Changing Out Reel Seat

[bass1980]

Sorry for the noob question but I was wondering if it's even possible to take an existing rod and have a rod builder change out the reel seat? I have no experience in custom rods at all and looking to go that route one day but right now I have a bunch of 13 Envys and would like to keep them except I'm starting to not like the reel seat on these. Wondering if it's possible and if it was if it's worth it with the extra cost that's involve.

 

Thoughts?

[S Hovanec]

I'd you just want a standard trigger seat, it can be done from the back of the rod, though not optimal. If you want an exposed seat, then the entire rod needs stripped and the seat installed from the front. Better off starting with a clean slate and building it the way you want. It'll be cheaper to build new than strip and rebuild.

[bass1980]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......I have 7 Envys. I love the blanks on these and the looks. I don't mind the reel seat as much on their lighter rods using lighter lures but the heavier rods and heavier lures starts to hurt my hand after a day of tournament fishing. Going to be a PITA selling this much rods.

[S Hovanec]

Don't know what kind is on those rods, but I am assuming its a split seat? Can't stand them. The PacBay Minimas or the Fuji SK2, for the very reason you state. They are the most uncomfortable thing I've ever had in my hand.

[bass1980]

I think their reel seats are their own designs.

[F14A-B]

I have one ***... The handle is the exact reason I wouldn't pay double for a ***.. Like you said... Very nice blank, very nice recoils... But not a great handle at all for all day use. Mine backs up my loomis rods.. Best of luck on deciding.

[bass1980]

Man for the longest time I defended their reel seat. I mean I used to have some veritas 1.0 and the pac bay minima reel seat along with the thick handle made it hard for me to get a good grip on hard hook sets because I have small hands. I switched to Omens and fell in love with the reel seat along with the skinny handle. Upgraded to Envys and still liked the reel seat until I started getting more rods and when I got started to get bigger rods using heavier lures it started to bother me. I tried to not think about it for a while but now I just have to admit it that I don't like it as much as those simple Fuji ACS or ECS reel seats. I've mounted a reel on Shimano's new Poison Adrena and Exprides reel seat and I really like them but I doubt they will sell just the reel seats. What a shame as these *** blanks are such a performer given the price point. I've tried GLX for a day and felt the blanks perform very similar.