I decided to build a spiral wrap baitcaster for myself which I don't build often. After I glued everything up, it seems I put the reel seat a bit too high in relation to most standard rods I have compared it too. The bottom of the seat lies at about 10 1/2 inches from the butt of the blank. The blank is a SCIV med light action. I'm concerned of the rod either being uncomfortable to fish with or the high seat may inhibit the performance of the rod.

Does this really make any difference where the seat is? Should I continue with the build, is it worth it? Has anyone put a real seat high like this for a particular application. I had planned this rod for tightlining for trout or small spinners.

Where you locate the seat has a great deal to do with the performance and comfort of the rod. Whether you mounted it too far back or too far forward is something only you can decide. Might as well fish it a bit and see how you like it.

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Take it out and play as your fishing it. See if the handle is going to hit you belly or get caught in you clothes

If so it will have to be moved back - Your rod

Bill - willierods.com

Kevin,
The fix is easy if you don't like it.
Chop off the butt of the rod to the length that you want and put a butt cap back on the butt of the rod.

10 1/2 inches is quite a bit, unless you have a pretty long rod.
If you have an 8 or 9 foot rod, a 10 1/2 inch back handle is just fine.
For something shorter than that, you might find it a bit long.

Take care
Roger

Kevin - how long is the entire rod?

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Chopping the extra length is not the correct answer. He probably bought that certain length rod for a reason and chopping off the butt end will only make his problem worse. Just complete it as is and if it doesn't perform to your expectations try to sell it or hang it up in the closet and build yourself another one with the correct measurements.

Kevin you seem to live in or around my area. If you have any questions please call or come over to the shop with your rod. I may be able to help you out with a solution.

Lance

The rod is a 6 6" med light rod. I must have missed measured on the blank when I made my marks for the seat placement. The problem is that I have already done my thread work and finish on the split grip area, so moving or redoing is not an option. I'm just curious if its worth finishing. Four hours of butt wrap and another hour of guide work is a lot for a rod that may not perform correctly.

Lance, I would love to come by your shop some day to show some of my work and pick your brain a bit.

Just finish it, go fish it, and see what you think. At this point, there's nothing to lose in spending a little extra time in finishing it, then fishing it. Might be too long, but I think you'll find it's ok, perhaps even good.

If it turns out to be a dog, then you can go to the trouble of stripping it back down, then re-doing it. But, might as well just test it out like it is. . . .

Kevin,
Essentially you have a rod that is a net - 4 inches shorter - fishing wise, than perhaps the optimum length.
You have a back grip that is 3-4 inches longer than optimum and may tend to catch in your elbow or stomach when casting due to the length.
With the extra back length you will end up with a rod that is perfectly balanced and will fish well.

If the slightly shorter fishing length doesn't bother you due to the 2 or 3 feet less casting distance, and if the butt of the rod doesn't hang up when fishing you will be fine.

There are lots of rods that have a 12-20 inch back grip and are in use every day. If you do happen to get a big fish on, the added length in the handle area will make it easier to land the fish.

The slightly shorter fishing length, will in all likely hood actually make the rod a touch more sensitive.

So, with the time and effort in the rod, it certainly makes sense to finsih it.

Good fishing.
Roger

I don't see a problem.

Like Bill said, as long as the end does not catch on your clothing in use, you should be good to go.