After trying so many different reel seats, with humps, curves, integrated cork, etc......I keep coming back to the classic DPS style.

You can move your hand up or down for different positions and it stays comfortable, you can use different diameters to fit your hand, and it's easy to match different grips to.

Anyone else feel this way?

Lot's of "cool new stuff" out there - but design wise I just can't seem to beat the classic.

The DPS style remains more ergonomically correct than any of the later models.

..........

Thanks Tom - it's nice to know it's not just me, but that's what I find too.

Personally I hate them. Way to many other options out their that are far more comfortable for holding in the hand, Unless the rod is sitting in a rod holder trolling, I avoid them at all cost. Heck a Cork Tennessee handle is far more comfortable then those.

The standard DPS pipe seat is the best for me. They are straight cylinders. I do not like all the fancy swoops and swerves on newer seats. They might look nice but are horrible to hold.

Jay Dubay Wrote:
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> Personally I hate them. Way to many other options
> out their that are far more comfortable for
> holding in the hand, Unless the rod is sitting in
> a rod holder trolling, I avoid them at all cost.
> Heck a Cork Tennessee handle is far more
> comfortable then those.

For sure people have personal preferences, but stay away from that Kool-Aid Jay. It can be pretty potent. :-)

Almost all my spin rods are built with size 17 DPSSD, like the glossy hood. I like the feel, look, and reliability of it.

I'm a fan of the NPS seat also.

I agree Michael - the size 17 DPS is a perfect fit - the Goldilocks of seats. It's just right.

I like the NPS too Spencer - I just wish they made a size 17. I don't know why they go from 16 to 18 with no 17?

I like these at times. [mudhole.com]

I don’t like holding threads.

I never consistently grip my rod in the same place, sometimes I grip the reel with my fore and middle finger or my middle and third finger or my third finger and pinky. That is dependent on the lure and my casting style at the moment. So being a straight cylinder, the grip feels the same in all positions and I can change hand locations without making any comfort adjustments.

The DPSD 18 is my go to seat.

Have fun

John Santos Wrote:
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> I don’t like holding threads.


Turn the seat around so the threads are out in front of the reel.

Fuji IPS and HPS foregrip are pretty comfy also.

Fuji DPS17 + DPS16 for lightest rods and DPS18 for heavier stuff. Fuji must have had the palm of my right hand as a benchmark, when they designed these seats ;-)

I much prefer the IPS and VSS seats with a hidden thread hood. On larger rods I will go to a DPS seat. I always go down locking.
Norm

There is so much I agree with on this thread!

Spinning rods:

1.) I change my grip and finger position frequently - even during the same cast. The reel stem can be between my index and middle finger, between my middle and ring finger, ring finger and pinky, or all fingers in front of the stem depending on what I want to do at the moment. Palm swells, finger notches, etc. on the reel seat can feel best to me with a certain finger placement - and less so in another.

2.) I find that a 20mm seat fills my hand best. I feel the most contact per square inch with my skin. It takes less 'squeezing' of my fingers to have a comfortable grip - this reduces my hand fatigue over a few hundred casts. The additional skin contact also puts more 'sensitivity' in my hand, IME. Other hands may like other sizes.

3.) My preference for a 20mm seat precludes many seat styles out there as most seem to be limited to 16 or 17 mm sizes. The DPS and DNPS seats are commonly offered in size 16 to 24 mm. Because of this, I discovered that the DPS and DNPS are some of the most comfortable and versatile grips on the market for the way I fish.

4.) The weight differential between the DPS and DNPS seats versus "skeletonized/window" or "super-light" seats is minimal to me in the big picture. I can trim the seat/threads to reduce weight or increase the aesthetics if I want - and I almost always do. The location of the "extra" weight in my Hand is not noticed. That said, I would love to see DPS and DNPS seats offered in more "high tech" materials.. I'm all for reducing weight, but not at the expense of ergonomics.

5.) What feels good in my hands frees my brain to focus on the take at the end of the line.

Casting rods:

1.) The above holds true for me with my casting rigs and why I like the TCS seat - offered in 17 and 18 MM sizes. Simple seat. Fills my hand and feels good for the way I fish - with my index finger touching the rod blank - way ahead of any "windows" or inserts on the reel seat itself.

2.) What I do like on my casting rigs is a palm swell on the Rear Grip, just Behind the reel seat, for casting comfort. So, a 17 or 18 mm TCS seat with a palm swell grip is great for me. After the cast, I move my hand forward to palm the reel and put my index finger on the blank. My hand and fingers come into minimal contact with any "blank exposed" seats, IME

The DPS and DPNS reel seats are an excellent option for any rod builder to consider when building a spinning rod. And I like the TCS on the casting side. I want my reel-to-seat to feel comfortable in a variety of hand holds, secure my reel solidly, and be versatile for up-lock or down-lock configurations.

Les Cline Wrote:
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> > Spinning rods:>
>
> 5.) What feels good in my hands frees my brain to
> focus on the take at the end of the line.
>
>I could not have said it better if I had a week to think about it.

Thanks!

Have fun

I always remove excess threads.

I find the CRB Palm Swell the most comfortable.