Many years ago, I learned the basics of the rod building craft from an old gentleman in Connecticut. All his builds were on Lami or Fenwick honey glass blanks. They have certainly stood the test of time: I am still using rods be built for me in 1972.
The boat rods he built for me used chrome over brass reel seats, and they were installed with the locking nuts against the rear grip. Recently, I was speaking with a commercial builder here in Florida who said the nuts should be against the fore grip (downlocking), because it helps counter the torque a big fish puts on the rod/reel connection.
I have looked through the archives and haven't found any discussion on the subject. Thoughts anyone?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2009 08:17AM by Gary Henderson.

It doesn't matter. Torque is rotational force. To counter that you'd have to employ a spiral wrap.

Generally if you're running a forward clamp you'd have the nuts to the front so the clamp can ride on the threaded section just forward. Otherwise you have to install a tuna block between the seat and foregrip.

The stability of the reel in the seat isn't going to be changed by putting the nuts on one end or the other.

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

Definitely a "chicken and egg" type of question. IMO, to each their own ... whatever looks/works best for you, that's the right answer.

Spinning rods I place the threaded tube up for a more comfortable grip (no threads)

I prefer an uplocking spinning reel seat. It lets me get away with a shorter rear grip.

Gary,
About the only thing that I might add is about the construction of the reel seat. If you have a reel seat that uses a nylon or plastic molded slot on one end or the other to hold down your reel, and the other end has a metal ring with the nut, then - on a very heavy reel, it might be a better idea to have the nut at the top - rather than the bottom of the guide.

Of course, you can get into a question as to whether - when you get a big fish on the end of your rod - do you have more force on the front reel hold down or the back reel hold down.

On the front hold down, you have a force pushing straight up the rod. On the back reel seat attachment, you have a force that is essentially at 90 degrees to the rod; attempting to rotate the reel up and off the rod.

One could do some testing, to see if the parallel or the outward force is greater - or if there is any difference at all.

At the end of the day - with any of the modern reel seats - it shouldn't make any difference, because any of the seats will be strong enough to hold the reel in place. It is mainly up to you as the builder and or the client with respect to his wishes.


Good luck
Roger

On any seat when you hold it cast or spin, the fat part or chopping part of your hand usually rests on the threads - up-locking. not very comfortable. Depending on how you hold and use the rod.

Bill - willierods.com