Gomexus Write-Up on TackleTour.com

Leprechaun

Kind of a Big Deal - In My Mind Anyway
Staff member
Gomexus handle/knob upgrade products have become super-popular and my go-to for hot-rodding not only my own reels, but the reels of those guys that are smart enough to understand the real difference that these items offer over factory-provided handles.

What we really have here is a Chinese company that has copied the DRT Varial handles and knobs from Japan - which cost in the range of $500 for a dual knob/handle set - and they are NEVER in stock, that's how hot they are in the Asian (and USA!) FW bass swimbait circle.

I say Ridiculous! The Gomexus stuff is 1/10th that cost, and though I've never actually had a DRT product in my hands, its hard to image that their products are any better than these Gomexus versions.

My personal choice is the 27mm TPE knob versions, which now sit on all my fluking setups, in various colors to match the dominant setup themes, of course! They are truly a significant upgrade over ANY stock knob that I know of. They are all attached to 100mm x 3mm carbon fiber handles, with proper knob shimming so that there is zero in-and-out knob play, which I find very distracting. The knobs are in the $15 or so range each, and are provided with ball bearings, some shims and a Torx-type handle cap tool. I like to install my knobs with a Delrin bushing down on the handle side and a true ball bearing up high in the knob, where it will be better protected from SW's destructiveness.

I see that Gomexus is now offering a pure titanium handle shank - which is impervious to SW degradation, and were I to ever switch off of my carbon fiber handles, titanium would be the obvious choice.

So check out this article if you have any interest in upgrading your reels - I can tell you for a fact that no other upgrade or addition you can make will provide such a dramatic difference in performance or looks.


My own fluke setups, which I converted this past offseason. They all perform as good as they look:

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Just finished up what I think is the most awesomest handle/knob upgrade for a mid-sized round "power-bait caster" I've done to date.

These are the brandy-new, just released Gomexus 30mm TPE "Fat Knobs," mounted on a 115mm x 4mm carbon fiber handle. For $15 a piece there is no other upgrade that will make as much difference - for so little cost. And the nicest part is that there's no need to go hog wild tracking down a carbon fiber handle - unless you want to, of course. These knobs will also mount right up to any factory Diawa or Shimano factory aluminum handle. Their oversized "grippy-ness" is off the charts great.

They take my Daiwa Pluton 2020H (in Japan its known as the Ryoga 2020H) from a really nice reel up to a completely different level. I will use it on my Proteus SSH for light/med togging. With its awesome free spool ability this outfit will compete with my spinners for tog-jigging time. I can hardly wait to roll it out on some unsuspecting East-end shallow water fishies - they are not gonna know what hit 'em!

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I love my Grappler Type LJ baitcasters in Medium and Medium Heavy with Tranx 150's on them. They are 6'3" and have plenty of power. Don't know how they will handle a big tog but I'm going to give it a try next week. Like you, I also have a Type J spinning rod in Medium Light with a Stradic attached in 6'. While I like my Type J, I really like my Type LJ. But now, thanks to Lep, I think I need a new set of knobs. Lep, you got to stop this review crap, it's costing me a fortune.
 
Aww come on Mike and Crabman! As “my” sort of toy reviews go, comparatively speaking this one is in the “Bargain Basement” catagory!

Now that I think about it, my very first jig-caught blackfish was on this setup - taken off Mike's boat several years ago. A fat and sassy 6lber. Same rod and reel, inferior handle knobs - which kind of turned me off that particular setup. Now we will rock it once again!

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Crabman - I do have a bit of a concern that these might be a bit large for a 150-sized bait caster. But maybe not. Gotta try them for yourself.

You can also order these knobs pre-mounted to a gorgeous machined double handle shank, and for only $55, which means the handle costs a mere $25! This is OUTSTANDING for any handle out there, including the factory one currently on your reel. If this were a Japanese-built handle, it would be in the $150-200 class. Look on Japan Tackle's website to see this is a true statement.

It is 120mm long though, which again might be a bit much on a 150-size reel. I dunno.


For your Stradic - if its at least a 2500 size, this knob will make a major difference.
 
I sent an email to Gomexus and they say it's a replacement for the Tranx 150. I get what you are saying about size. The Tranx 150 handle is 100mm. I've been fishing the 150's a lot. My hands are big, the small knobs on the Tranx work but something larger would be nice. I plan to check these out.
 
Aww come on Mike and Crabman! As “my” sort of toy reviews go, comparatively speaking this one is a “Bargin Basement” expense!

Now that I think about it, my very first jig-caught blackfish was on this setup - taken off Mike's boat several years ago. A fat and sassy 6lber. Same rod and reel, inferior handle knobs - which kind of turned me off that particular setup. Now we will rock it once again!

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Crabman - I do have a bit of a concern that these might be a bit large for a 150-sized bait caster. But maybe not. Gotta try them for yourself.

You can also order these knobs pre-mounted to a gorgeous machined double handle shank, and for only $55, which means the handle costs a mere $25! This is OUTSTANDING for any handle out there, including the factory one currently on your reel. If this were a Japanese-built handle, it would be in the $150-200 class. Look on Japan Tackle's website to see this is a true statement.

It is 120mm long though, which again might be a bit much on a 150-size reel. I dunno.


For your Stradic - if its at least a 2500 size, this knob will make a major difference.
Lep, obviously the handle upgrade you mentioned is indeed a bargain. However, that Pluton reel does cost little more coin than I have to spend right now!!:D

No worries. I am very satisfied with the Grappler/Stradic combo.
 
Lep. I have been looking at one of your photos and it seems the reel is almost as small as the Tranx 150. I think I could be comfortable with the 120mm handle. What do you think? This handle is 100mm.

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CM - be careful with this handle measuring thing. The correct way to determine handle length is from the center of each knob post to the other. Many less than scrupulous sellers give the overall length of the handle as whatever, say, 100mm - when in fact its actually a 90mm handle shank, when measured correctly.

Anyway, in your case I personally would go with the 27mm knobs that I used on my own low-profile bait casters, though if you have big mitts then maybe the new 30mm versions would work better for you. Either way it would be a monster ergonomic improvement over those puny factory "knob-ettes."
 
Center of post to post, 90mm. I'm going to go with a 120mm and see how I like it. I love my setups but the knobs and even the handle are too small for me.
 
CM - did you ever get to this upgrade? Inquiring minds want to know. (O.K., its mostly me :rolleyes:, but maybe the info would help someone else).
 
No, I didn't but I plan to. Been burning the candle at both ends and having a blast. To me, fall fishing is the best time of the year and I don't want to waste a minute. I kind of put the handle on the back burner and switched to my Grappler spinner that I have neglected to use. I love the extra backbone. My hook-up ratio is better than Match.Com. Can't wait to yank some inshore tog with it. Thinking about getting a GRPJS60M. I have the ML. Have you tried the medium?
 
Yes, of course! See the thread on New Tackle evaluations, I discussed it there. Plus, I used it last season with a Penn Clash II - and really beat on those East-end shallow water crab eaters. A VERY nice piece!
 
I have an ML from John at Trophy but I also want an M and they are harder to find. The ML works great for fluke and will do a good job on tog but I want a bit more backbone, plus having an extra rod ready to go is nice to have. With this crappy weather over the weekend, I plan to order upgraded handles for my Tranx 150's.
 
Thanks Lep,

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Love it.

Been putting it to work on some tog along with my new Medium. Really like the increased backbone on the medium over the medium light but both rods are fantastic. I can't believe the quality of the Gomexus. I'm very happy with the upgrade.
 

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