I am looking for advice on mounting a Struble U-22 reel seat. This is the model with the integrated fighting butt that functions as the threaded ring to seat the reel. Specifically, I'm curious to know if I need to leave some room at the end of the reel seat to allow for the fighting butt to move up as it is turned to seat the reel. Or, is the reel seat built in such a way that this is not necessary? Is the barrel closed at one end, like a long skinny cup, with the fighting butt turning on external threads? If this is the case, I'm guessing I can seat the blank all the way down in the barrel without need for any room left to allow the butt to move.

Does this make any sense? If so, your thougths are appreciated.

Regards,

John Boatwright

John,

The butt of the blank should touch the black nylon insert in the reel seat.

Andy Snedden

Hi John! The seat is constructed so you don't have to worry about anything! The barrel of the skeleton is closed at the bottom like "cup" as you described, so you butt the butt end of the blank down to it and you're good to go. The only consideration I would add would be whether or not you want to trim the butt end of the blank a little so the length of the butt section with the seat and FT is the same as the other sections for your rod bag/tube. No biggee either way--more personal preference, really. Congrats on choosing one of the nicest seats out there, though! It's a personal favorite of mine and I've had ZERO issues with them.

All the best,

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I thought the seat was pretty trick myself, John. Looking forward to getting the rod put together, I'm building a saltwater 6 wt. to chase redfish with. Should be a hoot.

JB