I need two each in 16mm and 17mm spin graphite reel seat which exposes the blank for bite detection. I have a large parts order (large for me anyway) going out Thurs. I am willing to shift a large portion of that order to anyone who can find these seats for me (will be buying wholesale) I can not use the exposed trigger reel seat, must be spin seat. Please respond on the board if you are going to contact me, I will check the board at work, if there is a reply, I will go home and email you for the details.

Signed,
Frantic in Wisconsin,

Buzz Butters
B & B Custom Flies and Rods
Ripon, WI

Buzz,

I would expect someone will contact you with what you need. For what it's worth, I would add that a properly mounted seat with some type of rigid, yet lightweight arbors, offers the same degree of "bite detection" as any seat that exposes the blank.

I also realize that your customer may have specified such an "exposed blank" seat and will not try to talk you out of it. They appear to be getting more popular each day and I am sure that if some manufacturer doesn't currently offer them, they soon will.

My mind also began racing with various ways on how you could make your own from the more standard type seats now available. If no one answers your call, please email me and perhaps we can get together by phone and discuss the ways in which you could fabricate your own.

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

How about Fuji skeleton mounted with the threads toward the tip. Cut out portion of the threads and stablized wood arbor incoraprated into the forgrip. Cutout would be for the thumb to rest on the blank. Oh my a brainstorm! I'm going down to see if I can work one up!

Buzz, Good luck with your search. I spent two months looking about a year ago. Obviously they are made because they are used on factory made rods. Both Quantum and Berkly have used them for several years. I hope you find them because I too could use a bunch.

Ron Hord
ronhord111@home.com

If you can't find the reel seat you want try a Tennissee graphite handle. If you need to permanitly attatach your reel try and attaching the collars at each end...Good luck

I've been modifying Fuji spin seats to expose the blank for a customer that cannot be convinced that a well built and mounted reel seat would serve the same purpose. I use these on 6.5' light baitcasting rods with no foregrip and only a foam ball on the butt end of the blank. The individual that uses them won't fish with anything else, but so far (thank goodness) he is the only one that likes them.