I have a couple of questions.
1. Is an aluminum reel seat going to be heavier than a graphite reel seat?
2. If I am wanting to build a steelhead drift rod what would be the best guides to put on there, and what makes them better?
Thanks for any help

It would be a bit heavier than a graphite seat, but it's weight that is at your hand, so it wouldn't be as noticable as far as balance, tip weight, etc. Yoy couls make the same difference by using a heavier versus lighter reel.
The big drawback for me would be fishing with a cold aluminum reelseat in the winter.

Jeremy,
It's tough to go wrong with the American Tackle Ring Lock casting or spinning guides with the Nanolite rings. These will be very light in physical weight and you will have one of the most advanced inserts available.


[www.mudhole.com]

[www.mudhole.com]

Regards,

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

I won’t argue the guide suggestion, Todd knows his stuff! (especially since I approve of this choice)

I assume your building a spinning rod, since it’s AL vs. graphite. Not sure whether you are looking for a weight or comfort focus but my suggestion is that you consider our AERO16 seat. It’s comfortable ergonomic shape is ideal for drift rods where you want to stand ready for a hook set or line adjustment.

Best Regards,


Darrin Heim
American Tackle Company

The aero does fit the hand Real Nice - larger sizes ??? Hint Hint

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Jeremy,
let us know where you plan to fish so I can fire out a few suggestions :) I have been known to catch a few Steelhead in my time:)

XST1141F
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1141F-TC 9' 6" 2pc Lt 4-8lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat: GSTG16C-TC Textured Gray Graphite Spin Reel Seat w/Cushion-Real Light TICH
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/16/SPIN Proof Board .590" OD 3.70" Length
Trim Ring: TRS16-TC Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350 12" Cork Rear Grip Straight 'A'
Winding Check: AWC350 Aluminum Winding Check .350" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R04.0 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCYTCG ALPS SS316 - Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 4.25"
2nd XPTCFCG06 9.25"
3rd XPTCFCG06 15.25"
4th XPTCFCG07 22.25"
5th XTCYTCG07 30.125"
6th XTCYTCG08 38.250"
7th XTCYTCG10 48.5"
8th XTCYTCG16 61"
9th XTCYTCG25 76.75"


Or this pacific North west Drift Rod:

XST1084F
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1084F-TC 9' 2pc Med 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat Body: GTBTG16C-11.0 Graphite Trigger textured Blank Exposed w/cush R/S - Black (ream to fit)
Reel Seat Hood: GTT16C-SN-TC Hood w/cush Single Nut - True Light TiCH
Trim Ring: TRS16-TC Trim Ring for Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: HERG14.0S-375 14.0" High End Reargrip Super Grade ID .375"
Winding Check: AWC414 Aluminum Winding Check .414" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R04.5 ALPS SS316 - RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.5 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCLXNCG ALPS SS316 - LXN Guide w/TiCH Ring -TiCH w/o chrome

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 3.75"
2nd XPTCFCG06 7.75"
3rd XPTCFCG06 12.25"
4th XPTCFCG06 17.25"
5th XPTCFCG07 23.5"
6th XTCLXNCG08 31"
7th XTCLXNCG08 39"
8th XTCLXNCG10 48"
9th XTCLXNCG10 58.5"
10th XTCLXNCG12 70.5"

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

Kerry your statement about a few Ironheads that you have caught! Is a miss statement. You have caught all the Ironheads on the Pacific NW> Peninsula LOL

Good Wraps Bob

Jeremy

I have built a couple of rainshadow steelhead blanks- I used graphite reel seats (colder weather)=colder hands with aluminum.

Used Karrys suggested guides, Think they turned out fairly well, although I did not use trigger handles.. These are set up for casting reels anyways.
If I can make it work I will post the pictures over on the picture board.
pictures are in my photos These are 9'6" rods with cork grips.

Pictures are on the photo board
Mark



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2010 12:42AM by Mark Mulanax.