Over Christmas I purchase components and a SCIV 2 piece 9ft. 5 weight blank. The reel seat is a cap and ring seat(Payne Inspired) from Golden Witch. The problem is that the blank seems to be a lot larger than the inside diameter. I started to ream it out but saw that the grooved area is extremely thin already. I'm guessing I need a different seat.. Has anyone used these seats and found that they are too small? Also, do you think these seats are okay for a 5 weight. These seem durable and are great looking. Thanks, Jeff

let me preface this that i am a beginner and there are a LOT of people more knowledgeable than i. but i still feel compelled to weigh in... ;-) in searching out reel seats, it seems very few if any use a cap and ring reel seat on a 9 foot, 5 weight. they are usually reserved for smaller rods, 4 and under, with smaller blank diameters. i'd imagine you'd have to carefully research the measurements to find a cap and ring setup which would fit a larger blank like a 5 weight. did you happen to consult golden witch (or the source of your seat) for compatibility?

just for kicks, i checked a few of my catalogs and found the four piece SC IV 9 footer for 5 weight measures 0.36 for the butt diameter. personally, i have a tiger eye, 4 pc 9 footer which is proving problematic. of all of the reel seats i've accumulated, none fit it without some reaming, which i haven't attempted. or of course, searching for a reel seat already sized correctly.

good luck.

eric
fresno, ca.

Have not seen that reelseat, but my guess is that you are correct, you need a bigger seat. Seats usually come nominally 5/8 and 3/4 OD, roughly. On a fast 9', 5 wt I would use a screw lock rather than a cap and ring. Especially with the popularity of LA reels increasing. Drilling a reel seat right to its outer limit of ID is a risky proposition. Awful easy for the bit to catch and split or crack the seat. I have done that a couple of times.