I am building a couple of light spinning rods for my use. I really like to be able to move the location of the reel seat. I just finished a rod and used Andy's hard burl cork and graphite slip rings over it. Thought I was all set. I thought with the hard cork it would all lock down tight. But the first time I actually caught a fish I found out. The handle bends under the cork (which I like a lot) and the rod flexes and the reel just comes loose or actually pops off. In the past I have used Al rings with better, but not good, results.

So, is there anyway of making a sliding reel seat that actually holds the reel? Black electrical tape sure looks tacky on that nice burl cork handle. Another reason not to go to the tape is that this is a 3 piece travel rod and I would really like to be able to take the reel off.

Try a Fuji plate reel seat. You tape the reel seat on your handle and then it has a sliding mechanism to hold your reel. I use them on the ice rods I build. I permanently mount mine by inletting the cork a bit and then wrap the plate reel seat onto the cork handle with Trimar thread and epoxy.

try sanding a flat spot where your reel foot goes. that should help some.

I'll add this to the mix, in a back issue of RodMaker some time ago I did an article on alternate handle ideas. One idea I mentioned, and included a photo, was of a reel seat with dual moveable hoods. Now you have to use two seats to make one, of course, but it's an idea you might consider. Having two threaded barrels on the same seat allows you to move the reel fore or aft by about an inch or so. A rigid barrel of wood shouldered to hold the barrels, should eliminate the flex under the seat.

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Years ago, there were some commercially made sliding reel seats for spinning rods. The whole seat slid up and down the cork handle and locked into position when you tightened everything down. I have a couple around here someplace on old rods. I'll look for them and see what brand they were and exactly how they worked.

Joe Douglas

You're right - I remember them. They were thin metal and the whole thing fit over the cork and there were two rings on top that clamped not only the reel but the seat itself. I can picture them perfectly. Doubt any have been made in the last 20 to 25 years or so.

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If anyone finds these things please take a picture and post it, Please

Mudhole carries a line of adjustable spinning seats, that slip over the cork handle. But they are very big. I used one on a cork tape handled surf rod, and it works really well. I don't know, but it might be worth asking them if a smaller version isa available.

Tom - I just saw those aluminum slide seats in someone's catalog or website. I just can't remember where, but they had some in stock.

the aluminum seats you are referring to can be found at Ricks Rods in Denver CO. The seats are from Phillipson and can be had in silver, brown, and black. I used one for a spin/fly combo and it works great. Got the idea from Steve Kartalia (sp) who posted a photo on either this site or the old photo site. [www.ricksrods.com]


Found the picture----- fishingphotos.net, page 11 of the handle assemblies section, 6th picture. tried to do a link and it didn't work for me.
hope this helps

Carrington Tate
Durango, CO



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2006 06:31PM by Carrington Tate.

Heres one from REC [www.reelseats.com] but it may be big for light rod. I guess you could make the spacer as long as you wanted depending on your reel foot length

That seat in the above post is really interesting!!!.

Abu was famous for movable reel seats from the 60s' thru 80s'. Take a look at this posting.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Anthony Lee

Hi Folks. Thanks for all the good answers. The link to Ricks rods showing the Phillipson seat was expecially nice. I actually have a couple of small diameter, thinn metal alum sliding seats I bought from someone on this forum in the buy/sell section. But they are skinny and flimsy and I did not want to use them. I guess I was looking for a "magic" solution. After trying the sliding rings for a while I have decided moving the reel is just not worth it. I am going to rebuild with either a straight Fuji seat or a Fuji seat with a cork insert. Got a couple of UL blanks coming up and I will look at the slip rings again.