Mudhole just sent a bulletin via e-mail promoting a new 2 part casting seat by PacBay (like the new seats on E21 CarrotSticks)...I was so excited to put one on my next build that I immediately got on line and ordered one....IT'S ON BACKORDER!!! What is up with that? They send out an email bulletin promoting a new product and it's on backorder?

Antbody know where else I can get one?

Give Bill Stevens a ring (Swampland on the left of this page) buy a castaway seat and chop it yourself. Its easy!

DR

No need to chop 'em anymore....you can order them in 2 pieces now. I've not heard one negative remark about the Castaway reel seats. Everyone that I've built for using Castaway has remarked how pleased the are with the product. I also can't tell you how often someone has picked up one of my rods and asked "where did you get that reel seat?" I've not used one of the PacBay seats - I'm sure they're a good product - but I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Castway seats.

I just saw them and I like the look of the satin stainless on the Castaway better than the chrome look of the PacBay. Looks like a "winner" to me. THANX to both of you, I appreciate the help. Still a little "ticked" at Mudhole though..........

Adam,

You're welcome.

Another way to look at it: it was kinda nice that Mudhole let you know they were on backorder, rather than just letting you go ahead, order them, and wait FOREVER. That's the worst.

DR

jann's has had them in stock for a few months now... i've got 8 of them in various stages of completiong - both spinning and casting. So far, no complaints.

Regards,
-Justin

May want to read the second post on this thread. Might be a reason they are backordered.

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i got mine at @#$%&

That's what I like about cutting my own, I can make BOTH sections of a chopped Castaway seat fit the blank perfectly with NO arbor at all. If your baitcasting blank needs a 10.5mm, order a 10mm. The front will fit the blank perfectly and you'll need to ream the rear a tad to get it to fit perfectly. If you order the 10.5mm, the front section once cut will need a thin arbor. I like NO arbor. In other words, if you need a 10.5mm and dont want to ream anything, you need to buy a 10mm and a 10.5mm. Once you cut both, you'll end up using the front barrel of the 10mm and the rear trigger off the 10.5mm. Make sense? Thats why you order one size smaller and ream the trigger end, that way you don't have to buy two seats.

DR

The problem with those seats is why i like cutting my own. I know i am getting a good quality part. Not to mention custom builders have been doing this for at least 10 years, it's just fun to do.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

i've tested the pac bay (casting and spinning) on several different baitcasters and spinning reels (BPS, Pfluegar, Shimano, Pinnacle) spinning reel sizes 2500 - 3500 and don't find that the reels are in danger of popping out of the pockets. As mentioned, the only down side to them is the front portion does require an arbor and does not have a flat spot for the foot of the reel like you would get if you cut down a casting seat. I am satisfied with them however, and barring any issues on the water i might come across - will continue to use them.

Regards,
-Justin

When the guys like Todd from Mudhole that sell them tell you to beware, you better beware. Hopefully Pac Bay can get it fixed and the Swampland boys can get the full range of sizes from Castaway. Until then, I'll continue to cut my own when the 2 piece Castaway seats don't fit.

Am I missing something here? Is there a problem with the PacBay seats?

Check the link in Alex's post. It had been rumored since they were introduced that there would be problems with the design. Todd's post linked above confirms what others in the business had said would be the issue.

Do you guys have any pointers on how to properly chop the seats? I've never tried to do that and I'm planing on putting split seats on my next two builds. Thanks, Matt

You can look at the minima type seats, or go to swampland's page. They have an example of how to do it, a picture. The material is not to hard to cut and shape.