A short time ago I posted looking for some exposed reel seats for spin rods. The walleye anglers like their finger on the blank to detect light bites.

In addition to posting on this board I contacted six distributors/dealers. None had, nor knew of the exposed spin reel seat. I did get several interesting responses on how to fashion the reel seat myself, I printed these and appreciate the feedback. My problem with doing it myself is that I don't think my final product will look very professional.

I am going to try and cut out some wood inserts and cork inserts with the Dremel and put the whole thing together with a skelton reel seat.
I will let you know how it works. Any further input would be appreciated.

Buzz Butters
B & B Custom Flies and Rods
Ripon, WI

Buzz, since your post I have been working on my adaptation. I started with a size 17 Pac Bay skeleton. I plan on mounting it downlocking. I turned an insert and part of the fore grip out of some customwood. Now I need a blank to finish. I figure the hardest part will be to bore the fore grip to fit the blank tight enough to look good. I plan on doing that and then get out the dremel. I think also it will have to be fit to one reel cause your thumb will have a set place. With a little planing I think it will work. Will probably take me a few trys. If someone has a better idea I hope they post.

Buzz, have you considered making a hole in the spinning rod's foregrip rather than the reel seat? It is more comfortable to hold, the thumb is in contact with the blank, and cork is easier to work than wood if you are worried about the looks. Just a thought. I think Clemens had something like that in one of his books.

Got me down in the shop working again. My idea is not going to work unless you have 6" thumbs! Does any one make a reel seat without the raised hoods like Fuji? Might be able to do somthing with their combo trigger/spin seat. I don't have one handy. I have been adding wood sensitivity rings incorapated into the foregrip of my spinning rods for years are your walleye fishermen aware of this option?

Great idea Bob, keep us updated.
Buzz

Bob, Sully, Bill,
Great ideas guys. I am going to have to get down in the shop and do some grinding and dremeling (sp?) and try out your ideas. I like the hole in the foregrip idea also.

My wife and I are planning on this Jan. as being our first National
Guilde conclave. If any of you are going can you please bring along an example of what you have been working on with this exposed reel seat? I do much better with looking at the item. Perhaps a photo that can be posted here would work. Keep me updated on how this
idea progresses.
Buzz