As I prepare to start on my rod, I've thought about the reel seat a lot. I'm going to turn my own, and I'm going to try to find a nice piece of pecan to do it. I can't help wondering, however, why all the books insist on hardwood. I know that some hardwoods are more stable than softwoods, but any wood, properly finished should serve fine. So why not cedar, or cypress, or even heart pine?

Swamp