Hello
Kinda late to the topic but I'll give my opinions just the same,Balance is key to optimal performance,where the rod balances can be a personal preference,Where I like my rods to balance can differ from yours.
From my experiences Component weight plays a big factor and often makes the difference between a capable rod and an amazing rod in terms of performance.
Up lock reel seats have no place on any fiberglass rods in my opinion and should be a punishable offense
Just kidding well sorta.
Cork has been the choice for grips and reel seats or inserts as long as I can remember, the reason cork caught on was because it was so durable,dependable,it's versatility,it's ease of turning and shaping etc.Basically because it's the best material for the application
Someones always trying different grip and reel seat materials,that's what keeps it interesting for some of us.
We often see grips & inserts for example made with rattain,stacked birch bark,leather,pine cones,wood,bound coffee stirrers,bamboo,foam,rubber,molded plastic,woven vinyl,rope,twine,all sorts of stuff.
Then they put very heavy coats of finish over the materials to protect them,so in the end the bundled coffee stirrers are really an epoxy grip or reel seat insert.
When you hold the rod in your hand all you feel is an un natural man made material.
It looks really nice,in the beginning that is,as long as the rod hangs around the lodge only being brought out for show and tell everything's fine.
We only see this stuff when it's new seldom if ever after it's been fished 100 days a year for 3 years.
As these guys have mentioned.
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The resilience of cork, along with its natural self-protection, makes it an ideal insert material. Once you realize how well cork insert seats work, they may look better to you.
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On a short, light line rod like that i'd go with dual sliding bands, or a cap and sliding band over cork. my two cents
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I know there's been a lot of discussion about it both pro and con, but I was taught long ago that you balance a fly rod with the reel mounted and 30' of line hanging from the tip top. Works for me.
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bottom line is it's your rod, so to each his own, but as Whirly says, no need to fear cork insert's functional properties.
Dock Happening
I'll keep this short,few years back I'm delivering a rod to a guy ,custom job that he insisted have a grip and reel seat of his choice,against all my advice and going against everything I practice when determining the correct reel seat. The big day comes and he's out on our dock casting the rod.
The guy can't get more than 20' of line out,it's dead calm,no wind not even a breeze.he switches reels,same same.The rod just wouldn't form a decent loop, a total dud.
He looked like he just lost his fortune in a poncy scheme,the look on his face was RMM Magazine Cover Material .
Reached into my pocket and pulled out my pen knife and a roll of electrical tape,proceed to whittle off the wooden butt cap I made for the rod,carved away some cork and taped his reel on the back end of the rod as far back as I could.
Handed him the rod.his first cast he threw 40' of line almost by mistake.
So the next time someone tells you weight & balance has no effect on a rods performance remember my story.
As you've been told nobody really cares how you build or fish the rods you make,you asked for help everyone has given you advice, some advice is better than others,however none of us has to live with your creation.
Build the rod however you please I hope your happy in the end and the rod brings you a lifetime of enjoyment !
Tight Lines And Component Choices Matter Loops
Andy M