What is the normal procedure when oversizeing the guides? Go up a size on every guide?

Thanks!

-Harald-

First of all, why would you do this? Next, since there is really no such thing as a "standard" guide size it would be hard to say if going up one size is oversizing - we may all be starting from a different point.

Guides should always be of the smallest size that will perform the required task. Any larger, and you only rob yourself of some measure of the blank's performance.

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The reason I want to use oversized guides is that I want to cast longer.
I am going to build a sage rod so I know what guide size is normally used. It is a 5 weight XP that I sometimes will be using for sea run browns.

I know several manufacturers kall their guides oversized. Of course, if they are making a mistake I don`t want to make the same.

How serious will the "oversizeing" affect my fishing and the feel and performance of the rod positively and negatively?

Thanks!

-Harald-

Oversizing the guides will not allow you to cast further, in fact, it may reduce your distance as the rod will now have to carry the extra weight of the larger guides (this weight is slight, so we're not talking about a huge difference, but there will be some). Thus, some of your imparted energy that could have been used for casting the line must now to be used to start and stop the extra weight of the larger guides.

What you want, are the smallest guides that still allow you to do what you need to do. Spend an single hour and do this-

1. Put on the same guides which Sage uses. With the same reel and line set-up you expect to use on the rod, make some test casts. Check for distance and get a feel for what the rod is doing and how the line is moving.

2. Now oversize all the guides by one size (keep the stripping guide the same size for now). Test cast again and note the distance. If no increase in distance is realized, scrap the oversized guides.

3. Now undersize the guides by one size from the Sage set-up. (Keep the stripping guide the same for now.) If no decrease in distance from the first set is found, keep the smaller guides. If some distance is lost, go back to the original set-up.

4. Using the best guide set-up you have so far, upsize the stripping guide by one size and cast again. If the distance improves, keep it. If not, scrap it and go back to the original size.

5. With the best overal set-up you have found thus far, install an additional stripping guide, one size smaller than the first one, and about 4 inches just past the first one (don't worry if this extra guide looks funny) and cast again. If you gain distance, consider keeping it. If not, scrap it.

By this time you should have arrived a good overall set-up for your rod.

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Thanks for a great post Tom!

I`m just an amateur rod building student so I`m afraid I can`t afford the experiment you`re suggesting.

But in your opinion the best type of guide setup for performance and castability will be:

1. use as small guides as possible, or one size smaller than the original setup.

2. upsize the stripping guide and add one extra stripper 4 inches closer to the top?


1. will not make the rod throw any shorter than normal or oversized guides, and maybe even make it throw longer?

2. will make the rod throw longer...?


Thanks!

-Harald-

If you are using snake guides, then you're not really talking about any sort of large investment in the extra guides needed for the testing. Maybe $10? Believe me, it's worth it.

If you can't do this, then rely on the testing, little as it may be, that the factory has done and use their recommended sizing.

I'd still try the extra stripping guide at 4 inches past the first. It'll only run you the cost of one extra guide.

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If you cannot afford the extra guides, when you order tell the people you are ordering from what you are planning to do, and that you intend on sending some of the guides back after you determine which ones you are going to use on the rod. Just make sure prior to ordering if this is OK with them, and you have spent $0 extra for the optimum guides.

Thanks for the procedure Tom. Very simple and it would see to lead you to the best overall set up with a minimum of fuss. Thanks!