I have two builds that are a little out of the norm for me and I'm not up on the latest and greatest in reels seats.

The first will be a curado 200E5 reel. It might see some fresh water use someday but my plans are for it to be used for schoolie dolphin as a "fun rod". Given that it will have to live in a rod holder until it is needed cork is out. I'm thinking the Fuji ECs is a good choice. But frankly I don't know. I'd hate to buy something and find the reel wobbles in the seat......or the reel seat ins't compatable with EVA grips. A carbon tube handle might work too.

The next will be a Baja Special. For those that don't know, consider it a narrow spool 4/0 senator with enhanced drag capacity. I plan to use it as a grouper reel so the seat needs to reasonably strong. Typically I'd go with a Fuji DPSH. However it might be time for me to look at aluminum seats again. I got away from them in the distant past as the lighter ones tended to corrode and fail over time and the good ones cost a lot. This build is nowhere near aftco range and I'm poor:)

I haven't decided on blanks but if it matters here is what I'm considering. The curado will probably get a composite or glass rod around 7' and 8-17# rating. The baja special, something like a 7' hercules/seeker/calstar....or maybe one of the new st. croix nsi blanks.

Any advice is appreciated. In general I like light, comfortable, easy to assemble. I don't want to bother will tenons and such. It needs to be a long term solution for salt water as I hate to have to change a reel seat! Bling isn't important in the least.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2011 08:34PM by Russell Brunt.

I think I would use the Alps aluminum triangular seats

Ron Weber

Russ have you tried the American Tackle AG reel seats? They are a graphite reel seat with a aluminum hood. I think the smallest is a 22. They are strong and with the ribs they have a really good bond. Plus they have the anti electrolisys atributes which make them salt proof. Light weight, strong easily cut down to size.

Hello Russell,

I have built a a good few rods using the ALPS Aluminum Trigger Real Seats AT16-B there kinda spendy but they look really nice and come in the standard sizes for blanks, Easy to mount and extremely tuff. Anglers Workshop carries these in stock but call ahead to see if they are on the shelf. I got some pics of these some were.... I will have to look ! Anyways there very simple and come in all one piece Check out BatsonRainshodowAlps ! Good luck !

Rick H.

rwheil@msn.com

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Hi Russ,
I also like the Alps triangular aluminium seats, very strong and I've been using them in the salt for almost five years without any problems or signs of corrosion, but they aren't cheap. Used them with both cork and eva. If your looking for something cheaper have a look at the Mudhole seats, Project X spinning and Raptors. Haven't tried either but they look ok and Mudhole has got an excellent reputation.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Russell said he was on a tight budget and the recommendations are an Alps seat which cost twice as much as the heavy Pac Bay, or AmTack aluminum seats or the heavy Fuji graphite.

Hello Russell
Mud Hole Pg. 140, "Channel Lock" Slim Spinning Reel Seats 17mm & 20mm,$16.95 & 19.95.
For Bigger pg. 130 & 131 anything in there is good and you can choose your price range!
The Large "Channel Lock" seats are on pg. 130(Graphite) & 131(Aluminium).
"American Tackle" has Graphite(pg.130) & Aluminium(pg. 131) also.
"Perfection"(one of my favorites) makes size(16mm & 19mm) that are real nice(pg. 130).

Good Luck and Big Fun.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Russell,

For my personal rods, I tend to use the exposed blank seats from Batson. One note on those is that they have have 4 ribs in the barrel that mate with the blank. I haven't filled the gaps and things have held up fone for me. If you don't care for that design, the ECS, or the Amtak ECRS may work out better for you. For what it's worth, the only seat I've ever had an issue with reel wobble with my bass sized casting reels was a Castaway, and only with my older (10-15 year old) Shimanos. A couple little pieces of electrical tape on the foot was plenty to snug up the fit, but avoiding the issue is always better. The newer models (Citica and Cardiff) have fit well in anything that I've put them in, Batson, Pac Bay, Fuji, and Castaway.

On another note, the butt end of the exposed blank seats (16mm barrel) I've used match up nicely with the 1.05" OD graphite tubing. The EVA bushing from Batson for the transition from the back of the seat to the tubing makes a nice transition, and masks any imperfections in the cut of the tubing.

Joe

Just a +3 for the Alps seats. The trigger ones are a bit pricey, but the CentraLock's are pretty nice. I've not had a problem with salt corrosion as long as things are cleaned off after use. The EVA will get pretty beat up as well if you stick it in a holder a lot. XFlock shrink tube over the EVA will make it last longer and the shrink tube can be replaced if it wears through. Nearly all seats will be pretty easy to assemble, but if you really want the lightness, then you probably should stick with a graphite seat.

Seems the Alps triangular seat is a crowd favorite. I'll consider it. Not sure how I feel about the shape though.

An aluminum trigger seat seems overkill for a curado 200 to me. I'm thinking a blank exposed type would be better suited. Joe, thanks for the info that the 1.05" tube matches up well. Also good to know wobble isn't a problem anymore.

The am tak AG sounds too large. I'll have to see what size the blank ends up being and take a look at what I'm using and fits my hand.

Robert, not too sure why a spinning seat was mentioned. Could it be that you like it for a casting reel?

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Hello Russell
I just dont like casting seats on anything I put in a rod holder or in salt water, and you said 4/0 senator.
I even saw the word GROUPER.

I like big fish!
Just my $.02

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Okay, gotcha Robert. The "slim spinning reel" and size 17mm didn't equate to 4/0 and grouper for me:)

Been awhile since I have been out in the GOM but 40 pounders were common and 60 pounders happen often enough. Islands had better numbers but smaller fish.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.