I'm looking for some options for reel seats to be used on saltwater fly rods. I immediately thought (Struble) titanium, and then checked the prices. ...lol Not in my budget right now.

Are there other (brands) titanium seats that are more affordable? I've never had trouble with aluminum but I'm building a couple of 'special' rods and thought Ti. would be nice if I can afford it.

Thanks,

Keith

i've used pac bay's titanium colored channel-lock AL seats on fresh water rods. not sure if it's real titanium coated or simply colored but they look very nice, and they were MUCH more inexpensive than my buddie's struble Ti colored AL reel seat. also, i'm not familiar with salt needs so take this with a grain of salt. heh heh heh get it? grain of salt, saltwater.... i crack myself up sometimes....

eric
fresno, ca.

Keith, why do you feel like you need/want a titanium seat? Is it for their lightness? Or is it because they're impermeable to saltwater corrosion?

If you're looking at a Ti seat because of corrosion, I'd use an aluminum seat and not worry about it. With minimal care, they last quite long. You're much, much more likely to break the rod, either on a fish, in a car door, or on your mother-in-law's noggin, before you need to replace a corroded reel seat.

I love the Struble Ti seat -- it's a thing of beauty. But I have to have a big day at the track to even consider one. It's hard to justify the cost when they're really not needed, except for the Bling Factor, and you can do so much else with the money. It's just my opinion, of course, but they're mostly for rod builders who drive Ferraris (or their customers who drive Ferraris).

I remember reading somewhere that titanium seats really do a number on the reel foot as well.

I posted that I had three fly rods made for my by a very well known Wa state builder and I specified Struble Ti seats. I did this because they were the "best" you can buy (expensive - so they must be the best. Very sorry I did this because the rings beat-up the reel feet and the knurled lock rings do not tighten NEARLY as well (smoothly) as Al. Aluminum-on-aluminum seems to function smoother than Ti-onTi.
I don't use the rods very much any more since I build my own - but when I did use them I would have to work the leading reel foot into the hood a number of times and then tighten the locking ring a number of "clicks" to secure.
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/14/2008 07:59AM by Herb Ladenheim.

Admittedly I wanted Ti for a couple reasons but mostly because I thought it was "the best." Once in a while i want to spoil myself. ...lol

I'm finding a few aluminum seats that look great so i think I'm past the Ti seats...

Thanks for the input.

For Titanium fly rod reel seats look at the CTS and Seaguide.

I have used many of the CTS in the 16mm and 18mm sizes and they can be anodized.

Regards,

Mike

Listen to Herb-he knows saltwater fly builds/fishing.

My Alps aluminum seats after many years of salt fishing look like new. I rinse with fresh water from a hose immediately after every use. Same for the same seats I've built into many rods for my son.

Struble made two seats in Ti, one, the U22 all metal Ti didn't last long, the more standard construction U21 was around a good long time, the U22 adjusted by turning the fighting butt, the internal threads never were as smooth as the external thread U21. My Perigee 9 wt. has a U22 Ti seat and to this day it hasn't gotten any smoother.

If we are talking about a reel seat that will hold a reel ultra-securely, never come loose, never rust, corrode nor jam, and is about as light as you can get then a Fuji pipe seat is the ticket. Titanium seats do not come close.

I really like Alps fly seats, not titanium but function and look great. Have not had one to corrode either with heavy saltwater fishing.

"Titanium seats do not come close." But Alps aluminum seats do just fine in salt. And look great as a bonus. Double locks, reel never moves. What more could I ask?