I am getting ready to order a real seat for my United Composites GUSA-79Mega build. It will be used for mostly Lingcod and a little for Albacore. I might even try tossing some bigger largemouth bass swimbaits with it. I’ve got level and non-level wind reel options. I’m considering an Alps Aluminum Trigger reel seat. I’ll be casting with the rod some and find the security of a trigger to be reassuring on a long day with fatigued hands and wrists.

I’ve not seen or owned a saltwater rod with a triggered reel seat. Is there a function that this feature could interfere with? I probably won’t troll with this rod. I don’t want to mess up its use by missing something. Thanks.

In the past, many saltwater rods simply didn't have trigger seats. At least part of that was because trigger seats weren't made in the larger sizes need to fit over some of those large diameter saltwater blanks.

Only considerations I'd look at that might preclude using a trigger seat would be rod holders (will it fit properly) seat clamps, etc. Otherwise if you like a trigger, it's your rod. You can always cut the trigger off later if is interferes with anything.

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Kendall,

This is definitely a personal preference. I imagine you will be casting things like spoons/ buzz bombs as well as your swimbaits. I have cast buzz bombs and other shore fishing lures for salmon/cod without a trigger. To me a trigger isn't extremely necessary because you are typically casting with both hands on the rod so there is some reinforcement there. On the flip side it would be nice to control the twist with the heavy reel on top. The trigger doesn't automatically count it out as a trolling rod either. As long as your rod holder has an opening in the bottom and there is clearance to the boat the trigger will seat in that opening. Since you have to angle the rod up to remove from the holder it clears the triggers with no worries. The trigger in that situation would be there but you would not use it because your hand is not typically on the reel seat when fighting a fish caught trolling/down-rigging. I personally pull the rod out by the fore-grip and keep it there.

To me the trigger on rods is more for retrieve/presentation than the cast. Typically when fishing for something akin to bass or other inshore/freshwater fish you are working the rod and reeling the slack or doing both at the same time. The handle length is generally shorter so the arm that holds the rod bares the majority of the load. When casting a spoon or jigging you are not typically keeping a hand on the reel. If I am the butt of the rod is planted into my belt line most of the time so that my reel hand is not supporting anything. If it is a dedicated vertical jigging blank like I would use for rock or Lingcod then I prefer a handle that goes past my elbow so when I jig up the rod is leveraged against my whole arm. I will temporarily jig with one hand if I have a beverage in the other.


Sincerely,
Aaron

There is also the palm trigger reel seat option, a bit of assurance with something against your hand and at the same time not having anything that may crowd your hand with a larger reel installed. Just remember no matter what seat you get it has to fit your reel, sizing only to the blank can decrease your reel options unnecessarily.

I use Fuji's palming trigger grip on my tuna jig rods. The seat is larger and moves the trigger toward the rear of the reel seat so that your entire hand can rest in front of the trigger. This allows you to palm the side of the reel while jigging . I find the reel seats very comfortable. However, if you are going to use a reel where you want/need to use a rod clamp, doing so would certainly defeat the purpose of the palming reel seat.

I used the alps aluminum reel seat for my Swimbait rod and couldn’t be happier. Never once have I miss having a trigger. I also did a spiral wrap so that might help with any twist.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Nice looking rod Michael..i use DPS pipe seats for fly, spin and casting..tennessee style a lot too..no triggers anymore..

I have what Daniel mentioned. I like it.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks everyone. I had forgotten about the saltwater sized Fuji palming seat with the trigger. I spent too much time electro-fishing mountain streams as a biologist. It may sound like fun, but it is very hard on a person’s shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Most people who do this a lot end up with surgeries. When fatigued, my grasp can involuntary release some in fast twitch situations, like casting. I’ll definitely go with a trigger on this rod without any further doubt about function.

For specks and reds I like a trigger, just like a bass rod with a levelwind.

For specks and reds I like a trigger, just like a bass rod with a levelwind.