Thread: Reel Seat help....

I bought an older, custom rod off ebay. Two piece. Cork looks like it was barely ever used. The reel seat is aluminum with two locking screw down rings. Problem is the seats are too big for any of my reels. It holds them in place, but the reel is a little too wobbly for my taste. Do they make spacers for this purpose?

I'd cut a piece of electric tape down the center and roll it up real tight, try a 1" piece first and go longer as needed, them repeat the process, when you have two identical pieces that fit in the edges of the reel seat well, insert the reel foot, if you still have wiggle room, roll the tape up a bit thicker, if the reel doesn't fit, make them smaller

The problem of the reel seats being too big for your reels is another way of saying, your reels are too small. Get a bigger reel. Balance means everything in fishing. Larger more powerful rods tend to have larger reel seats, so deal with it the right way by balancing it. Go a bit larger on everything down to your line and bait.

There is probably a single reason why there aren't any reel adapter shim type doodads out there. The reason being balance, or more specifically the inability to balance reliability with ergonomics.

Originally Posted by DRH

The problem of the reel seats being too big for your reels is another way of saying, your reels are too small. Get a bigger reel. Balance means everything in fishing. Larger more powerful rods tend to have larger reel seats, so deal with it the right way by balancing it. Go a bit larger on everything down to your line and bait.

There is probably a single reason why there aren't any reel adapter shim type doodads out there. The reason being balance, or more specifically the inability to balance reliability with ergonomics.

I have a couple of 65 class okuma reels, which is the next to the largest they make. Both wobble. I'm wondering if maybe this rod was made back when the reel feet were bigger? I know practically nothing about old salt water gear, so if my ignorance is showing I can't help it. Seems like I've heard talk about the old Penn's having thicker feet? The rod is an 8.5 feet 2 piece fiberglass rod, but it is medium action at best. Kind of whippy. I've got very little in it -- just want to see if it will sling a cig and kill a king.

Got any recommendations on reels with larger feet?

I agree with DRH, I feel like a googan for not immediately thinking of balance, th Penn slammers have larger feet, my 760 needs either a size 24 standard reel seat or a 22 deluxe, they are kind of pricey, but they are COMPLETELY worth the money, they are the most stable reels I've ever handled, so for a bigger rod I'd use a 760, I think they are like $169, not 100% sure though

I see a few people with their reels tightly/securely wrapped to their rods with tape. Maybe lock the reel down tight as possible with the reel seat and then add a tight wrapping with tape.

Thanks for the help. I'll check out the 760. The rod has a big handle, but honestly, I don't think it has the backbone to be considered "heavy." I'll bring it down next week and see what happens. If it throws good, I may look for a reel to balance it out good.

Fin, that is obviously some high quality electrical tape right there.

Thanks guys, for your help. No shims, but before I invest in another reel I want to fish this rod and see if I like it. The rolled up tape, googan or not, worked fine to tighten up the slack as a temporary "fix." I used teflon plumber's tape instead of electrical, though, since the reel I'm putting on the rod is white. It didn't look as good as that electrical tape on the Van Stall, but I can live with it.

Now if only a good king run will happen to test it out next week.....

Get an old 302 Mitchell, those things have the biggest foot of any reel I can think of. Those oldskool spinners won't just up and fit any rod (reel seat). Try it and if you don't like it, peddle it off as a set up vintage travel combo.

Originally Posted by Rich1

Thanks guys, for your help. No shims, but before I invest in another reel I want to fish this rod and see if I like it. The rolled up tape, googan or not, worked fine to tighten up the slack as a temporary "fix." I used teflon plumber's tape instead of electrical, though, since the reel I'm putting on the rod is white. It didn't look as good as that electrical tape on the Van Stall, but I can live with it.

Now if only a good king run will happen to test it out next week.....

Good idea, just wished I'd known before you did it. I have a 100 yard roll of white vinyl surveyor's flagging, that I would have and still will give to you.