A spinning reel used for fishing comprises: a fishing reel main body, a handle connector that is rotatably supported within said reel main body and exhibiting a connection opening (9, 11) on a first side of the reel main body and on a second side of the reel main body, each opening (9, 11) being dimensioned to receive a handle assembly, a shaped seal (20,26) disposed around said handle connector at each of said first side and said second side, said seals (20,26) being elastomeric seals engaging and sealing said handle connector against contaminant intrusion, a handle assembly dimensioned to fit interchangeably within the first connection opening and the second connection opening, a closure cap dimensioned to cover the other of the first connection opening and the second connection opening not engaged with the handle assembly, characterized in that each shaped seal (20, 26) is provided with an inwardly inclined portion dimensioned to contact the handle connector and an outwardly inclined portion, wherein each shaped seal (20, 26) is structured such that when a handle assembly is connected to the respective connection opening (9, 11) of a said shaped seal (20, 26), said shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; wherein each shaped seal (20, 26) is structured such that when the respective connection opening (9, 11) of said a shaped seal (20, 26) is unconnected to anything, said shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; and wherein the outwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged such that when the closure cap is connected to the respective connection opening (9, 11) of a said shaped seal (20, 26), the outwardly inclined portion is pressed by an inner annular wall of the closure cap such that the pressure exerts a rotation force that lifts the inwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal (20, 26) away from contact with the handle connector. a fishing reel main body, a handle connector that is rotatably supported within said reel main body and exhibiting a connection opening (9, 11) on a first side of the reel main body and on a second side of the reel main body, each opening (9, 11) being dimensioned to receive a handle assembly, a shaped seal (20,26) disposed around said handle connector at each of said first side and said second side, said seals (20,26) being elastomeric seals engaging and sealing said handle connector against contaminant intrusion, a handle assembly dimensioned to fit interchangeably within the first connection opening and the second connection opening, a closure cap dimensioned to cover the other of the first connection opening and the second connection opening not engaged with the handle assembly, characterized in that each shaped seal (20, 26) is provided with an inwardly inclined portion dimensioned to contact the handle connector and an outwardly inclined portion, wherein each shaped seal (20, 26) is structured such that when a handle assembly is connected to the respective connection opening (9, 11) of a said shaped seal (20, 26), said shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; wherein each shaped seal (20, 26) is structured such that when the respective connection opening (9, 11) of said a shaped seal (20, 26) is unconnected to anything, said shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; and wherein the outwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal (20, 26) is arranged such that when the closure cap is connected to the respective connection opening (9, 11) of a said shaped seal (20, 26), the outwardly inclined portion is pressed by an inner annular wall of the closure cap such that the pressure exerts a rotation force that lifts the inwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal (20, 26) away from contact with the handle connector.