Sliding Rings

[GettinJiggy]

All I use is sliding rings and the custom rods I own have sliding rings as well. It makes the rod more practical and versitile IMO. If I want to switch my pin out for my Diawa Sol, easily done and positioned exactly where I like. Balance and comfort are what make it practical for me. I have also never had a reel fall off of my rod nor taped the reel to my rod. If the reel is seated properly and securely; the reel popping off shouldn't happen. I still, however, check it a few times a day to make sure the rings are tight just in case. This most likely must happen when the rod is new...I have noticed that over time, the reel seat will create a nice bed in the cork which allows you to tighten the rings down on the reel better. No problems for me.

As for why manufacturers do it...Agree with Goby..definitely cost, convenience and the "one size fits all" theory.

To each his own.

[DaveP]

Good ideas, thanks. Seems like after finding the sweet spot, it would then make sense to have a reel seat built and you now have a cutomized 15 footer made to your specs. Or, is the tape set up good enough that you just leave as is?

Once taped, I leave it as-is. Never had a problem with the seats loosening. The only purpose for the tape is to keep the rings from moving the least little bit. There's zero pressure on the tape to actually hold the reel to the handle.

[staffman]

Phillipson reel seats slide on the cork handle.

[Equinox]

staffman thanks for the info.