I am building a 5 wt rod from a Rainshadow Eternity blank. I mainly using it for trout. My question is what tip should I get? Standard or Large Loop? Also, I will be putting a carbon grip with a cutout of 0.865", but my Rec ABS reel seat is 0.65 (OD). Can I have to wrap some masking tapes on the reel seat to fit the cutout?

A standard tip should be fine unless you are trying to pass some kind of large knot. You can use tape to make it fit but you will have a gap that the rim hood on the reel seat won't cover so it will not look all that great. I would just get another grip or reel seat that will fit. the grips are probably less expensive than the REC reel seat. There are some others here that may have a better solution to keep what you have and make it work.

Hi Lance,

Thanks for the response. I probably have to find a grip that without the cutout.

Standard Loop.

The REC Seat, ABS, the .65" diameter is the diameter of the insert and barrel portion of the seat. The recessed hood part of the seat will have a larger diameter (the part that will be hidden inside of the grip), but I doubt it is .865". Memory seems to be around .760 or a bit larger. I would not use masking tape to make up the difference. Get another grip with the proper size recess or by a grip with no recess and make the cut out yourself.

I just had the same issue. I bought another reel seat. I didn't want to damage the CF grip trying to fit it. Mine was too big. I'm a new builder but have found I'm much happier with the outcome when I buy the right components. I used a standard loop on my recent 5 WT.

BLAG 5 or 6 make great tips..line lasts and lasts..

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help. I will get a grip without the cutout.

The REC ABS seat requires .810 porting
Herb
CTS