Going to start building myself a couple of ultra light rods and was looking to get a few recomendations from some of guys.
I have a couple of UL blanks that are 5' long that is probably the lengh I will leave them and I will also make my own cork handles as usual but my question is this, these will be spinning rods and I was wondering about what size and style reel seat I should use? I have never built this small of a rod before and the normal size reel seats I have does not look right on such a small diamater blank.
Any info is much appreciated
Thanks, Rob

IMO, there are only two answers ... Fuji DNPSM16/ DNPSD16 or Tennessee style handle.

For the Fuji reel seats ... you can turn the cork down to meet the edge of the seat AND it doesn't cramp your hand nearly as badly as regular seats that are smaller than #18, due to the ergonomic design. I also recommend cutting off unneeded threads AND mounting it in uplocking.

The seat should fit your hand, regardless of the size blank you're working on. The same seat you like on a heavier rod may also be the same seat you'll like on the smaller rod - unless your hand suddenly gets smaller when using the small rod. The only reason some things may not look right are due to your being used to seeing something for so many years, even though what you were seeing wasn't ergonomically correct.

Notice that on a set of golf clubs the grips are all the same size, regardless of whether you're using the driver or the 9-iron. There is a reason for that.

Also consider going with a longer UL rod, or extending what you have now. If you're after more fight and feel from small fish, a longer rod is the way to go.

There was an in-depth article on building Ultra Light rods last year in RodMaker.

.................

Beside the Fuji, you might want to look at the American Tackle Aero Comfort seet. My favorite seat on light/UL rods. It's listed on Mudhole as a casting seat but I have never seen it used as anything but a spinning seat.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Thanks for the reply's, I understand what your saying Tom and I think you are correct, I think the DPSD style seats just "look" too big. I am getting ready to order some more supplies and I think I will get the seat Jim recomended and see how that looks and feels.
Thnaks again.

i too, like mike barkley, love the aero comfort grips... have a couple personal walleye rods with em, and just got done with a U/L (albeit much longer than we are talking about here) with one that is really, really comfortable.

I second what Toms says on handle size...

I have built a couple of small fly rods utilising the small Pac Bay channel lock seat (CL7RC-C).

I would bet the small spinning version of these reel seats would work well and look good on an ultralight spinning rod.

Mark in Perth

Iam an UL addict. 2-5ft and three 7' rainshadow. On all UL I make I use a 6" BG with an NPS reel seat and no fore grip. They all work great and can cast a country mile. Thats JMHO

Vern