Just a curious question............I have noticed most spinning rods these days have reel seats installed in an uplocking position, whereas years ago those reel seats were installed in a downlocking position. Is there really any correct method of installation or is it just personal choice these days?

David Parker
Certified Professional Rod Builder
www.fliesrodreelservice.com

I think it's just a personal choice. I like it downlocking. I tend to work a uplocking seat loose some how with my wrist after a dozen or so casts.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2011 12:37PM by Garrett Adams.

If a have a foregrip i like uplocking, no foregrip, downlocking with the threads trimmed as short as will allow my reel and the next size up one to be fitted.

Down locking with trimmed threads my preference also. I still have plenty of room for two fingers in front of the reel foot and no foregrip. You can wrap a little tape over the area to keep the reel tight. I think if you check the threads tighten clockwise (from front) so a rod/reel held in the right hand tends to unscrew the sleeve. An uplock would tend to tighten the sleeve in use would it not? I leave a 1/2 inch or so of threads for the tape to grip but probably not necessary.

I'm with Bill I don't like my hand on the threads

Bill - willierods.com

I set up my spin rods to fit a specific reel. Often cut down the reel seat so it is very specific to that reel. And I make it uplocking... so the feel created at the inception of that rod is consistent for the finger positioning the owner decides on ahead of time.

I use the downlocking method because I too loosen the reel seat nut with the palm of my hand. I'm not a fan of holding onto the threads either.

Thanks for the feedback Gentlemen. Very interesting results. I too build all my rods downlocking for the same reasons as you fellows noted and at times will also cut down a reel seat to suit certain customer requirements on a particular rod and reel setup. When I first started seeing most factory rods show up with the uplocking reel seat arrangements, I wondered how often reels would work loose while fishing the rod as well as the uncomfortable situation of holding onto threads over the course of as day. Here again it's personal choice and that is just one thing that makes our craft so interesting.

David Parker
Certified Professional Rod Builder
www.fliesrodreelservice.com

I always build up locking and have never had a reel loosen, nor has my son, who has the rest of my builds. Not great numbers, but significant. I like both the look and feel of uplocking, and for jigging, the it's easy to get onto the ramp without touching threads.

I like up-locking. I like the look and the way I hold a spinning reel, my palm doesn't touch the threads

Cheng Moua Wrote:
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> I like up-locking. I like the look and the way I
> hold a spinning reel, my palm doesn't touch the
> threads

Ditto.

jeremy

I`m also an ~~Uplocker~~(?)

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Uplocking for my personal builds.