Over the winter I installed Fuji SK2 split reel seats on 3 new casting rods and also retrofitted them on 8 of my older rods (replacing standard Fuji ECSM’s). Initially their lighter weight was appealing to me, but unfortunately, I’ve since determined that I don’t like the SK2’s (because of the way I grip the rods). It goes without saying that comfort trumps light weight. My other rods have Castaway reel seats (split) and I really like them, so I was going to remove the SK2’s and replace with Castaways. But since they’re no longer available, I set about to determine suitable alternatives. Of the 3 candidates I chose (Fuji TCSM, ECSM and PacBay Minima Split seat), the ECSM (split) was surprisingly the lightest. All the rods have now been retrofitted with the ECSM split seats and are much more satisfactory, comfort-wise……and also a bit lighter.

Reel seat weights are as follows:
Fuji SK2 Split Seat 17.1 g (.60 oz) (incl. “trigger”, thd’d barrel (shortened), lock nut, (2) arbors, (3) winding checks (WCS)
Fuji TCSM16 (standard) 29.5 g (1.04 oz)
Fuji TCSM16 (skeletonized) 19.3 g (.68 oz) (incl. “trigger”, thd’d barrel, lock not, (2) arbors, (2) winding checks (WCS)
Fuji ECSM11 (standard) 25.2 g (.89 oz)
Fuji ECSM11 (skeletonized) 15.6 g (.55 oz) (incl. “trigger”, thd’d barrel, lock nut, arbor, (2) winding checks (WCS)
Castaway (standard)27.2 g (.96 oz)
Castaway (skeletonized) 20.4 g (.72 oz) (incl. “trigger, thd’d barrel, lock nut)
PacBay Minima Split Seat (standard) 24.3 g (.86 oz) (incl. “trigger”, thd’d barrel, lock nut, arbor, (2) winding checks (WCS)
PacBay Minima Split Seat (skeletonized) 17 g (.60 oz) (incl. “trigger”, thd’d barrel (shortened), lock nut, arbor, (2) winding checks (WCS)

Jim,

Thanks for sharing! Great info.

Joe

Jim,
If you use 5 pieces of cork for a reel seat and handle, and 2 pieces of cork for a butt cap and use tape to tape the reel to the cork , the rod will have less weight yet.

Good luck
REW

Jim
how long you shortened the barrel?

Jim, can you comment on comfort? Given that we are talking 0.44 ounces, at most, I'm thinking going for comfort trumps going for weight. Is a difference of 10 grams something noticeable? Is it enough to be a deal breaker?

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Ernest,
I emailed you pictures of where the barrel is shortened.

Russ,
Not sure what kind of comment you want on "comfort". I already said that “comfort trumps weight”. As far as .44 oz. being noticeable……I guess it depends on what kind of rod we’re talking about. On a 6 or 7 ounce rod….probably not. Most of my med-heavy and heavy power bass rods weigh between 2 ½ and 3 ounces, so we’re talking a significant percentage of rod weight. Some folks spend considerable money on lightweight (magnesium) reels for the same reason. And yes, it’s a “deal-breaker” to me. Enough so that the inherent risk and labor of reworking the rods was worth the result….both in comfort and weight.

Thanks for the post. My customers are all conscious of weight, so I weigh absolutely everything before it goes into a build. I was completely suprised when I weighed several of the skeleton style seats as compared to an ECS and noticed no real advantage. I recommend the ECS for its comfort, and the fact that there just isn't very much weight savings to be gained, unless you're shooting for that magic 3 oz mark.