a fish tape reel has an ergonomic pistol grip and ergonomic hand grips at an inner periphery of a hollow housing . fish tape is wound into the housing cavity by rotating the housing with respect to the pistol grip . this can be done manually by grasping the interior handle or using a ratcheted winder that fits into the housing opening and has a lever handle for ratcheting the housing . the reel is held with the housing beneath the pistol grip which has a retainer shoe slidably sandwiched between halves of the housing . the pistol grip is positioned behind a vertical center line of the reel so that the weight of the reel is balanced in a neutral position in which the pistol grip can be grasped with the user &# 39 ; s wrist being essentially straight and horizontal . a method of assembling the reel is also disclosed in which the fish tape is attached and wound after the housing is assembled .