A good slide band fit should be tight enough for confident fishing. A problem sometimes encounted is that if the angle of the reel foot is too steep, or the rings untapered, it may not be gradual enough of contact to create a tight fit. If you don't feel good about it and the rings aren't tapered and on backwards, either try a different reel or replace the seat.

Historically the downlocking seat was, by far, the more popular choice. This moved the center of gravity away from the hand and helped counteract the weight of a bamboo rod. When the weight is centered on the hand, the rod feels lighter since you don't feel like you have to hold the tip up. However, as plastic began to replace the one and only true and proper rod material uplocking seats became the rage. This moved the weight closer to your hand and balanced better with the new lightweight materials.

Bill O.

www.oysterbamboo.com