I have built a number of boo rods over the years and always wanted to find out why it appears that there are so much more up than downlocking reel seats offered in the catalogs. Other than the fact that the stationary seat is more apt to come off the butt end as a result of the exerted force of tightening the reel, I am finding the rods are somewhat better balanced when the reels are mounted further toward the butt, hence, less tiring at the end of the day. I have never had the butt end ring come loose either. Thoughts anyone?
FWIW, and that’ll get you nowhere, my only comment is that I prefer a ‘Down-Locking’ reel seat.
I prefer uplocking.
You say tuh-mate-oh. I say ta-mot-oh. 
I like the rings…
You’re absolutely right about that, and back when bamboo rods were the standard, down locking was much more common for that reason. More recent materials are lighter, so the balance point has shifted. Pushing the reel back isn’t as necessary anymore, and I suspect to many people it makes the whole rod/reel system seem heavier. Other than that, the only reason I can think of for the switch is aesthetics.
Hey reidetz:
Appreciate your observations. I think there is more disbalance now that reels are made of bar stock material and the rods are made of lighter but higher modulus graphite, pushing the balance point further up the rod handle to the point that sometimes one must hold the rod partially where no cork exists.