I'm building a surf rod for my daughter for her graduation present and I need to get this right the first time, not much time to send things back if they don't fit. The rod I'm getting for her the this [www.anglersworkshop.com] the 11ft medium 2-4oz, with a .63 butt. What is the method to determine the reel seat size and grip size? Also, a .63 butt size for a 11 Blank seems very narrow for an eglass Rod. My surf rods are 1-1.25 at the butt. I will be placing the reel about 23" up from the bottom.

I can get this either at: [www.anglersworkshop.com]

or

[www.mudhole.com]

The reel seat I'd like to get her, not sure if this size will work though....

[www.anglersworkshop.com]

My guess was the one with the i.d. of .540, the .670 is about the same as the butt size.

I normally size the seat to fit my hand and shim as necessary to mount it to the blank.

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I built on one of those blanks a few years back and as far as I can remember the butt specs were accurate. I'd go with the size 18 or 20 seat, which ever you think will be more comfortable. They will both fit for sure, the 16 might be to small. Larger surf reels tend to have a larger foot that might not fit into the smaller seat also. Grip size and shape are generally just personal preference.

Almost all the Surfrods I build are wrapped with Cork Tape and Covered with Shrink wrap, You can get 1/16" and 1/8" Cork tape and add a Shrink wrap Covering. Cork tape can be Double wrapped if you need more thickness (going in Alternate Directions when wrapping. You can wrap it that way for the butt section and add a Cork or EVA fore grip, or NO foregrip at all just close off the Reel seat foward end with a hosal or Alum dec. Ring

As Brian suggested definitely go with at least an 18 or 20 reel seat if you expect average to large surf reels to fit comfortably , i went with a 17 mm on an inshore rod and it's a tough task getting it to fit an average size reel in the 5000 - 6000 range . As far as the butt , i strictly do paracord with shrink on top of it , i used to like cork tape but prefer the better sensitivity that i'm getting now without it.

Unless they have changed things, your surf blank is graphite, so the diameter isn't out of the ordinary.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I ordered most everything from Angler Workshop and it came today. My fourth rod will be underway soon. Went with a 20mm reel seat, should be fine.