A reel seat is a component that hold a fishing reel in place on a fishing rod. If the dimensions of the reel seat do not match the fishing rod blank, the reel will slip through the reel seat or the fishing reel will wobble as the person fishes. In order to avoid these problems, a person must select a reel seat that match the dimensions of the fishing rod blank.
The most important measurement of a reel seat is the inside diameter of the bore of the reel seat. The inside diameter of the bore must match the outside diameter of the fishing rod blank. If the inside diameter of the bore is too small, the fishing rod will not fit into the reel seat.
How to Choose and Fit a Reel Seat
If the inside diameter of the bore is too large, the fishing rod will be to loose within the reel seat, even with the use of tape to fill in the gap. Spinning reel seats is used for spinning fishing rods. Furthermore, spinning reel seats do not have a trigger grip.
Instead, spinning reel seats use a front hood and a rear nut to clamp the foot of the fishing reel. Smaller spinning reel seats are used for light fishing. Medium sized spinning reel seats is used for medium power fishing rods.
If a person chooses a spinning reel seat that is too large for the fishing rod, it can overpower the flexibility of the fishing rod. On the other hand, if a person chooses a spinning reel seat that is too small for the fishing rod, it will not allow for the fishing rod to fit within the spinning reel seat. Baitcasting reel seats are used for baitcasting fishing rods.
Furthermore, baitcasting reel seats has a trigger grip with which a person can hold the fishing rod. Baitcasting reel seats that are compact in size is used for finesse fishing. On the other hand, sturdy baitcasting reel seats are used for heavy fishing rods.
Heavy baitcasting reel seats are used to hold large, round bodied fishing reels for use with large lures. The logic of the bore of baitcasting reel seats is the same as that of spinning reel seats because both requires the diameter to match that of the fishing rod. Fly fishing reel seats have a completely different function from those of spinning and baitcasting reel seats.
For fly fishing, the fishing reel hangs beneath the handle of the fishing rod. Furthermore, fly fishing reel seats use up locking nuts or down locking nuts. In addition to the type of fishing for which a person intends to use the fishing rod, the size of the fly fishing reel also has an impact on the size of the reel seat.
For instance, large fly fishing reel seats are used for saltwater fishing, whereas small fly fishing reel seats are used for delicate dry fly fishing. Additionally, some fly fishing reel seats use a skeleton design for their reels. The reason that these designs are used is to allow vibrations from the fishing rod to easy transfer to the person fishing.
The material of a fishing reel seat impacts the weight of that reel seat, its strength, and its resistance to salt. Graphite is one material that may be used to make reel seats. Graphite is light in weight and inexpensive.
However, it is somewhat soft when compare to other materials. Aluminum is another material that is used to make reel seats. Aluminum is often anodized to increase its resistance to salt.
Furthermore, titanium and carbon are used for high end reel seats because they are the lightest and most durable materials. Wood is an ingredient in some reel seats, specifically those used for fly fishing. Additionally, stainless steel is used in reel seats that will be used in saltwater environments.
Using the wrong material for the fishing rod can lead to the reel seat corroding or the fishing rod becoming unbalanced due to the weight of the reel seat. In order to properly install a reel seat onto a fishing rod, the person will first have to measure the girth of the fishing rod. Tape can be used to make the fishing rod fit within the reel seat.
Additionally, the person will have to apply epoxy generously within the bore of the reel seat. The person will then place the reel seat onto the fishing rod, aligning the reel seat with the spine of the fishing rod. The person will then rotate the reel seat on a dryer to allow the epoxy to set.
Finally, the person will test the installation of the reel seat to make sure that the fishing reel does not rock within the reel seat. If the person misaligns the reel seat, the guides on the fishing rod will not function correctly with the reel seat. A person can make several mistakes when purchasing or installing a reel seat on a fishing rod.
For instance, a person might purchase a reel seat that is too large to allow for the fishing rod to fit within the reel seat. Furthermore, if a person ignores the length of the foot of the fishing reel, it is possible that the nut on the reel seat may spin loose while fighting a fish. Finally, using a cheap coating on a reel seat that will be used in saltwater environments will eventually cause the reel seat to pit and corrode.
However, if a person mock-ups the reel seat with tape prior to installing it on the fishing rod, the person can avoid these mistakes. Its important to remember that you’re choosing the right equipment based off the fish you want to catch. Dont let teh wrong reel seat ruin your day.
You should of checked the diameter first. Actually, some people find that the reel seats size matter alot more then they thought.