Reel seats are an essential part of your fishing rod and ensure that the reel can be attached securely. Attaching a reel to a rod in such a way that it cannot move is hugely important for several reasons. Jansen Teakle is here to discuss why and explain the different types of reel seats available.
Whether you choose a fixed spool or multiplier reel for your sea fishing, you will need a way of attaching it to your rod. Traditionally fixed spool reels have been held to a rod with a fixed reel seat and multiplier reels with coasters, but I can recall attaching a multiplier reel with Jubilee clips many years ago. They weren’t great and had a tendency to cut in to your finger when making a cast. Thankfully times have changed and there are now a number of great options for both fixed spool and multiplier users.
Fixed Winch Reel Seat
This is the standard seat that appears on the vast majority of shore fishing rods. A tubular construction consisting of a fixed metal collar at one end and an adjustable collar at the other end which can be moved along the tube by rotating it along a thread. Fixed reel seats vary in quality but Fuji branded seats are generally considered the best. These seats are available in sizes of between 22mm and 26mm and are designed to be glued directly to your fishing rod with a two-part Araldite glue. This is actually an easy task and a skill that every angler should learn to do.
This is my personal favourite and a good quality fixed seat will keep your reels secure for as much as a decade or more.
Sliding Winch Reel Seat
A sliding seat gives you the option to decide where to position the reel on the rod to suit your casting preference or to make for an easier retrieve. At a glance, this seat will look the same as the fixed version, but closer inspection will reveal a cut in the seat whereby as it is tightened, the foot of your reel will push the seat down on to the rod holding it firmly in place.
After some trial and error, once you are happy with the positioning of the seat, you then have the option to glue it in place, or add a few wraps of insulation beneath it to keep it in position.
Coasters
Once the go-to for multiplier reel users. Coasters have lost popularity in recent times as both of the above seats are now used in preference. Much like a Jubillee clip at first glance, a plastic knob is tightened down on each coaster to contract it around the rod and the foot of the reel. Coasters should be used with smaller multiplier reels only, as larger reels tend to rock and have the tendency to work themselves loose. Coasters are not suitable for fixed spool reels as they are a little bulky and can hamper your grip around the reel stem when making a cast.
Zip Style Winch
These are now somewhat dated but still have their fans. Unlike all of the above seats, this once can be taped or whipped directly to the butt of your rod. It can be used for fixed spool or multiplier rods, but is better suited to smaller reels. If you’ve been using a rod with a fixed seat in the up position, one of these could be attached to the low position on your rod to give you a feel for what casting down the butt might be like.
