I like SG's suggestion there SF.

Yes, the cap is usually epoxied on. I think Rod Bond epoxy will soften when heated. I tried heating up regular epoxy, to get a reel seat off a blank, and it was a real (not reel) pain to remove.

If you're going to remove the cap, heat up the end of the reel seat with a heat gun or boil it in hot water, but, don't force it off. I agree with Nick, you don't want to ruin your rod.