For me, I like the DPS seats - but I find the AmTak G3 and Seaguide Alien seats to be the most ergonomic I've used. They do well with varying grip positions throughout the day too. A nice combo of some good looks, and good utility.

Good or bad ergonomic?

Alex, I can't seem to find a CRB palm swell seat. (aside from the one I linked to) Any help?

I don’t like them, but I let go of them decades ago and have no muscle/tactile memory for them. The spinning rod has been a minor tool in my rod arsenal my entire adult life, so that likely helped. I bought a Bantam baitcaster the summer I turned 18 and got into fly fishing a few years later. The pipes feel really awkward now, like a shaped style probably feels to those who have only used the pipes for many years. My Dad was only comfortable using an Estwing hammer because he was so used to its feel. A carpenter friend of mine didn’t like using anything other than a Vaughan. They were likely both right.

I was hesitant to post to this thread because prior to recently, all of the factory spinning rods I've ever used had pipe style reel seats on them. When I started building, I just used what I was used to, so I had been using a Forecast skeleton reel seat for all of the spinning rods I've built. The only difference between the spinning rods I've built, and the factory rods I used to use, is that I mount the seat down locking, instead of up locking. I can certainly understand people liking the pipe style seat, as I find them very comfortable to use.

On the most recent spinning rods I've built, I went to using an American Tackle, G2 Apex reel seat. Mostly because I thought it was a really cool looking reel seat. But I did have concerns about how comfortable it would be over a long day of fishing. This past weekend I spent one entire day fishing with nothing but a spinning rod. That's very rare for me, but because I had this thread in mind, I wanted to find out just how comfortable, or uncomfortable the Apex would be if being used for the entire day.

I thought that maybe its' design would prove to be uncomfortable with extended use, but after fishing with one all day, concerns about it's comfort were unfounded. It's a very comfortable seat to fish with. I have the seats mounted up locking, and hold a spinning rod with the reel stem between my middle and ring finger, which puts the heel of my hand on the hood assembly. I trim down the length of the thread barrel to as short as I can. Having only enough threads left to allow the mounting of the reel. The heel of my hand doesn't touch any of the threads of the thread barrel, which is what I hated about the up locking seats on the factory rods I used to use.

Anyhow ..... all n all I am very happy with the comfort of the Apex. It's pretty dang comfy to fish with. And IMO, it's really cool looking.

David - that's how I mount my Apex reel seats as well - and my experience is the same as yours. VERY comfortable seats. For me, the Seaguide Alien is even better.

Rick, I've looked at that Alien reel seat. It looks nice, and probably very comfy to fish with.

I have a spinning rod I built using an XO skeleton reel seat / grip, that looks like it was modeled after the Aero reel seat, but with a less pronounced hump. It's very comfortable to fish with as well. A little warm to the touch when it's been laying in direct mid day sun, but not much more than the Apex, or the Forecast skeleton seats I've used in the past.

Of course I'm in northeast Ohio, so we don't get the same kind of blazing sun they get in other parts of the country, this time or year.

I have bigger hands and like the Fuji vss 17. I build it down locking with Fuji TVS Ergonomic Spinning Reel Seat Special Hood Nut for BACK STOP Lock Nut. And then BACK STOP Lock Nut with Hidden Thread Sleeve for Fuji Reel Seats PTS & TVS. Grips are NFCG608C01 and NFCG619C01. Can move grip around for casting, working bait, or fighting fish and always have a secure and comfortable spot.

Just something to consider when we talk about reel seat size - the number listed is the ID of the seat. The OD will generally be about 4 to 5mm larger than the seat size ID. A size 18 seat for instance, has an OD of about 22 to 23mm.

When I published the articles on seat ergonomics and many tried the measurement factor, they said "this calls for a size 22 seat. That can't be right!" Well, no, it calls for a size 18 if you're needing a 22mm outside diameter.

...............

IMO contoured reel seats tend force one to grip the rod (seat) at a specific location, When I am fishing my hand/hands roam all over the grip, a "pipe" grip gives me a consistent feel along the entire seat and eliminates the distraction of any discomfort adjustments.

It's the old story you do what makes your boat float.

Have fun.

David Baylor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...
> Anyhow ..... all n all I am very happy with the
> comfort of the Apex. It's pretty dang comfy to
> fish with. And IMO, it's really cool looking.


David...I have an Apex G2 down locking on a MHX CB841.
I totally love this set up. The Apex is a little thinner than what I was use too...but this actually turn out to be quite comfortable.

Chris, my memory may not be spot on, but if I remember correctly, your posting of a picture of the G2 Apex seat on one of your rods, is what got me looking at the Apex. I believe I even asked you a question or two about it. If not you ..... then someone else I guess. lol

Anyhow, I was surprised how comfy the spinning seats with humps in them, are to fish. I use size 17 reel seats on spinning rods because they fill my hand a bit better. The 17 Apex feels perfect. In contrast, I mentioned having built a spinning rod on which I used an XO skeleton grip. While it's pretty dang comfortable to fish with, it's the size of a size 16 seat. I don't find it as comfortable as the Apex.

I'm curious about this new TCH spinning seat Fuji's come out with. The NHSS (narrow hump spinning seat) in particular. It's a sweet looking seat, with a ridge running down the center of the top, much like the Apex, Curious if anyone here that's been reading this thread has any hands on experience with the seat? I'd love to hear their impressions of the seat before I lay out the almost $47 for one.

David Baylor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chris, my memory may not be spot on, but if I
> remember correctly, your posting of a picture of
> the G2 Apex seat on one of your rods, is what got
> me looking at the Apex.

..spot on... Dec of last year...I forgot ;)

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