Reel Seat problems?

I could use some help. I have a great 8wt fly rod for Salt water with a
reel seat that is difficult to lock. No matter how hard I twist the
locking ring, the reel (or reels) never sits securely, always has a bit
of a wobble. How do I rectify this? Do I have to get the whole reel
seat changed? If so, how? Or, better yet, where do I send it to get
it changed? Can it be changed at all? Any advice would be helpful,
because I'd like to get it fixed before the salt fly season begins.
Thanks.


--
UlrichsM

Mike Ulrichs
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On Mar 11, 1:53 am, UlrichsM wrote:
I could use some help. I have a great 8wt fly rod for Salt water with a
reel seat that is difficult to lock. No matter how hard I twist the
locking ring, the reel (or reels) never sits securely, always has a bit
of a wobble. How do I rectify this? Do I have to get the whole reel
seat changed? If so, how? Or, better yet, where do I send it to get
it changed? Can it be changed at all? Any advice would be helpful,
because I'd like to get it fixed before the salt fly season begins.
Thanks.

--
UlrichsM

Mike Ulrichs
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The simplest method is to shim your reel foot. This can be done using
epoxy and a piece of plastic or metal. ( wood will give you a
temporary fix, see below) The problem is caused because your reel
foot is slimmer than the reel locking rings, and these have also been
forced open because you have been turning the locking ring too
tightly.

This means that the reel foot is not locked down by the taper on the
reel seating rings, but only held at the ends of the reel foot,
allowing it to move from side to side, regardless of how hard you
tighten the locking ring.

You could also shim the upper side of the reel foot, but this will
widen the reel seating rings even more, and you will have to do it for
every reel you use on the rod.

A simple temporary fix is to put a piece of wood ( spatula from a
dentist etc) under the reel seat, and do not overtighten the locking
rings.

You could fit a new reel seat, it is not difficult, but if you only
normally use tzhe same reel on the rod, then just shim the foot, son
that the tapered locking rings actually engage the metal of the foot.

TL
MC

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:53:13 -0400, UlrichsM
wrote:

I could use some help. I have a great 8wt fly rod for Salt water with a
reel seat that is difficult to lock. No matter how hard I twist the
locking ring, the reel (or reels) never sits securely, always has a bit
of a wobble. How do I rectify this? Do I have to get the whole reel
seat changed? If so, how? Or, better yet, where do I send it to get
it changed? Can it be changed at all? Any advice would be helpful,
because I'd like to get it fixed before the salt fly season begins.
Thanks.

Seats can certainly be replaced. It's not a huge deal, but if you've never
built a rod it's an exercise best performed by someone who knows the drill.

Maybe one of your njflyfishing.com buddies knows of someone that builds custom
rods in your area that you can take it to. If not, I can recommend someone in
southern Massachusetts...

/daytripper

Also. on quite a few modern reel feet, the foot is too long and too
slim for the reel seat on many rods. You can just cut a quarter of an
inch or so off each end of the reel foot, and the tapered locking
rings will then once again engage the surface of the reel foot,
instead of just clamping the ends, and allowing the reel to "wobble".

TL
MC

A cheap, easy fix might be to just put a strip or two of adhesive or
duct tape on the bottom of the reel foot. It's worth a try, anyway.


--
Andy
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"daytripper" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:53:13 -0400, UlrichsM
wrote:

I could use some help. I have a great 8wt fly rod for Salt water with a
reel seat that is difficult to lock. No matter how hard I twist the
locking ring, the reel (or reels) never sits securely, always has a bit
of a wobble. How do I rectify this? Do I have to get the whole reel
seat changed? If so, how? Or, better yet, where do I send it to get
it changed? Can it be changed at all? Any advice would be helpful,
because I'd like to get it fixed before the salt fly season begins.
Thanks.

Seats can certainly be replaced. It's not a huge deal, but if you've never
built a rod it's an exercise best performed by someone who knows the
drill.

Maybe one of your njflyfishing.com buddies knows of someone that builds
custom
rods in your area that you can take it to. If not, I can recommend someone
in
southern Massachusetts...

/daytripper

I think dt has the right idea. There are aftermarket reel-seats, and even
different seat thicknesses from your own reel brand. I would first check
with the company of the reel you have, then check your LFS (local fly shop)
to see what they offer...bring your rod and reel for fit...as a lot of seats
are interchangeable.

In my case, my Galvan reel wouldn't fit on my fly-rod correctly from
the seat being too thick. I called Lou Galvan and he sent me a thinner reel
seat, plus two screws and the wrench to make the repair...all for free.
I told him I could send him back the thicker seat, but he told me to just
keep it.
-tom

Daytripper, thanks for the reply. I think the reel seat is just not of
high quality and I probably should just get the whole seat replaced.
Let me know the info you have on that place in Mass. so I could perhaps
contact them. Thanks again.


--
UlrichsM

Mike Ulrichs
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On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:03:15 -0400, UlrichsM
wrote:

Daytripper, thanks for the reply. I think the reel seat is just not of
high quality and I probably should just get the whole seat replaced.
Let me know the info you have on that place in Mass. so I could perhaps
contact them. Thanks again.

Dan Trela is the guy to contact. He does awesome work - the rods he built for
me are as nice to look at as they are to fish, and his prices are reasonable.

Give him a yell.

Trela Custom Rods
Div. of D.T. Kustom Tackle
16 Woodland Heights
Ware, MA 01082
413-967-3430

Contact: Dan Trela
Custom rod and rod kits featuring SAGE
banks and the finest REC reel seat
components and accessories.

Cheers

/daytripper