I'm looking for a handle kit similar to the St. Croix Avid series UL. This handle has a size 16 skeletal seat with cork insert. I contacted SC and they no longer sell these handles as kits, they will only be selling the Premier, Wild River and Tidemaster type handle kits.

Does anyone have a source for a similar handle kit (or maybe old stock of the Avid)? Unfortunately I do not have a cork lathe.

Mudhole have those handle kits. Failing that, a skeleton 16 and cork insert is also available, and you could always buy a preformed rear grip, fore grip, and butt cap.

Brad,

I have a couple of the discontinued St Croix UL handle kits you are looking for but your email is hidden. Drop me an email if you are interested.

Tom



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2007 10:47AM by Tom Kelly.

Brad,
I wouldn't use a 16 mm reelseat on a spinning rod. St Croix, G Loomis, and many others have went to at least a 17 mm seat. The smaller seat isn't nearly as comfortable to fish with as a larger seat. Pac Bay makes a 17 mm cork skeleton also, give you some extra realseat hood color options. G Loomis used the Pac Bay seats for many, many years. Another option is the Super Sticker 17 mm reelseat that was used by Loomis and others also, it can be had with a wood or cork insert..

Thanks guys, the response and knowledge here is unreal.

I've been looking for a size 17 cork insert and have had no luck, the one I found has a larger bore than I want and was like $9 for just the insert. Looking for a .25 bore to eliminate the need for shimming on the UL blanks. I've also have a want ad over in the buy/sell.

The factory Avid I have uses a size 16 and I wish it was larger. My Loomis had a Tennessee handle. Not a big fan of the super stickers.

Ted, If I strike out on the s17 I'll email you regarding the handle kits.

Where can the PacBay inserts be found?

Thanks again. Brad

Batson has #16 and #17 cork barrels. They fit their skeletons and Fuji skeletons.

Brad,
Looks like Pac Bay doesn't make them anymore. I have a bunch of them, if you can't find one I'll part with one. Looks like they are bored for 1/4 inch. You can wrap some thread on the blank to make up the difference on a larger bored insert easily.

You also don't need a cork lathe to shape cork unless you're taking off a large amount. I have a little thing for handtools, and do a lot of cork work the hard way. I've just finished another ergonomic skeleton in size 17. Batson and Fuji both make skeleton seats in size 17, and Batson do the cork skeleton inserts too.