Here is something new from American Tackle!

They look sweet but kind of flashy in my opinion.

I can think of some niiiice colors that'll look good with that blue. I forgot, I use fuji only:D Those reel seats look fine I wonder how well they hold up compared to fuji's?

don't look to stable ta me...:hs:

who would risk not using a Fuji reel seat to get a blue color or save $2?

I would use them, just not on a heavy duty rod, until they are proven though. But I'd stick it on a Freshwater rod, as well as a Fluking rod, just so the guides match the reel seat - Blue only, I'm not crazy about the Holograhipic stuff, although I may give that a try as well.

Would it hurt to try one of these out on your own rods?

I ask again ...... why take the chance?

Mike,

I agree with you on the why to take the chance but on another note I have a Lami 108 1L that another builder built and it has a standard Amtak spinning seat on it that hasnt given me any problems in the year and a half I have owned it. The only thing I really dont like about it is that it is much bulkier than the Fugi you would use on a 1L!

What do you have to lose? Put it on your own lighter rods which aren't going to take a beating. See for yourself how they hold up. The worst thing that could happen is the guides fall apart, initial reports are that they don't. Reel seat might break, might not hold tight, but I would think AMTAK has tested these issues knowing some of the problems with other reel seats, and in the least the seats should be fine for at least Inshore Fluking and Freshwater fishing.

It's nice to have a company taking the steps to enter in a predominantly 1 company market. They are offering unique prodcuts, and to me it seems like they are meeting the needs and wants of many rodbuilders out there. Is the quality as high as Fuji - probably not, I'm sure they know that, and are working towards making better products available to Rodbuilders.

What do I have to lose?? My question is , what do I have to gain? I guess the answere is the colored hoods. Colored hoods and a dollar off are not sufficient incentive for me to switch from a Fuji reel seat. Someone will be spending $200-$500 on a rod so the dollar or two is insignificant. I can put all the color I want on a rod using thread. To a guy who builds hundreds and hundreds of rods , the savings add up but for the customer who buys 1 , 2 3, etc rods the money saved is not worth going with anything but the Fuji.

BTW , I feel the same way about the guides.

I wouldn't put in on a customer's rod either, not until I used it on one of my own and made a determination that they were "safe" for use on someone else's rod.

Blue rings are freaking cool. I don't like Blue, but if there were REd rings, I'd put them on my rods without hesitation. And I'd have the matching Red reel seat, and dammit, if they had a Red butt cap I'd put that on there too - lol. I'm Red whore, sorry.

THey definately are not for everyone, I'll admit that.