i am going to build an 8ft spinning rod for the texas bays.12 to 15 lb to fling manfield maulers downwind hopefully into the next county. i know it's not the lightest option but i really want an aluminum reel seat to match my black and gold penn slammer. i ordered the 16 triangular because it fit the diameter of the blank like i have done in the past for casting rods. now i am having second thoughts about the diameter(too small for comfort?) and having the apex of the triangle pointing up(again comfort). robert at fishsticks was very gracious and told me when i got it and held it i could replace if necessarry but has anyone done some of these( i know you guys have, moot question), maybe i could get a few thoughts from your experience of the best way to do this. thank you

I've done four rods for spinning wih the Alps tri-16 seat. One of them is my personel rod that I use quite a lot. 6 1/2" 12 - 25lb line. Use it only in saltwater. The feel is quite different than the round graphite seat we have all used for years. I love the Alps seat, made well, classy looking. You give up alittle in weight, but for the look it is well worth it. Did notice doing some late fall early winter striper fishing that the seat was alot colder in hand vs. graphite. No matter, I was catching fish

I use the Alps16 on all my spinning rods. I personally prefer metal seats to the graphite ones. Just wish they made a trigger seat in metal. I'm sure you will be happy with it.

Have you checked out the Pacbay Channel Lock SLIM Spinning Reel Seats, I just received one yesterday in silver to go with my silver VS 150. Love the look and feel, more like a fuji 22 in outside diameter than a 20 as it is sold. They also have colors that would match your Penn.

Tim,

It may not be what you are looing for, but I think Lakeland makes the old 70's style metal trigger seats.

-JOHN

Cody, we've built some 8' and 9' rods for similar uses in the backwaters and inshore waters here at the Cape Lookout area. The primary attraction for the ALPS reel seat was our customer's desire to match the trim on their rods, which the ALPS peice does very well. However, all of these folks had seen or handled other rods with this seat installed and decided that the unusual shape was no problem. The size wa the same (16), and it fit their reels and hands quite well.

However, it's a very subjective area and if you don't like it even before you install it, you're probably not gonna like it any better on your rod under actual use. No harm done, and your dealing with a super supplier and they'll help you any way they can.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods