Okay, I did read the article in the Library about setting up a spinning rod. I'm still not happy with how it casts. Any suggestions?

Sean,
What is it you don't like about the casting?
What was your goal for the performance of the rod and to what lure/line applications? What blank did you choose and component choice, and how did you put it all together? That might help in getting some specific response to your not being happy with it.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

Put up more info. What guides are you using, what reel how fare are the guides from the reel

6 foot light action for dropshotting. Alconite guides. light line.

The first guide is about 24 inches from the reel. It seems that the line stacks on the guide. I don't need this thing to cast a mile. Most of the time i just drop the dropshot under the boat, but I don't like to hear the line slap.

What is the line rating? Action is in terms of fast, moderate,slow, etc. When you say 'ligh action' I'm taking that to mean perhaps a line rating that is up to about 8 lb. test but that's only a guess. Is there a tag showing on the blank to show the lure wt. rating?
Also, what size are the guides? What size is the butt guide that is 24 inches from the reel face? What is the size of reel? Is it something like a shimano 2000 size or smaller?
Alconite guides are fine. Line slap as you mention can indicate that you need to consider some adjustment in guide sizing or spacing. What line weight are you using? .........................

I don't remember what size the guides are off the top of my head. The butt guide is slightly more than 1/2 the size of the spool. The reel is pretty standard sized (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=51646&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=1&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

The blank is Rainshadow ISB780 or ISB781 (I bought it a while ago, and can't remember. It's at home as well as the invoice for the blank and guides)

The ISB780 is 6'6" and 4 to 8 lb. moderate fast action
The ISB781 is 6'6' and 6-12 lb. rating and fast action

I suspect using either of these blanks would be fair to try a dropshot rig weighing 1/4 to 3/8 oz. If it's the ISB781 would give you a bit heavier range up to about 1/2 oz. If it's either of those blanks, I'de probalby choose a 6 or 8 lb. low memory/thin diameter low streth co polymer line. The butt guide seems okay if it's about 1/2 the diameter of the reel spool. I am guessing it's probably a size 25 ring size.
If you read about concept guide setup and the sequence of photos in Rod Building guide or one of the issues of Rodmaker this was shown will be a great aid in setup to get the choke point lined up. You'll likely eliminate most of the line slap by the right spacing and using low frame guides past the choke guide.
This might help. Good luck.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

One thing I do when setting up my guides to the reel is take the spool off and use the shaft that it rids on to set the guides to center and the chock guide. Hope this all helps
You can also try different but sizes like a #30 and a #20 and see if it makes any difference

Bill, you beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing. Merry Christmas. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.