[MAKAI]

I'm a tape guy, but then again I'm an old electrician.
I use rubber compound tape first then high end 3m stretchy tape, rock solid.
Only takes me a few minutes, and I can put the reel exactly right on the sweet spot.
I have always felt the reel seat chokes the load up of the blank.
Without it I can feel the flex between my top and bottom hands, It's just what I'm used to.
I got to use a 9 foot legend this fall and the one thing that kept me from buying it was from the ferrule down it was as flexible as a pool cue.
It's just a feel thing for me, makes me think I can cast further.( A spot I fish, that 10 extra yards is all the difference in the world )
I don't know the answer to this, but is that why on some distance casting rods the reel is on the bottom ?

First pic has a reel seat. Second does not.