Hey all. Building an inshore 8 ft 6 rod with a Van Staal VR 50 to pair with it. Decided to go with the Alps Centra lock reel seat. Would the size 16 or 18 reel seat feet fit the VR 50?

David,
Without knowing the line rating of your saltwater blank, only that a size 50 reel will be employed, a size 16 or 18 seat may be on the small side. Although a size 50 reel may fit the hoods of the smaller seats, why not use a 20 or 22, possibly even a 24 for more in-hand comfort?

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Thanks, Mark. Size 22 and 24 just wouldn't look/feel right on this blank. Using a Century Weapon Jr and it's pretty whippy weighing in at about 4 oz. Trying to keep the weight down as much as possible. Feels weird saying that while going with an aluminum reel seat, but longetivity is a big for me.

Hi David,
I took a look around the shop and couldn't find that Van Staal model. I did find a fairly large Accurate spinner, but there's no way to confirm the foot is the same. It would be nice if the salt reel companies agreed on a standard foot size like the fly reel guys did.
My best guess is that the CAH18WCM Centra-Lock would fit just fine. The CAH20M fits just about anything out there. That's our "guaranteed to fit" model in the Alps Centra-Lock. That said, if I were you building on that nice blank with that nice reel, I'd pair it with the Alps Wave Form model AWF18-S. You can check it out here: [batsonenterprises.com] IMO the best saltwater spin seat ever designed. Feels awesome, looks awesome. Hope this helps.

-Geoff at Batson
BatsonEnterprises.com