Ok, I've been building fly rods for the most part and now a friend has brought me a 71/2 ft and an 8ft 1 piece spin rods to build for him. He has all the components (great). Cork tape grip (no problem). Problem is where do you locate the reel seats on the rods? Any certain distance from butt end. I have read Mr. Kirkmans book "Rod Building Guide" and understand to test cast the rods before deciding on placement. But before doing this anyone have any starting locations. Great book Tom! If you are starting out, get it period.
They will be used for plugging. Since my buddie is the infamous Popper Ed !

On a spin rod the handle or in this case the cork tape goes on the very end of the blank, or butt.
If the owner does not know how long of a handle he wants, tape on a seat about 8-10" from the butt and have him cast it to see if he likes it ?

Bill - willierods.com

Bill is right on.

Dave,
Depending on rod length, the back butt of the spinning rod can be anywhere from about 1 inch - for a mooching style rod to about 2 1/2 feet for a very very long spay rod.

A typical 5-7 foot rod will have a back grip of 6-10 inches.
In particular, most 6/ 1/2 foor rods will have a back grip of 7-8 inches, a 7 foot rod will have about an 8-9 inch grip and an 8 foot rod will have about a 9-11 inch back grip.
Then the reel seat, and then the fore grip if any.

With some of todays new split grip rods, you simply have a weighted butt cap to compensate for rod length - a bare section, or cork or thread wrapped section, a very short 2-4 inches of back grip - long enough to rest the back of your hand and then the reel seat.
With some of todays rods, that is it. i.e. no fore grip in front of the reel seat. Possibly an epoxy ramp, or finishing ring in front of the reel seat.

Good luck and enjoy.

Roger

p.s.
If in doubt - just go into a rod store and take a look at a large array of spinning rods in various lengths and actions - place them in your hand to check the balance - with no reels on the rods. This gives you a very good idea of the typical rod - and its general setup.

Have the fisherman bring you whatever rod or rods that he's currently using for this same use/technique. Ask him how he feels about the current handle length and if he'd like it a little shorter, or a little longer. This establishes a baseline from which you can move shorter or longer and be better assured of hitting the length that will best suit your customer.

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

Ok, Great thank you everyone for your input. I owe you guys!

Since you mentioned cork tape I am assuming this is a saltwater rod. Most likely used for trout fishing. Nearly every trout rod I have built are between 7-8.5'. All of these have had the reel seat between 16 and 22 " depending on the user. I am 6' tall with a 76" wing span so my arms are a bit longer then most. so my seats tend to be a bit further out then typical. I would bet that an 18" seat position would be a great starting point but have him try it out before you glue it up.