I could use some advice on reel seat placement for maximum casting distance. I am building my second surf rod, a 12' 8" CCP, conventional set up, with a Fuji DPSM 22 mm seat, Kw guides, 25 0r 20, 16, 12, 10, two 8s, and a 8 or 10 ring tip. Some say to measure from the arm pit extending the arm down the blank to the thumb resting point. Others recommend placing the butt in the center of the chest and extending the arm down to the thumb resting point. Is it better to use the longer dimension for further casting distance? Also is there a preferred method for measuring distance from the reel to the first guide? Is this similar to the method used for a spinning reel?

I would greatly appreciate any guidance on the seat placement, and if it is better to use the 25 or 20 mm guide. Again I am a novice and want to get this set up right.

Tom Wood



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2021 07:57PM by Tom Wood.

I've always set my rod up from the fighting part of fishing. I put the butt where I'll have it when reeling in a fish. This is typically my lower abdomen. Then I put my non-reeling hand where I'll have it when fighting a good sized fish, which is usually where the foregrip will go. Then I put my reeling hand where it feels best to crank the handle. That's how I set it up. As far as the guides go; what reel do you plan on using and what line will you have on the reel?

AKIOS 656 reel, 17 lb mono

Thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2021 05:27PM by Tom Wood.

I'm not a surf caster but I have always been curious to try casting with the reel in the low position with the weak hand thumb on the spool. I'd probably put a regular reel seat around 26" from the butt of the rod and use the breakaway coasters when casting low and regular seat for fishing. Wouldn't be too bad for bait to move the reel after casting and just cast in normal/high position for lures.

Worth taking a look at if you haven't heard of it.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks for the input.

Tom in Bethany Beach, DE

I wouldn't take any chances of making a mistake if you plan on having a reel seat permanently attached . You should tape that reel to the blank at various positions and go through the motions and find out which position you're most comfortable with as far as hand placement . Conventional surf casting builds typically have wider spacing of the hands to generate the power needed to throw those 12 and 13 foot rods impressive distances meaning a longer overall butt length is the norm unless you prefer what Russell mentioned which is the reel near the bottom of the rod for casting purposes.

Since you bought a CCP Tommy Farmer heaver I would suggest watching Tommy Farmer on You Tube he explains exactly how to set up and cast those exact models that he sells , Hatteras heavers is what many call those giant sticks . Tommy happens to be a gem of a guy always willing to help and he loves and sells those Akios reel models .

Tom,
For maximum casting distance, many folks do a running cast.

Are you planning on doing running casts - when you are going for maximum distance.

If so, you may want the reel in a different location than if you were stationary when you do your casting.

Take care

Here is a video of some long distance casting competitions.

Observe when the folks are waling away with their long rod tucked under their arm.

You can get a pretty good idea of where these folks have their reels that they use when they are doing championship long distance casting.

[www.youtube.com]

Great suggestion, I have watched Tommy's videos, and will ask him for guidance.

Thanks so much.

Thanks Roger,

My casts are fairly stationary, turning and shifting my weight, much like a golfer.

Tom