I'm building my 5 year old a light spinning rod to be used for surf fishing (surf perch, not 8 n bait) and inshore stuff. Does anyone have any ideas for reel seats for small hands?

There is a great article in one of the back issues of Rod Maker about reel seat ergonomics. Look there for some great info on what makes for a good fit.

If I remember correctly, measure his/her hand from the wrist to the tip of her longest finger. Then I believe it is 10% of that (in milimeters) for the reel seat size. My hand, for example, is 20 cm long so 10% is 20 mm which is a good fit. I go with an 18 mm in the Fuji DPS model...but would like one a tad bigger.

I believe 16 mm is as small as I have seen in ready-made seats. A flyrod reel seat may be adapted, I suppose. One thought is to build in a bit of growth potential.

I like the Fuji DPS mounted up-locking...others prefer downlocking. Either way a good seat.

Great to take your young one fishing!

Les

How about a cork Tennessee grip with graphite slide bands?
They are available down to 22mm.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

I believe you can pick up skeletons down to 15 mm, you'd have to do a little searching at the sponsors sites to the left.

Bill in WV

Thanks all for replying, Ive been away from my comp for a couple days. I will have to measure his hand. He is quite the little fisherman already. He often out fishes us in the surf with even the occasional short halibut. Our last trip on a half day boat had the entire group in stitches as he fought barracuda running up the side of the boat yelling "I'm under!....... no I'm over!...... wait!!!! I'm under". No one seemed to mind getting their line tangled. I was laughing so hard I could barely breath.
Anyway, I like the idea of a skeleton. I might try a carbon sleeved, rounded (bulged) insert. Kind of like a mini version of the AmTak Aero seat??????
Thanks again

Thanks all for replying, Ive been away from my comp for a couple days. I will have to measure his hand. He is quite the little fisherman already. He often out fishes us in the surf with even the occasional short halibut. Our last trip on a half day boat had the entire group in stitches as he fought barracuda running up the side of the boat yelling "I'm under!....... no I'm over!...... wait!!!! I'm under". No one seemed to mind getting their line tangled. I was laughing so hard I could barely breath.
Anyway, I like the idea of a skeleton. I might try a carbon sleeved, rounded (bulged) insert. Kind of like a mini version of the AmTak Aero seat??????
Thanks again