Which reel seat? Help Also help with guide color on a slate rod

Buddy is building me a rod he ordered both... Which one should I have him put on my rod?
It is a Kistler LTA blank.....
Anyone ever use one of these?
http://www.mudhole.com/New-Pro...-Seat

Does it hold the reel tight while reeling in a good sized fish?
The other option
http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Ou...-Seat

Is the Pacific bay one quite a bit lighter than the Fuji??

Also not sure what color to go with on the guides? Suggestions and pics?

One other thing... What size should they be you think? Rod is a 6' 6" med action.
Thanks, Kurtis

First of all I think your rod builder should be answering these questions about the reel seat and guide size. A lot of it has to do with his skill and area of expertise. You don't want him doing something he's not comfortable with.

Personally, I hate the FUJI ACS, it is not comfortable at all if you palm the reel.

I really like the PacBay and it works well (despite what others will say). I've built close to 20 with those seats without an issue.

The PacBay will be lighter than a stock ACS, but a cut down Fuji ECS will be a few grams lighter than the PacBay. Your guy can shave a few off the PacBay to reduce the weight.

The color of the guides would be my last worry.

What do you plan on using it for and with what line?

I'm become a big fan of micro guide especially the American Tackle Nanolites (titanium frames). They rock. Otherwise you could go with a spiral wrap with the standard set up No. 8, No. 6 bumper, No 8 and the rest No. 6s . Tried and true and works no matter what.

Good luck and enjoy your new rod.




Modified by PA Officer at 6:00 AM 7/1/2009

I like the ACM, but I just put together a spinning rod using the PacBay. It seems to be a super reel seat. I'm looking forward to using the trigger version. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Thanks guys!

Just a hobby a buddy is starting, not his business or anything.
Leaning towards the pac then....
It will get a Citica or a E7 on it, 12lbish line, not sure technique wise but I am sure I will find a place for it.

I would be more concerned about the blank than anything else. Pretty sure Kistler does not sell their blanks. If it came off an auction site I would be concerned. Hope for your sake that I am wrong.

The ACSM seat can be split-making a very comfortable and sharp looking lightweight seat.

Boon's Hobby Rod Builder here....

By appearance, the rods look good. The only thing I can find on them is that if you look down the blank you can see that it is not perfectly straight, but you've got to be looking really close to see it. I do not think you will even be able to notice it when it's all done.

I do appreciate the feedback guys, thanks.

Hope you don't mind me chiming in Booner.


Modified by Koldkut at 7:29 AM 6/25/2009

Kold - it's not straightness that is the issue with those. There are some other issues and drama associated with those blanks. Answer this... why would Kistler, who does not make blanks (they buy from a manufacturer) suddenly have a run of LTA blanks available through a third party on ebay when they still make LTAs and you can't buy any of the other blanks? Hmmm. Maybe you summed it up with "By appearance" http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

ACS - Hurts your hand fishing all day. Go ECS. The Minimas are ok, but ECS is lighter when split - lighter than a split ACS too. The first runs of minimas had some trouble with reels popping out. Haven't used them so can't speak to it well.

Make your life easy - go all black and tell 'em you got a stealth rod.

http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif for micros. And yes your builder should be helping you make some of these selections based on his experience. If he isn't aware of all these options chances are he doesn't know how to employ it's use.

They guy that sells them is Trey's father in law. He gets that rods to sell on ebay.
I have had zero problems with his rods and neither has buddy that has over 10 other ones.

Not to worried about it. If it breaks I am in it for the cost maybe a tad more. Kold is building the rod.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PA Officer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Personally, I hate the FUJI ACM, it is not comfortable at all if you palm the reel.


</TD></TR></TABLE>
I think that's a matter of taste. I love the ACS's, and think they are the most comfortable for palming. To me, these come in a close second:
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/t....aspx

As long as you are happy with the rod, and feel you got your moneys worth out of the blank your are good to go...just keep in mind there may be no warranty on something like that.

The PacBay Minima seat's (along with the castaway split seat) had issues with the rear reelfoot recess not being deep enough. This defect would cause reels to pop loose if the rod was flexed deeply into the blank. This issue has been resolved I think. I personally like to use the Castaway fully exposed seat and split those, the front barrel is arborless so it is one less step.

I personally don't like the ACS seat either, but some do. Be sure to feel one on a rod first.

I know some other guys have mentioned the micro guides. I use them on all of my rods....so does Cidgrad. They are great guides when used appropriately. If your builder isnt sure about them have him drop me an email and I'll get him setup.