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 on a first side of the reel main body and on a second side of the reel main body , each opening being dimensioned to receive a handle assembly , a shaped seal disposed around said handle connector at each of said first side and said second side , said seals 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 is provided with an inwardly inclined portion dimensioned to contact the handle connector and an outwardly inclined portion , wherein each shaped seal is structured such that when a handle assembly is connected to the respective connection opening of a said shaped seal , said shaped seal is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; wherein each shaped seal is structured such that when the respective connection opening of said a shaped seal is unconnected to anything, said shaped seal is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; and wherein the outwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal is arranged such that when the closure cap is connected to the respective connection opening of a said shaped seal , 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 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 on a first side of the reel main body and on a second side of the reel main body , each opening being dimensioned to receive a handle assembly , a shaped seal disposed around said handle connector at each of said first side and said second side , said seals 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 is provided with an inwardly inclined portion dimensioned to contact the handle connector and an outwardly inclined portion , wherein each shaped seal is structured such that when a handle assembly is connected to the respective connection opening of a said shaped seal , said shaped seal is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; wherein each shaped seal is structured such that when the respective connection opening of said a shaped seal is unconnected to anything, said shaped seal is arranged to engage and seal said handle connector against contaminant intrusion; and wherein the outwardly inclined portion of each shaped seal is arranged such that when the closure cap is connected to the respective connection opening of a said shaped seal , 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 away from contact with the handle connector . <EOS>