Well I fell short of my mark by about 50 yards, still this 8 1/2' Titanium Lamiglas rod casts a rocket. Sailing approx. 60 feet in the air I cast 90-95 yards consistantly. I was stuck in the 50 yard range. I tried obscure guide spacing and sizes, more weight, less weight, more guides and less guides...and on and on. Single greatest factor: THE CORRECT FISHING LINE. I could use the best known "new concept guide system" arrangement and still fall well short of my mark without the proper fishing line. Low memory Trilene smooth casting line works! Second greatest factor: PROPER GUIDE SIZE TO LINE WT. RATIO, especially at and beyond the choke guide. In fact I could eliminate the butt guide and the next without a single change in distance. Once I nailed those factors I had an immediate 45-50 yard gain, That's Twice the distance. I finally settled on a variation of the new concept guide system tailored specifically to how this blank reacts. I'm satisfied and I think anyone would be If they could see this rod cast. Thanks for the input and the encouragment.

I think everybody knows that smaller and limper line casts further than heavier and thicker line. At least I hope they do.

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You didn't say what weight you are throwing, makes a difference. But I consistently throw a 2 ounce Stingsilver (good aerodynamic shape) 100-110 yards on a factory 9-foot spinning rod. I use a limp 10# line and a 20# shock leader for safety. The reel makes a difference also, especially the size and shape of the reel spool. And another factor to consider is the length of the butt for the particular rod length. Probably the biggest factor is simply casting skill and technique.

I am using 1.5 oz. on 12 # mono. Technique was something I left out only because I forgot to mention it. Would you explain how the butt section length affects the cast and what technique you like best? By the way when I ordered the new concept guide set I received size 7 tip section guides, but because I was using 12# line size 8 guides resulted in much better casts. I am sure these basic concepts are well known to a lot of rod builders however, I am discovering most of these principals through field testing, literally. LOL. Anyway thank you for the information.

Using concept guides does not give you the concept system. These are two different things. Keep playing with different set ups and eventually you'll discover all sorts of things about casting and the various guides systems.

Greg: Regarding butt length: a longer butt results in less rod length above the fulcrum point of the cast, but provides more leverage and more power for a two-handed cast. So there's a trade-off, plus that's an over-simplification, finding the ideal butt length involves other factors also. As for casting technique, I'm hardly an expert, but books have been written by those who are. A good recent one is "The Ultimate Guide to Surfcasting", by Ron Arra and Curt Garfield, The Lyons Press, Guilford, Connecticut (2001). I got my copy (not expensive) via Amazon.