Hey all, I would like to know which skeleton reel seat I should go with on my custom. My rod builder can order from Mudhole or Merrick. So far this looks like the one from Pacific Bay, http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Graphite_2/MINIMA-Ultra-Lite-Exposed-Blank-Casting-Reel-Seat

Have any of you guys used this one before? Anything you guys got would be helpful.

Thanks

I haven't used that particular seat, we used to start with Fuji ECSM's and cut them into Tharp style seats ourselves. I've since decided I like a full seat better for comfort.

I'm sure that seat is fine. I've seen a lot of good feedback on this one, though: http://www.swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=34

and if you like it better either of you can order from swampland. (it's worth worrying about wholesale pricing on a $5 item.)

***My only suggestion for you is NOT to use the aluminum checks shown in the photo on the mudhole page. (unless you size them up a little) The chief complaint of Tharp style (skeletons) seats was that the rods broke at the front foot of the seat. The design allowed the blank to flex in between the seat area which created a pinch point under heavy load. (in a full length seat the grip and barrel ends of the seat are not in contact with the blank, there is a cork tennon and an arbor to keep from pinching the blank) A pinch point on a metal check is doom for a blank. So using a "softer" material allows a touch of give and will help to prevent a break in that spot.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the info. I did not like the way that metal winding check looked. I will probably talk to my builder to find out what he recommends.