Reel Seat vs. No Reel Seat

[american spirit]

Originally Posted by rphud

I personally don't like my hands wrapped around the reel seat for comfort reasons, especially when it is cold. Graphite seats seem to take care of some of the issue. Some questions.....

I was wondering if anybody has used the "ergonomic" graphite reel seats from Fuji?

Pics of the ergo seats seem to be upside down in the catalog pics, or is it just me?

Also, are the clip on reel seats are a whole lot better on the hands than the normal designs, and are these always taped on?

i saw a guy in at the somerville dam holding his rod upside down, and pumping his legs in a strange fashion. maybe that was an ergonomic setup???


off topic......... has anyone seen a plastic reel seat break. i know a lot of guys have steel/ metal reel seats. necessary or overkill?

[MikeToole]

Old habits die hard. The old metal reel seats often had issues from getting stuck to actually rotting off the rod. To me Fugi took care of all of the old issues so now all of my rods have seats.

Now if you use reels that have a big difference in weight on the same rod you may still need to do this so you don't end up with a tip heavy rod.

[RoyL]

This is one of the cool features on the G.Loomis Imx Surf, Its reel seat is adjustable. Im sure you can do this to any custom.

[JackK]

Originally Posted by RoyL

This is one of the cool features on the G.Loomis Imx Surf, Its reel seat is adjustable. Im sure you can do this to any custom.

Curious Roy... Is this the same reel seat that's on the Shimano Tiralejo? I have one, and it's much more of a hindrance than a help... Constantly gets loose and requires re-adjusting.

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by JackK

Curious Roy... Is this the same reel seat that's on the Shimano Tiralejo? I have one, and it's much more of a hindrance than a help... Constantly gets loose and requires re-adjusting.

I had no problem with the reel seat while testing it. This is a screw type adjustable seat and not a slide like the Shimano. The only thing I found with this reel seat that could pose a problem to some is the ridges could become discomforting. I normally wear gloves so I had no issues, and even when I didn't it felt fine. The rod it self is very nice and has a very fast action, but seams to really fit as an all round rod able to do a lot. It was amazing with metal and bucktails. It also proved great with plugs and even jigging the canal with as much as a 5oz jig head and rubber. I went with the 1325 11' foot. They only come in a two piece which I really don't mind. I little electrical tape after putting the pieces together and it eliminates all the issues of a two piece IMO. Rod retails for $555 which is up there, but so is everything else now a days it seems. Shimano/Loomis likes to start at the top and work its way down, so we shall see what there mid entry level surf rod will be like if they decide to make one. Its nice to see Loomis back on the seen. I have always been a fan and they will stay US made according to Shimano.

[2na]

I use plate style because 1) I feel that it allows the blank to flex more completely 2) it gives better sensitivity, and 3) it makes the rod a little lighter. I feel that a collar style seat creates a stiff spot in the blank, just like a ferrule does. As Makai and I fish the same general area, the extra distance is important. And as Rizzo states, the sensitivity issue also factors into my choice - with your hand directly on the blank it transmits every little bump.

AS, I broke a collar style reel seat off of a factory St. Croix Ben Doer (sp?) a few years back. The seat itself didn't break, the epoxy under it holding to the blank let go. I've never had an actual seat come apart. I was happy it happened - the rod is much nicer with the plate style seat.

[MAKAI]

Originally Posted by 2na

I use plate style because 1) I feel that it allows the blank to flex more completely 2) it gives better sensitivity, and 3) it makes the rod a little lighter. I feel that a collar style seat creates a stiff spot in the blank, just like a ferrule does. As Makai and I fish the same general area, the extra distance is important. And as Rizzo states, the sensitivity issue also factors into my choice - with your hand directly on the blank it transmits every little bump.

AS, I broke a collar style reel seat off of a factory St. Croix Ben Doer (sp?) a few years back. The seat itself didn't break, the epoxy under it holding to the blank let go. I've never had an actual seat come apart. I was happy it happened - the rod is much nicer with the plate style seat.

Btw
I broke that 9 ft st croix legend under load right at the ferule, didn't take long.
I'll stick with my customs. Those 20 yr old Arras still get the job done for me.