Real seat failure? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tlapinski · 01-09-2007, 06:52 PM

Anyone else run into this? On many of my non-plate seats, the hood has come apart from the theaded part. This happens more often on spinners, but has happened enough on conventionals to erk me. I now run plate seats on all my spinners I wrap. I have had reels get so stuck under the hoods after the threaded part comes off, that I have to cut the hood. That's a quick way to force me to have to re-wrap another rod.

These are the seats I am referring to that fail. No pictures of a busted one, but I have a rod to be re-wrapped that I may take a picture of later.

tlapinski · 01-09-2007, 06:57 PM

Just went and took a picture of what I mean.

BigFish · 01-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Yup! I got one that did that! Its a bugger to get the reel off when it does that!

DZ · 01-09-2007, 07:13 PM

Toby,
It happens on the one rod I have which has a reel seat. Here is what i do: On my Fuji reel seat there is a "slot notch" on the bottom of the hood - I help the hood along with a screwdriver while I turn the threaded disk.
All my other rods have cork tape and I attach reels with electrical tape. That was the one and only spinning rod I ever had a reel seat put on - and the last.
Just curious - how many of you use electrical tape? I can't be the only old school guy here.

DZ

NIB · 01-09-2007, 07:35 PM

I have had that happen i was able to get the stuck part off with a hammer an a blunt stone chisel i had..
I have at 4 rods with the real taped on..
I could never decide where to put the seat...
2 of are my main weapons..
They work fine..

tlapinski · 01-09-2007, 08:22 PM

All my rods get a plate seat with electrical tape over to secure the reel now. After I re-wrap the one pictured above, I will only have one rod left with a screw type seat on my spinners. When that one goes, I'll change it over to a plate too. I'm happy (sort of) to hear this isn't just a case of user error on my part in some way.

I have a solid set of measurements for the reel seat that I like on different length rods, so I secure the plate seats with thread and epoxy. Tried straight electrical tape for a season, but didn't like having to remove the tape every time I switched the reel or needed to clean it.

gone fishin · 01-09-2007, 11:54 PM

I have taped my reel seat on my most recent rods. I started doing so just because of the reason stated here. I also use the plate though, it allows reel changes without having to cut tape etc. Also allows you to move the reel if you have a reason to. I remember taping my reel to my origional harnel blank many years ago, and still do. I use conventional reels and don't have as big a problem as spinning rods do.

beamie · 01-10-2007, 12:38 AM

When is the seat breaking for you guys? That Deluxe seat is one of the better to use. It has the metal ring on the screw part for extra strength.

I assume it is breaking when you go to change the reel and not in use as your fishing.

One the type of reel your using are the feet fitting into the hood good enough. I assume your tightening the piss out of it to make it snug and it later breaks.

I'm not a big time surf rod guy but I remember on one of my spinning reels a few year ago I filed the shape of the reel feet different to make it fit nicer in the hood.

Fungus · 01-10-2007, 05:43 AM

I use the Fuji plate seats on all of my spinning rods. I gave up on the "regular" real seats long ago. I use friction tape to hold them on. I have been doing it this way for about the last 15 years and I have been very happy with the Fuji plate seats. Now I do not even like the feel of a "regular" reel seat as I am used to the plate.

fishaholic18 · 01-10-2007, 07:47 AM

I've never had that happen. I use Fuji Deluxe seats on all my rods. Is that the seat causing you the problems? Curious.

2na · 01-10-2007, 08:13 AM

Broke the entire seat loose from my St. Croix Ben Doerr. Went to Fuji reel seats, started electrical taping them on, but found that the seat would travel. Started using epoxy and thread, happy ever since.

Back Beach · 01-10-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

I've never had that happen. I use Fuji Deluxe seats on all my rods. Is that the seat causing you the problems? Curious.

Use the deluxe seat, and occasionally back the seat off when you are cleaning the reel after use and hose the thing down to get any debris/salt out.I've never had a reel seat fail like that, but know what you are referring to.

NIB · 01-10-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptmike

Broke the entire seat loose from my St. Croix Ben Doerr. Went to Fuji reel seats, started electrical taping them on, but found that the seat would travel. Started using epoxy and thread, happy ever since.

I have seen this happen to the St.Croix's..
Seems they use a 3 pc seat configuration..
I have that clamp on one of my toggin rods..
A glass rod a friend gave me I was leary but i figure what the heck.
I boated a nice tog over 10 lbs with it with no tape on the locking mechanism..
I would consider usin those.If I needed to use a seat..

Saltheart · 01-10-2007, 08:38 AM

I have not had it happen on a rod I built but I did have it happen on store boaught rods twice. Don't know why it happens.

DZ , I had a spinner taped on a 9 foot lami for 16 years!!

The guides were also taped on. The guides finally let go and i rebuilt the whole rod with thread and finish with a graphite Fuji seat. Funny thing was that after 16 yeras , the tape on the reel seat was still sticky but the tape on the guides was all unraveling.

rockyroady · 01-10-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptmike

Broke the entire seat loose from my St. Croix Ben Doerr. Went to Fuji reel seats, started electrical taping them on, but found that the seat would travel. Started using epoxy and thread, happy ever since.

Same here, pretty sure that was St Croix's fault and they were PacBay seats. I tape spinning reels on, mostly so I can move reel a bit, it saves time building and changing the cork tape takes just a few minutes. Down to one conv. and it clamps to rod.

mikecc · 01-10-2007, 08:57 AM

I have see it happen a few times. I especially love when guys break the seat clean and bring it in for repair and never pick them up

oke:

oke:

If your looking for a plate seat the newer one (top in picture)has a rubber base under the metal and rubber incerts under the hoods. the one Tlap posted does not have that and rocks back & forth.

zimmy · 01-10-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Toby,

Just curious - how many of you use electrical tape?

DZ

still tape to some of my glass rods and one of my graphite spinners. I like the feel without the seat, but the seats are convenient. Also haven't had a problem yet with fuji seats.

2na · 01-10-2007, 10:26 AM

The only problem with the Fugi's I have had is the clip on the adjustable slide that locks your reel in place can open (it's happened on my rod rack on the truck) so I put a loop of electrical around that.

The St. Croix seat was a PITA to get off - had to hacksaw it carefully so I didn't damage the blank. It's still one of my favotite rods, and I like the feel better now with just the Fugi seat.

Saltheart · 01-10-2007, 10:31 AM

We've heard lots of complaints about reel seats on St croix factory rods. I wonder why?

2na · 01-10-2007, 12:09 PM

Maybe the glue they used to hold the seat to the blank was bad or they didn't use enough? Mine was my first true surf rod, not some 2 piece $40 special. A great rod- if I want another one I'll just get the blank.

Mike P · 01-10-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltheart

We've heard lots of complaints about reel seats on St croix factory rods. I wonder why?

They used to use cardboard underneath as a bushing. Don't know if they still do

tlapinski · 01-10-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamie

When is the seat breaking for you guys? That Deluxe seat is one of the better to use. It has the metal ring on the screw part for extra strength.

I assume it is breaking when you go to change the reel and not in use as your fishing.

It breaks when I would change the reel. I was using the delux seats, not the "normal" seats. No one I fish with ever complained about it happening to them, so I figured it was just me. I thought maybe I was cranking the hood down too tight or something.

Mike, I like the feel of the seat I posted more than that of the ones with the rubber underneath. I like the look, too, with the white trip. Sort of like a little racing stripe around the seat.