It has been a very long time since I built a bait casting rod. Needless to say I am quite out of touch with the newer reel seats. Planning on reels like curado/calcutta in the 200 to 300 size range. Will fish fresh water to inshore salt water. I suppose I'd want a trigger (wouldn't I?). I would be okay with a blank exposed type but I don't think I want a skeleton type (but I'm open to be talking into one). I'm so used to rods having to live in rod holders that I have never considered a split grip handle setup either.

Still miss my silver bantam with pistol gripped fenwick. Money is too tight for a pixie. Anything out there at a reasonable price that will handle salt water and cast an 1/8 ounce jig (at night into a breeze)?

I'll assume I'd look like a dork with a pistol grip these days!

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Russ,

I'm partial to the Batson nylon exposed blank seats. They work quite well for me.

As far as a reel, it's been a while since I've bought a new one. For casting an 1/8oz. jig and plastic, I use a Citica 100DSV and the old Curado 100b, but they've been discontinued for a while. For a round reel, the Cardiff 100A will handle the job, and I think they are still offered. If the budget allows, look for one of the low profile Shimanos in the 100 or 50 size, and you'll be in great shape.

Joe

I like to use Fuji SK2, ECSM and PacBay Minimas. I really liked the old style Castaway exposed seats, but they are different now.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Super Sticker/ Wiebe 15 deg. offset casting seat/grip set. Used to be on the high end G Loomis rods and are now used on the Edge rods Gary makes now. I think they are more comfortable while palming a reel, but they have their disadvantages, as they don't work well with larger diameter blanks due to the offset of the reelseat and rear grip bore.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2013 12:01AM by Spencer Phipps.

Hi Russ,
The Alps seats are also neat and worth a look. Lot of options from aluminium comfort triseats (without a trigger), trilex as well as the colored exposed blank nylon trigger seats.
The Rodworks in South Australia often has a better selection of Alps seats than anybody else. Listed under "components"

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

With out a doubt my favorite reel seat is the new Batson trigger seat.
But sadly it will not be on the market until they debut it at the ICAST show.

With the exception of maybe trimming some of the lock down threads off to shorten there barrel a tad, (like I do on all reel seats) .
It is the first seat I've had my hands on that is perfect right out of the pack.

Fuji ECSM.

Ted Morgan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fuji ECSM.

I second the ECSM. If you have not installed a Fuji SK2 or Minima Split Grip they can be a little tricky. For simplicity and perforamnce it is hard to beat the ECSM....IMHO.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

The ACS reel seat from Fuji is a great reel seat that is very comfortable and lightweight as well. It is a cutout reel seat with pre configured finger slots that make palming a casting reel very easy and manageable. The ACS seat looks great with either a split grip or a full grip as well.


[www.jannsnetcraft.com]

Steve, I "only" need one or two:) Bet it would look purdy on my XP964. Maybe I'll go spin on the XP903.

Reckon I'll have to wait or settle for the ECSM. Thanks for the advice gents!

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Russel
I hate it for you, but understand
Besides being light and comfortable. It is one of the sharpest looking seats I've seen!

I would describe it for you, but was asked not to until it is officially released.
I would look purdy on any rod



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2013 08:29PM by Steve Gardner.

Okay Steve. I'll be a good boy. I won't beg no more and I'll wait till summer. It will give me time to hunt up a recipe and get the ingredients. Looking to do these blanks justice.

Funny but I find myself more conflicted on how to do up the xp903.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.