Is it possible to put a new handle and reel seat on a rod or would it just be better to buy a new rod?

Yes there are 2 ways. Both a lot of work....

Allot of work = allot of money....hmmmmm

 

What I would like to do is have a reel seat put on that does not have the annoying trigger on it and be open seat as well.

I would recommend you check the local listings or local brick/mortor tackle shop for a custom rod builder.

If no success there, try here...http://www.tackleworks.org/ for a possible listing of a rod builder in your area.

I personally would not mess a rack rod up with this kind of change, instead I would have a rod built the way I want it...

 

Good Luck

Yes as R.M. stated it is a lot of work. Here is what I haev done with two St. Croix Extreme's, I got them for an Excellent price, but I don't like the 2 piece cork grip's, (just a grumpy old man that ain't ready for that kinda change). So I got with my rod builder, and had them redone with full cork the way I wanted them,,,$50.00 but that included having them precision balanced where I want them, I was told the real seat would be an additional $10.00 plus the cost of the reel seat, if I wasn't going to furnish it. You could have other materials and there are many, from exotic wood's, neoprene, and various other synthetic materials and configurations.

 

It was a steel for me as I had a better rod, customized for me, and a one of a kind made perfect for me, than if I had bought an Legend Extreme or a Legend Elite, and cheaper with the total cost I had in the work and the rod, and doesn't void the warranty!! 

 

This is kinda like being a reel Tech,,,,,they don't get paid much for their time either!!! But most do it as a love for their art!

 

But if it is a quality rod!! (not a "rack rod" to begin with), and you want a configuration a certain way, the cost should be less than $75.00, and if it is,,,,you can't buy much in High Quality Rods,,,,for $75.00, and even harder to get exactly what you want from any rod for $75.00.  So it may be well worth it for you, and it could be less or more, just depends on the custom rod builder you decide to go with. I would find someone that does the work that you want to done, and they will give you an up front estimate for what you want. You can get as wild or mild as you want, I chose bi-colored cork for my custom grip. The other rod was done in the same two colors of cork, just in a different combination, both well worth the $42.50 for the handles, and $7.50 for the balancing. Now I have it MY WAY!!  

If it is a good quality blank I would suggest you send it off to a custom rod builder and have him strip it and make you a custom rod using your blank. If you want it exactly like it is he can even reuse your guides if they are in good shape. That way you will have a brand new rod for less than it would cost to buy a new one. I just had this done this spring and am amazed at what my 20  year old st. croix rod turned into when put in a professional's hands. 

Yes as R.M. stated it is a lot of work. Here is what I haev done with two St. Croix Extreme's, I got them for an Excellent price, but I don't like the 2 piece cork grip's, (just a grumpy old man that ain't ready for that kinda change). So I got with my rod builder, and had them redone with full cork the way I wanted them,,,$50.00 but that included having them precision balanced where I want them, I was told the real seat would be an additional $10.00 plus the cost of the reel seat, if I wasn't going to furnish it. You could have other materials and there are many, from exotic wood's, neoprene, and various other synthetic materials and configurations.

 

It was a steel for me as I had a better rod, customized for me, and a one of a kind made perfect for me, than if I had bought an Legend Extreme or a Legend Elite, and cheaper with the total cost I had in the work and the rod, and doesn't void the warranty!! 

 

This is kinda like being a reel Tech,,,,,they don't get paid much for their time either!!! But most do it as a love for their art!

 

But if it is a quality rod!! (not a "rack rod" to begin with), and you want a configuration a certain way, the cost should be less than $75.00, and if it is,,,,you can't buy much in High Quality Rods,,,,for $75.00, and even harder to get exactly what you want from any rod for $75.00.  So it may be well worth it for you, and it could be less or more, just depends on the custom rod builder you decide to go with. I would find someone that does the work that you want to done, and they will give you an up front estimate for what you want. You can get as wild or mild as you want, I chose bi-colored cork for my custom grip. The other rod was done in the same two colors of cork, just in a different combination, both well worth the $42.50 for the handles, and $7.50 for the balancing. Now I have it MY WAY!!  

Now thats beautiful work he did Capt. Bob, you can always tell when the proper hands have worked a rod.... 

A window seat is sized to fit tight at a determined spot on the blank so it has to be installed from the tip which would require stripping the rod. If it's just a matter of removing the trigger they can be ground down, but I'd lean in R.M.'s direction of starting from scratch. I seldom recommend rebuilding on a blank unless it's for sentimental reasons. The work to strip a blank often offsets the cost of replacement.