I'm looking for a classy, well made reel seat for a 7' 9", 3 piece, 6/7 weight custom fiberglass blank that I will be building on.

I do not have the tools to machine and turn my own reel seat components.

Therefore, I would like the reel seat to be:

Lighter weight, under 4" in length which can accept a small fixed fighting butt 1" or 1 1/2"

finish can be nickel silver, gray or clear anodized aluminum

wood insert that has a reddish brown tone like cocabolo, redwood etc... that compliments the burgundy/reddish brown blank
(I do not have the blank yet, so I do not know what the blank butt diameter is)

In addition, I plan to make a smaller full wells cork handle (probably a bit shorter than the more common 7 inch handle that might typically be used)

I looked at the REC, Struble, Batson and PacBay, websites, but could not find a suitable uplocking reel seat.

Your suggestions would be appreciated. Does anyone offer a custom option? Thanks!

I guess I would need to understand what a "suitable" reel seat looks like. The 4 suppliers you listed have such a wide array of configurations that I'm not sure I understand why none of them met the criteria you listed.

I think you would be good to go with an aluminum seat with a nickel-silver finish color. I have used a LOT of the REC ABS reel seats for exactly the same type of setup you are describing and they have looked and performed superbly.

Walt Natzke
Ripon, CA

Why not just go to there sites and look at what they offer They will have the measurements and pictures of there seats

Bill - willierods.com

Lemke reel seats from Pioneer Anglers are very nice and might fit the bill.

I build custom reel seats, however I use skeletons from the suppliers you mention. One of the best looking woods that meet your specs is Amboyna Burl.

another vote for lemke. from what i've read, lemke has a close working relationship with fiberglass fly rod builders and as you know, these blanks can have larger butt diameters than modern graphite blanks. he should be able to help you.

eric
fresno, ca.

Peter,
I turn reel seats and built a fly rod recently on a burgundy blank. I turned a stabilized Red Flame Box Elder Burl. I have a picture of five fly rods in one photo on my web site, customrodbuilder.net. I is also the pictured rod at the head of the home page. If that looks like something you like get in touch with me. As I am new to Rodbuilding.org and am old, I am unsure if I should be putting a web site on here. So if this type of insert interests you it is yours at cost. As my youngest Daughter tells me often, "Dad, you're never going to make any money the way you do this". Anyway, Just a thought.

Doug Webb