This may be an odd question but it races through my mind from time to time.
If I have found a reel, and blank combination that are made for each other and having made a few prototypes that were fantastic, why not wrap the reel to the blank and not use a reel seat at all?
I know some of the surf casting folks in the Northeast attach reels to the balnk with hose clamps but that is a bit crude for my taste.
This would be on a 6-12 line weight spinning combo which would be on a GUSA blank.
Has anyone ever tried this concept to mount the reel directly to the blank?
It would be awkward to wrap and dry but it would eliminate what I consider to be an uncomfortable grip area (the thread portion of the reel seat).

This may also be an indication that I have too much idle time on my hands waiting for back ordered GUSA blanks.

Use a layer of fiberglass strapping tape and then a layer of shrink tubing then you can get the reel off. My buddy wnats all his rods with straight cork grips and he tapes his reels on with electrical tape.

Use Tommy tape, whiuch bonds to itself. TEnnessee handles have teh reel mounted teh same way.

Who are you getting GUSA;s from? HAve you seen their new colors? White, Pink, Metallic Matte, Metallic Cobalt, MEtallic Purple - tehre are a few more which I haven't sen yet.

The reel foot being wider than the blank I think could be a problem, also something that narrow I don't think would be that comfortable to fish all day. I have small hands and I need at least 17 mm to feel comfortable all day.

A lot of rods are done "deck hand" style here on the left coast.
Cork tape and no seat. The many different ways to attach the
reel are endless. Most use electrical tape if the reel does not
clamp on. Personally, I never cared for that but it is very popular.



Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I was imagining something like a matching thread wrap to the guides just with heavier thread.
I think I'm going to experiment with a scrap piece of blank and a junker reel before I try it with a Van Staal and an expensive blank.

Pretty, but think of reel repair. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

I am trying to find the time to build a Tenn Handle on an UL and use Tommy Tape to attach the reel. That ought to look pretty cool and a little different..........

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

Just for the heck of it, a graphite spin seat, large ID, trim the rear hood off, and just enough threads for the nut and hood to hold the reel on. Incorporate this into a Tennessee cork handle or a graphite colored handle.

Or even take the same seat and cut a slot in it where the reel feet sit and make it a sliding seat that will slid to any position on the tube or cork. Yet stay in place when the seat is tightened down. Adjustable.

So many ideas - so little money

I am on my 3rd reel on the same blank and all have been what I consider "high end reels." FWIW