I am putting together an order for supplies to start building again.
I will be making 7 1/2 foot, one piece, med light spinning, Will be using it primarily for Walleye.
I am planning on split handle and am considering using the PacBay Minima 2 piece reel seat shown in the link below.
I was wondering if anyone has done any of these, and if so are they more difficult than a "normal" reel seat? I realize that you have to get the 2 parts aligned just do not know if it is more dificult, "worth the pain" to use them. I thought the added sensitivity might be a good thing.


[www.jannsnetcraft.com]


Also what books/dvd's would be good to learn to do Weaving. I am planning on getting the Dale Clemens "Custom Thread Art Book". I have access to the "Advanced Custom Rod Building Book"

thanks

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tom in indy

i use one smaller light spinning rod with the minima seat. i like it a lot. Be sure to use winding checks or epoxy ramps around the front threads/hoods.

Regards,
-Justin

IMO I don't think there's a better DVD on weaving than Doc Ski's.

I've used the minima seats. Beyond alignment using the minima seats isn't really any harder than a normal reel seat

Tom,
If you are going to use the rod for your self, double check the ergonomics and "feel" of the minima reel seat - before you make the installation permenant.

Many folks love minima seats, and many folks hate minima seats.

Folks say that it saves weight. Perhaps. it does, but the real issue in building a rod, is not the absolute weight of a rod, but where - on the rod - is the weight located.

Often, a person adds weight to the butt section of a rod, to make the rod balance for their fishing style.

But, the important thing in a fishing rod is to have a rod that suits the user of the rod - all of the way from the feel of the handle, and reel seat, to the overall appearance of the rod, blank, guides, and wraps.

Just - check the feel of a minima reel seat on a rod with the reel that you want to use with it, before making a permenant installation.

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With respect to installing the minima seat - really no issue except to use an arbor if needed, space, and align the reel seat parts for perfect reel fit and feel.

Good luck
Roger

here is a seat that you should check out maybe get both and check the feel : [www.mudhole.com]

Bill - willierods.com

I agree wiht Bill.
The Aero Reel seats are becoming the preferred reel seat for reel seats for many of my clients.
I will show them rods built up with several different styles of seats and most of the rods that I have sold in the last 6 months have been built with the Aero seats, simply because the client prefers the feel of the finished reel seat - handle - with these products.

Also, these seats are very easy to install. Simply make up your rear grip to be a bit larger than the reel seat. Then, using the reel seat measurements, work the end of the handle down to fit perfectly on the inside of the seat. Then, shape the rest of the handle to match the feel that you want from the reel seat - handle. These reel seats also work very well with NO fore grip. No issues at all if you want a decorative fore grip in front, but really not needed with this seat.

Take care
Roger

The main thing about them is that the - hump - fits the palm of the hand to be comfortable to fish.

Bill - willierods.com

As already mentioned, some folks like the feel of the minima seat and some do not. I do not. I built on a minima seat and ended up making a "hump" for it so I could use the rod... [www.rodbuilding.org]

The Aero seats mentioned above are my personal favorite for the freshwater rods I use. I don't believe the small difference in weight would make any difference in the sensitivity considering it's located right in the palm where a change in weight would have the least effect.

The i.d of the minima seat needs to be close to the o.d. of the blank . The end of the fixed hood piece that faces the reel is curved so that you can't hide a gap there with a winding check.