1. Is the exposed blank reel seat better for detecting light bites or is there not much difference? Which do you guys prefer?

 

2. What is a decent casting guide set that will handle braid?

 

I am thinking of buying the Bradley Roy turnkey kit from Mudhole. Does anyone have this rod? Is it worth it?

Imo it's more about a comfortable grip than blank contact in that particular spot. I like the slimmess of the exposed blank seats. My go to bang for the buck guides are Fuji SS Alconite K series. 

X100 Fuji alconite.....

Another vote for the Alconite guides.  As for reel seats, the most uncomfortable ones I've had in my hand are PacBay Minimas and Fuji SK2 with Fuji ACS being a close runner-up.  I prefer Fuji ECS seats.

The ACS seems to be a love it or hate it proposition. 

How about some feedback on the TVS or the PTS with carbon insert?

18 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The ACS seems to be a love it or hate it proposition. 

Agreed those are my favorite to use.

 

 

The TVS spinning seats I like a lot. I've been wanting to build and make a cool insert vs using the carbon one.

For casting I like the Fuji RV as the first guide, then about 3 KB's, then KT's to the end.  The RV will be a size 6, after that use what you like, smaller the better for sensitivity.  I think for casting the 5.5 is a sweet spot, small and light yet able to take a double uni with most line weights.  All the runnng guides, whether KB or KT can (should) be the same size.  There is nothing to gain by using multiple sizes.

6 hours ago, basscatcher8 said:

 

 

The TVS spinning seats I like a lot. I've been wanting to build and make a cool insert vs using the carbon one.

 

I'm going to use one of those with an acrylic insert on my Rodgeeks tube rod and a PTS with acrylic insert on my Inshore St. Croix.

15 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

 

I'm going to use one of those with an acrylic insert on my Rodgeeks tube rod and a PTS with acrylic insert on my Inshore St. Croix.

I've been wanting to make a cool insert out of wood. Something with a cool looking grain

1 hour ago, basscatcher8 said:

I've been wanting to make a cool insert out of wood. Something with a cool looking grain

Reelseatblanks.com has some nice stabilized blanks.  They're always updating the site with new inventory.  Cool thing about them is every block is pictured, so you actually get the piece you see on the screen.

I just built an NFC IM-807 with the Essex Premium Seat with a Carbon grip from Mudhole.  Wow that seat is amazingly comfortable.  ( I like ACS, Minimas and SK's too).

 

25 minutes ago, webertime said:

I just built an NFC IM-807 with the Essex Premium Seat with a Carbon grip from Mudhole.  Wow that seat is amazingly comfortable.  ( I like ACS, Minimas and SK's too).

 

I like the look of those carbon grips! My question on the exposed blank reel seats is this: Do I have to get the prcise inside diameter of the reel seat to match the diameter of the blank? I like the idea of the exposed blank but not sure what the best procedure is.