How do you go about deciding on uplocking or downlocking? I usually choose uplocking because my first or second finger tends to make the locking nut loose when fishing. Just wondering what makes everyone else choose uplocking or downlocking.

Thanks,
Steve

I have gone to uplocking on all of my rods. Since most of the fly fishing that I do or plan to do is in saltwater, I leave about an inch of blank sticking out back of the seat; that is just enough to put a cork ring and a small mushroom type of but cap on the end. That is just in case I catch a large fish and I have to butt the rod up to my belly which I have yet to do. I make my own handles and cover the tip end of the seat with a cork ring on the front end. I was looking at a store bought 5 wt. that I have and it is also came with an uplocking real seat. That is just my preference. I have several fly rods to build and today I had planned to work on making the handles outdoors (momma won't let me do any lathe or drilling indoors) but it has been raining. I guess I will do some fly tying instead to keep my sanity. When it rains hard here in Houston it is best to stay at home or get caught somewhere by high water. Been there and done that Thursday.
Cheers, Ellis

Many people decide based on how it will affect the balance of their rod to have the reel sitting an inch further back or forward. However, you can do the same thing just by switching to a slightly heavier or lighter reel and not worry as much about reel position. Obviously, either or both will affect balance.

Most heavier weight rods use uplocking seats. Most lighter and shorter rods use downlocking. Ironically, this is exactly the opposite of what you might expect if you were trying to use reel position for rod balance.

..........

Steve,
Are you referring to fly rods or spin rods?

Jeff

Steve
This is rule of thumb "personal" but I will always build lockup on spin and lockdown on everything else unless there is reason to do otherwise such as mentioned above or customer preference. My theory being your hand should not have to grip reel seat threads when fishing the rod, especially metal seats in the winter. Disclaimer for fly rods, I do not enter that world. MHO again, Ron

Jeff...I was referring to spining rods.

Some folks here have given some very interesting ideas. I know I sometimes ask some very basic or dull questions but some of the responses really open my eyes to things that I tend to overlook. It also helps me build a better rod for a customer because I now know what to ask that cutomer.

Thanks for the ideas and responses,
Steve

Jeff...I was referring to spining rods.

Some folks here have given some very interesting ideas. I know I sometimes ask some very basic or dull questions but some of the responses really open my eyes to things that I tend to overlook. It also helps me build a better rod for a customer because I now know what to ask that cutomer.

Thanks for the ideas and responses,
Steve