Conoflex Phantom

[AlanT]

Currently refurbishing my Conoflex with a new butt. It's fitted with an ABU moveable reel seat and I don't know whether to replace this with a fixed seat or not. Any thoughts on these ABU seats? I have had the blank from new and usually prefer low reel.

 

[wingnut55]

I use Abu Grip-Loks on a lot of my rods, i like them myself, others say they are too bulky for their hands. I personally hate fixed reel seats, no need for them, you can have your reel anywhere on the butt without having to glue the bloody thing on, but that is just me. And i fish reel down on all my rods.

Ian.

 

[Angrybear]

Exactly what wingnut says above, they're also the only sliding reel seat large enough for the dia of older rod butt's.
I've got both ABU, Penn & Century sliding seats on various rods, but when needing to replace the seats on my Moonrakers the ABU were the only one's I could find to fit.

 

[Mr Fish]

I do find the grip loks I have on four different (second hand) rods tend to stick and jam.
Have spent many a happy hour trying to bash the things open with my knife handle or a stone

They still work though but are an ongoing source of inconvenience.
That said, they came to me second hand and have performed that way from the start, plus I don’t clean and lube the threads after every trip, or pretty much at all, so I accept the issues may also be self inflicted!

 

[concrete]

I do find the grip loks I have on four different (second hand) rods tend to stick and jam.
Have spent many a happy hour trying to bash the things open with my knife handle or a stone

They still work though but are an ongoing source of inconvenience.
That said, they came to me second hand and have performed that way from the start, plus I don’t clean and lube the threads after every trip, or pretty much at all, so I accept the issues may also be self inflicted!

The perfect reel seat, as I can get two fingers around the trigger meaning I can really clamp my thumb down on the spoil. As you said, they’re prone to jamming as they get older, but I can overlook that. Just have to be careful.

 

[Mr Fish]

The perfect reel seat, as I can get two fingers around the trigger meaning I can really clamp my thumb down on the spoil. As you said, they’re prone to jamming as they get older, but I can overlook that. Just have to be careful.

I’ve tried careful, blunt force, voodoo, all sorts lol.

But mine were older when I got them so I’ve never had a new one to compare them with.

I suppose it’s not really even that big a deal, but is frustrating when it’s cold or wet and you just want to go home but can’t get the damn thing off the reel.

 

[Beach]

I’ve tried careful, blunt force, voodoo, all sorts lol.

But mine were older when I got them so I’ve never had a new one to compare them with.

I suppose it’s not really even that big a deal, but is frustrating when it’s cold or wet and you just want to go home but can’t get the damn thing off the reel.

If in doubt just leave it in the rod and put in your car. Other than that a hacksaw will sort it - simples

 

[Mr Fish]

If in doubt just leave it in the rod and put in your car. Other than that a hacksaw will sort it - simples

Well I like to remove the reels as it makes strapping together and carrying the rods much easier but yes, they have been left on before if I run out of patience!

 

[Topwater]

I have found them prone to jam and the hood to break apart from the screw/nut but I also haven't found anything better! If you can swap the hood for a Fuji/Tekxx one it's a definite improvement.
Edit - the Phantom is a great rod. I have the 45XLs

 

[AlanT]

I have found them prone to jam and the hood to break apart from the screw/nut but I also haven't found anything better! If you can swap the hood for a Fuji/Tekxx one it's a definite improvement.
Edit - the Phantom is a great rod. I have the 45XLs

It is a 45XL even if the transfer doesn't say so. 12' 9" long and a very good rod indeed. I will stick with the ABU seat methinks.