If you had to choose one reel seat for your trout fly rods what would you choose and why....

Struble u20 hands down. It is slim, has a good choice of inserts, is reasonable in price and is easy to get grips inletted for them. The jury is still out for me on finding a second choice.

Fuji SKM16 with insert of choice. This is assuming that you turn your own inserts.

If you don't turn your own inserts, then the REC NBM (or aluminum version) with insert of choice.

I love the Fuji seats because they're good looking and practically indestructible. Occasionally, if someone has to have Nickel silver, I'll order the REC seat.

Any of the Venneri models would be my first choice,especially the Esopus(maybe the sexiest seat on the market IMHO).Very nice nickel silver machining and STUNNING inserts.

I also like Bellinger's seats alot(although I prefer the larger wood selection and nickel silver machining of Venneri),as well as some of the REC seats(especially the NSGX) with the rope knurling(it's different from everyone else),but don't like having to pay so much extra for the burl inserts I prefer.

I think Struble probably makes the best saltwater seats out there,or at least the most selection and best for the dollar as far as high end aluminum and titanium seats go,and they also have some great looking seats meant for two handed rods,but I'm not a big fan of Struble's nickel silver seats.They look a little plain to me compared to the other brands mentioned and don't offer much in the way of fancy inserts.They are a little less money than the others,but I would rather pay a tad more for something different from what I see on every Sage factory rod.The U24 is probably my favorite Struble,as it has very nice lines and is reasonably priced.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2006 07:24AM by Tony Dowson.