its going to be professionally done.
Can the reel seat be moved down some?
how does that work ?
It all depends on how your rod was built, like monoxide says they might have to get the reelseat off, but there are occasions where the reel seat can be saved or was built on with something under it and can possibly be moved down some, for my style of fishing from the bridges and piers, your rod is built perfect, also you can make the sand your personal fighting chair and let go of your reel and everything during the fight lol, but if you feel super comfortable with the gimbal thing and only plan on fishing beaches, moving the reel seat down is worth a shot because then if you don't like it you can move it back to where it was and do you some cutting 
try a 16 inch butt and see how it works for you.
Just an average fisherman.
yea id fish it and see how it feels. but if he can cut it and make it look good and after fishing go for it and cut it.
look good? What about the ugly stick
Just an average fisherman.
