How do you determine reel size to use? Is there a forumla? For example, what size reel seat should I use on an inshore spinning rod, 7 ft., 8-15 lb. line wt., fast action?

How it feels in your hand Spinning I try to go about 17 - 18 only because if other then an UL rod they feel better

if for a customer ask If he has a rod he now uses and finds it does not fit his hand make it larger or you can have him go to say Home Depot - bring his reel - grab some dowels with the reel and see what feels better in his hand

That 7 ft a 17 - 18 should feel good Reel should fit no problem

Bill - willierods.com

From an ergonomics standpoint, most reel seats used on rods, both commercial and custom, are far too small. It varies with the size of the hand, but in most cases, a size 20 or even 22 will result in less hand fatigue and easier control than smaller seats. We tend to get used to what we think something is supposed to look like and therefore overlook things that might actually result in better functionality.

I'll also leave you with this - on a set of golf clubs, the size of the grip is the same regardless of the particular club. Why should the reel seat on an ultra-light rod be smaller than one on a heavy bass or inshore rod?

Now having said all this, I will advise you that most folks building such a rod will indeed use a size 17 or 18.

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Tom K's advice is spot on.

If you doubt it, though, try this experiment: try making fishing movements (casting, retrieving, removing a hook from your wife's mouth, etc.) with the empty tube from a roll of paper towels. Then try the same thing with something thinner, say a pencil or a candy cane.

If, after trying this experiment for longer than 30 seconds, you don't come to the conclusion that A) thinner-diamter things are MUCH more tiring to your hands, and B) that, for the next rod you build, you might want to look at a bigger reel seat to reduce fatigue, then I'll eat my spare tire, rim and all.

All you have to do is start tinkering with this stuff once to realize why hand tools like hammers have the size grips that they do. Anything the size of a 17 reel seat is way too small for an adult male (or female).

I almost always use a 17 or 18, even on UL rods. They just feel better in my hands.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH