Building on a Fuji blank PB76MF and am going to use a Fuji TVS-TJK17 Reel Seat. My questions is to others that have used the same reel seat; Which way do you prefer to put them (up locking or down locking) and why. What is most comfortable and feels better for casting? Also have you had issues with the insert being too small, the one that is supposed to fit in it or have I got the wrong one. What is the part number for the insert? The only difference that I can perceive is that one way, the locking nut part is thicker than the other end, so if you have it up locking, the back of your hand and palm is slightly elevated off the rod. Down locking; the angle of your wrist is slightly pushed up. Thanks, I value all your opinions and expert advice.

I always build mine down locking, but you can mount it either way, down or up locking. Although I dislike up locking reel seats, because they tend to loosen on me, I actually think the TVS seat feels better when mounted up locking because of its contour. With the back stop lock nut, loosening shouldn’t be an issue.The Fuji insert is the CSTVS17 (decorative insert) or SCSTVS17 (standard insert), you can also use the CFX carbon fiber insert size 17. The Fuji CF inserts requires a shim, the CFX CF insert already has a foam core, and just needs to be reamed to fit the blank. I cut the Fuji insert in half, and it give me two inserts for the price of one. The barrel portion of the reel seat I shim with a polyurethane foam arbor. I have found that when using the hidden thread hood, the threads on the TVS body may need to be trimmed back to a accommodate the sleeve for the hidden thread hood. The threaded portion of the reel seat is extra long and if not cut back the hood with the appropriate mounted sleeve (carbon fiber, or cork) may not tighten all the way. Hope this helps.
Norm

I normally prefer up-locking and build a shim just under the diameter of the stationary hood which is on the front. Very comfortable and gets the hand to the blank easily. Have parts on order to do a new spin on a Point Blank blank with Perfect Fit components, will decide what makes sense when I get the parts. I have only one seat, an old metal one, which loosens with use.

By the way, Anglers Resource shows on their web site that seat mounted uplocking.

Am leaning to down locking due to the different level from the nut to the grip. Others that are more even from one end to the other I would do it up locking but this particular seat has a strange feel to me up locking.

If you are leaning toward doing it down locking then you don’t need the locking nut. In my opinion, down locking reel seats don’t loosen during use but up locking seats do. Use the TVSK/ASH hidden thread hood. Could also use the KSKSS hood, or even the KDPS hood. They all fit and don’t use or need a locking nut. You will need to trim the threads back on the seat body. Just screw the hidden thread hood all the way down and cut off any threaded barrel that protrudes.
Norm