids were born we had a stockpile of Barbie, Superman, Princess, and Spiderman poles show up. over the years we let the kids play with them and yes they destroyed them. I have beeen shortening the poles by cuttin the grips off and shortening them to 18-24 inches. I then use my turning lathe to make a custom wood handle. I have found that hockey tape has worked the best so far for my “REDNECK” ice rods.

I use plain old hockey tape. The nice thing about it is that by the time the reel is ready to be replaced the tape has pretty well dried out and peels right off with no damage to the handle.

I also like it because it isn’t slippery like electrical tape can be.

Coban from 3M. it only stick to itself. same stuff they use to wrap animal wounds.

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I am using castration rings, 2 on the front and 2 on the back and they hold the reel solid.

Ed

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X2
Take a longer needle nose pliers, spread it open wide with one hand, put the open mouth of it over the back of the rod handle and roll it off the plier nose onto the handle

Is there a trick to putting the rings on, or can they be streched enough with hands?

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Tommy Tape! I agree. That stuff is amazing!

I use castration bands and I put them on with a cut down plastic funnel. No complaints and I like it a lot more than electrical/hockey tape which I used for years. I’m a compulsive tamperer though and I’m always switching reels to different rods and changing where the reel is placed on the rod. For this, I love the bands.

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I use plain old hockey tape. The nice thing about it is that by the time the reel is ready to be replaced the tape has pretty well dried out and peels right off with no damage to the handle.

I also like it because it isn’t slippery like electrical tape can be.

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Me too. I’ll melt pariffin wax on it as well to help the tape last much longer.

I currently use the castration rings but in the past have used reel tape by frabil and 3M silicone electrical tape which is about the same thing. The tape adheres and bonds to itself and not the cork handle.

But either way I have found cork is not very durable. The castration rings leave indent ring marks. And even if the reel tape leaves no damage the reel seat rest itself will leave damage on the cork.

The only solution? Switch to a carbon fiber graphite type handle or use a handle that has a reel seat. Im not a big fan of reel seats. So have start ordering my custom rods with only carbon fiber or kelar type handles. Some think this may make the handle feel slippery when cold or wet but thats not the case at all. Plus the carbon fiber enhances sensibility feel and lightweight. Goodbye cork handles.

I just use electrical tape. Have never had it fail.

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I just use electrical tape. Have never had it fail.

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That works, but the residue would pull chunks of cork off my handle..and since cork (to me)is the only way go,I tried the Frabil tape and love it,but it was pricey..

Like some others here have mentioned ,Tommy tape (or as Menard’s sells it-Silicone sealing tape)works GREAT.

No residue,it only sticks to itself,so it comes off easily,and I have not had any issues with my cork since.

Good stuff

I use masking tape underneath my electrical tape. I simply place and lineup my reel exactly where i want it. I then grab a piece of masking tape and lay the top edge of that where the top of the reel is. Do the same for the bottom. Put the reel on and use the electrical tape. Works good for me.

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I use masking tape underneath my electrical tape. I simply place and lineup my reel exactly where i want it. I then grab a piece of masking tape and lay the top edge of that where the top of the reel is. Do the same for the bottom. Put the reel on and use the electrical tape. Works good for me.

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That’s what Thorne Bros. suggest doing with their rods, works
well IMO.

I used the clear skotch tape under my electrical tape.

Oh and for anyone who used electrical tape and is afraid of ruining the cork on a good rod when you take it off.. Stick the handle under some hot water for a few minutes and the tape will reactivate the adhesive and make it come right off. It will leave a little goo on the rod and reel seat, but the cork will be saved. A little adhesive remover will take the goo off.

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Oh and for anyone who used electrical tape and is afraid of ruining the cork on a good rod when you take it off.. Stick the handle under some hot water for a few minutes and the tape will reactivate the adhesive and make it come right off. It will leave a little goo on the rod and reel seat, but the cork will be saved. A little adhesive remover will take the goo off.

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Why go through all that when you can just cut the silicone tape off??

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Oh and for anyone who used electrical tape and is afraid of ruining the cork on a good rod when you take it off.. Stick the handle under some hot water for a few minutes and the tape will reactivate the adhesive and make it come right off. It will leave a little goo on the rod and reel seat, but the cork will be saved. A little adhesive remover will take the goo off.

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Why go through all that when you can just cut the silicone tape off??

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Because someone might have used electrical tape without knowing about silicone?

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I used the clear skotch tape under my electrical tape.

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Because someone might have used electrical tape without knowing about silicone?

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Someone like you?

Just kidding guy

Exactly. And until it falls off, I won’t be going to silicone or anything else… unless I buy a new rod of course.

I prefer the Cold Snap Reel Wraps. I know you’re thinking rubber bands, but these are really thick, heavy duty bands that hold the reel down rock solid. They come in nice colors too.
I was skeptical thinking they would roll off as I was handling the rod, but they have a flat surface so once they’re on they don’t roll that easily. I don’t know that castration bands are the exact same design. I’ll have to look and compare – or talk to some farmers and ask if I can borrow one.

John S.