Ok guy's ,
Another question! Is there a preferred distance to mount the reel seat? I have had request to mount the seats further away from the end so they can rest the butt on their fore arms. I don't see a problem but I am only a novice and don't have the experience to determine what a proven method is or balance of the rod, etc.. I know this all revolves around custom but I think what I want to know is, is there a distance that is too far forward for different length rods? Example, 6'6" med light spinning rod. the seat is Pac Bay 4" and mounted 9 inches from the end of the blank. That is what was requested. Am I OK?
T.I.A.
Mark Schulte

The key is "that is what's requested". You don't have to make anybody happy but the customer. Different people like different butt-lengths for different styles of fishing. There are no hard and fast rules in custom rodbuilding except to give the customer what he wants. IMHO Lynn

The 9 inch mount for the reel seat should be no problem whatsoever. You will lose a little bit of the effective blank (read leverage) in casting if the hand is kept at the real during casting, but otherwise, not a problem. Agree with above, it is the customers rod, so build it to their liking. If it were something that would drastically effect performance, I would attempt to steer away the customer from doing that by explaining why, but it your case, that is not an issue.

It is perfectly fine to mount it that far up. Depending on what style of fishing your customer is doing it may actually help the performance.

I don't think that I have built a rod for myself with a rear grip less than that, even including casting rods.

You can put the reel seat any place you like. all you have to know is how long you want the the butt grip
Good luck Bob