On my current build, I mounted the reel after aligning the guides and noticed my grip twists the rod a bit, making the guides look off center. I don’t think it will affect much but I wonder if anyone has aligned guides according to the twist created by the reel and your personal grip? If so what’s your experience?

I align with the reel. I think I would never be able to get the apparent misalignment out of my head. But I doubt very much if it will affect anything significantly. It's all in the head.

I agree.

Spiral wrapped guides lose nothing when the guides are orientated 180 degrees from each other, why would your situation be a problem? I don't know about you, but I orientate my hand in an almost down palm position when casting my baitcasting rods to free up my wrist in the cast, again it doesn't affect nothing, I don't throw to the right of left, the rod doesn't do anything strange while I do it. I guess like stated above, it's not a concern.

Spiral wrapped guides lose nothing when the guides are orientated 180 degrees from each other. I orientate my hand in an almost down palm position when casting my baitcasting rods to free up my wrist in the cast, again it doesn't affect nothing, I don't throw to the right of left, the rod doesn't do anything strange while I do it. I guess like stated above, it's not a concern.

It’s only a big deal if it bothers you. Otherwise, go fish the you know what out of it and be happy.

As a teenager, I joined a group that did "Tournament Casting " at a special concrete platform,
in a pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago, ILL
I was taught to turn the reel handles up, and that was with a conventional wrapped casting rod.
The blank was a 6&1/2' very moderate action, custom Fiberglass blank.
At that time, South Bend made a very small casting reel.
We removed the level wind for less friction, and spooled up with 6# test braid.
The point is that it cast very accurately and up to about 60/70' at floating targets.
To this day I prefer "Moderate" action on all my rods.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

I’m going to build it inline with the seat, I just noticed this while messing around. All my other spinning rods fish fine.