I realize the main reason for different sized ID of spinning type reel seats is to accomodate various sizes of butts but are the OD of these reel seats the same and only the ID changes (and wall thickness) or does the OD get larger as well?

The clearance on my only spinning rod between the foregrip and the bail trigger on my reel is a bit snug. On the rod I'm planning to build, I was thinking about using a larger 17mm or even 18mm ID reel seat to increase the distance of the reel from the blank if the seat OD increases as well. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Tim,

OD also gets larger

Pavel,
Moscow, RU

The main reason we have different sized reel seats is to accomodate different sized hands. True, you must go up in size as rod butts get larger, but the reel should fit the hand first. If the butt is very large, you may have to go larger than what the hand likes, but this is a case of necessity. In all other cases, you're better off using the seat that fits the hand and shimming the seat to fit the blank.

..........

Hi Tim,
I got your email and have sent a reply. Part of which touched on a
solution to the "bail to close to foregrip" problem.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..