Years ago, I was working a lot in AK, and fished a Penn 650 SS with a Fenwick 8" salmon rod.

Now I need a  rod for my  650 SS, as my ST Croix Triumph 8'6" heavy does not have a large enough reel seat for the 650

Can you guys recommend a 7 -8 foot spinning rod,  heavy action, (for pike) that will accomodte a 650? I am in the $100  price range.

75 mm is usually the largest L3 on single reel seats.  You may need a split reel seat.  

How about a measurement on your foot length for us?  

 

This isn't a recommendation, but my modified Abu CT's with barstock frames have 78 mm feet and needed a split seat on custom rod.  

 

Spinning surf rods usually come with split seats, big L3 gap, and they make them in varied lengths (down to 7') and line/lure tapers.  My RH Custom just above is 8' 1-pc, 1/4 to 1 oz lures. 

 

From a Tackle Direct search with your limits - in stock

Tsunami Sapphire SASSXT 802MH 7' MM 10-20-lb 1/2-3 oz

Tica TC2 UEHA421301S 7' MF 6-17-lb 1/2-2 oz

Star Stellar 0151 8' 12-20 MH 3/4-2oz

Ugly Stik Bigwater USBWSF1025S802 8' MM 10-25 lb 3/4-3 oz

 

I'll pm you the search link and you may see more

 

Bulldog, the reel foot length is 2 15/16". My Triumph salmon rod reel seat is about 2 1/2". I am not sure why they reduced the length from my old Fenwick, I am guessing modern reels are somewhat smaller in dimensions. On the Triumph the seat hoods are too small to accept the reel feet as well.

I guess a split seat would work. Do you just buy the components separately, and just put a large diameter arbor between them? If that is the case, I can just make another rod to fit, I have a 7' med hvy glass blank that might work. Or buy a alum reel seat and install it on that blank. I do not know what an "L 3 gap" means?

Dee, 

Split seats always need a spacer.  Rich used that graphite spacer on my rod.  

You shouldn't need a split seat with that foot length - should be able to find a spinning reel seat with a 75 mm L3.  

I've googled up a Fuji components catalog online before.  

If you want to take it on rebuilding your rod, you can identify the seat you want to use and order it from Mudhole or another rod-building supplier.  

I have done some business with Mud Hole, and built about a half dozen rods, but honestly for me, ordering  components for rods is a crap-shoot. Sometimes my best guess is right. Sometimes it is not.

I will check their website, and give it a two pronged approach--build one rod, and buy another.

I see my error. I was confusing "split seat" with a split grip.

It is starting to make sense!

Thank you!