I have only seen plate type reel seats on spinning rods. Do they not make good casting seats?

Let's fish,
Chris

Chris, I just used a Fuji plate-type reel seat on a spiral (conventional) surf rod, and have become an enthusiastic convert. I love them, and will never again build a surf rod with anything else. I am actually going to be looking to see, on just about every rod I build, if a plate seat would work -- I like them so much that I'm going to look at them first before I look at anything else.

The plate seat on my spiral surf stick works fine with my Penn Squidder, and I love the fact that if need be, I can easily remove the reel seat to replace or move it. I highly recommend plate seats to anyone who will listen, for both spinning and conventional reels.

I would like to use them on my future rods, spin and cast, to keep them as naked as possible. No cork, just butt cap plate seat and guides. Is that a common goal with plate seats?

Let's fish,
Chris

I have no idea whether that's common or not, Chris -- my guess is not, as I've never seen a rod without some kind of grip -- but one of the beauties of building a custom rod is you can do whatever you want. If you want a rod with no grip, then go right ahead. I can't imagine why you'd want that, as when blanks get wet they tend to get very, very slippery (that's why there's a grip there), but if you wanna do it, by all means go ahead.

Though you didn't ask, I will tell you one of the reasons I like the plate reel seats. I beat the spit out of my equipment -- not intentionally; it's just that the type of fishing I do (mostly surfcasting in the dark) is rough on my gear -- and as a result I have a fairly frequent need to repair something. I've been trying, as much as I could, to come up with a rod that had 100% replaceable parts, that is if anything short of the blank broke, I could fix it. And the Fuji graphite plate reel seat is a part of that - if it breaks, you can very, very simply remove it and replace it. That's not the case with tube-style reel seats.

My point in mentioning this is that you can do whatever you want with a custom rod. So if you want to build a rod with no grip, then let 'er rip.

how do you attach them. i always wondered that

You wrap them on and finigh them just like guide feet. I used Size E thread on the last one I did, with good results, although you can use D as well (and maybe even A; I'm not sure). When you're finished, the reel will be very securely held in place by the thread wraps. And this method of attaching the reel seat is the beauty of plate-style seats: removing one is as simple as removing a guide.

[www.basspro.com]
Here is where I got the look. I figured if a manufacturer was making rods like this it would already be a common practice. What do you use for grips with your plate seat set ups?

Let's fish,
Chris

But now that I read more about it I see why they left it so naked. LOL Look before you leap.

Let's fish,
Chris

Here is a pic of the way I do it. This one has a palm support wrapped with the plate seat, but not necessary. Hope its viewable.

Lou Reyna

[members.cox.net]

Alright! Now we're talking. That is sweet. What do you use it for?

Let's fish,
Chris

What is the grip material and did you epoxy on top of grip?

Let's fish,
Chris

Uratane tape or 3 M rubber non skid safety tape it is self adhesive like cork tape. And goes on the same way

Chris

I build a 10' steelhead rod just as you described. I did not work for me ass the feel of the rod in the hand was just not right, very top heavy and kept wanting to twist in my grip. I ended up making a handle of cheap cork rings wrapped with bicycle handlebar tape and the rod ended up looking much better and feeling much better.

I use plate seats on almost all of my builds from larger diameter rod blanks.



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

Thanks a lot guys.

Let's fish,
Chris