I'm thinking about trying a split seat (alps, minima) on a spin rod and as wondering what people have found as far as pros & cons. It appears to me that your thumb will rest on the threads of the seat hood which seems uncomfortable. I like the Idea of reduced weight and blank contact for sensitivity. Just seeing what some opinions might be.
Thanks
Todd

if it is split or not that is the spot that my thunb rest most of the time , because of the way I hold the spinning rod , not becuuse of the handle if it is split or not

William Sidney
AK

I only use uplocking seats so that my thumb rests on hood or foregrip. But downlocknig seat is opposite.

I have good size hands and I used the Alps split seat in both spinning and casting and find them comfortable. I don't like the fuji sk reel seats though. I find that void is uncomfortable in the spinning version.

I've heard that about the SK seats. Sounds like the alps are a better design.

A spinning reel is different than a casting reel.
With a casting reel, the hand is either behind, or in front of the reel. Therefore a split reel seat makes sense, since you never have your hand resting in the spot where there is no reel seat.

However, with a spinning reel, the palm of the hand is always resting in the middle of the reel seat. So, in my opinion, a grip with no middle would be very uncomfortable.

A skeletal reel seat is fine, where the reel seat is split and then the center is filled in with cork, wood or other material.

Be safe

I prefer up locking spinning seats to keep fingers away from threads.
The Minima seat can be used in an up locking configuration.

Take a look at the PAC bay GBS exposed blank spinning real seat. Up locking with blank exposed where your thumb would be, I trim the back threads to be flush and use a large rubber winding check on the front and back with no rear grip. It makes for a lightweight sensitive grip.

Todd, I personally like the Alps over the SKS or Minima. It just feels better in my hand.

my .02

Go uplocking and put a ramp approx the same diameter as the hood off the front and you will have a very comfortable seat. Make the ramp out of foam reel seat shims for minimum weight.

Like this: [www.rodbuilding.org]

I've heard a few complaints on the sk's for the big gap under the hand.
I do have a PB exposed seat and think it would be great but the 16 seems small for my hand. Pretty sure 18 too big. And I've been told they're discontinued.
May try an alps. Looks like thumb may rest ok on hood and not threads. But may still be too small for my hand. I guess I won't know til I try.
Thanks for input

Todd, if you are looking for light weight and good ergonomics look at an Alps Bpst it has a textured finish which is very comfortable. If you cut the threads down to fit your seat and make it down locking there is no need for any grips and you can put your finger right on the blank.

My hand is 8" from wrist line to tip of middle finger x 4" wide. I prefer the 18.

I don't see downlocking ever being as comfortable as uplocking. The threads won't just disappear; the hood is there either way. A small, smooth ramp off the front hood of an uplocking seat (size 17 alps is right for me) makes a good transition and if done in foam with epoxy over the top, will be as sensitive as the blank. or very close. No sharp edges at all.

If you cut the threads right you end up with the same front edge as you would on a standard reel seat. You are only touching the hood and the blank.

Put your reel on the seat grab it and see which way you like it With the seat on a piece of scrap or a dowel

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2014 10:03AM by bill boettcher.