On a 7 ft casting rod , what are the benefits of using a #6 guide instead of a #7 on the end ? Or is the differance marginal at best?.I hope I've explained my question correctly.
Thanks in advance
Ken Blevins

Less weight, particularly near the tip, means that less of your imparted energy will be spent in starting and stopping the rod. It allows the rod to be more efficient that it would be with if it was heavier per the same stiffness.

You can see this effect for yourself just by wrapping a good bit of lead wire around the tip and shaking the blank a bit. Now remove the lead and do the same again. Notice how much crisper the blank feels without that extra weight there? Notice how much quicker it reacts and then comes back to a stop without the extra weight?

Okay, but how much difference will there be between a few #6 and #7 guides you ask. It's not much, but there is a difference. Enough to really feel or notice? Maybe, a little anyway. But if the smaller guides don't hamper casting distance or line/knot passage (if needed) then I'd go with the smaller guides. If you can keep all the required aspects of your rod intact while reducing weight, then lighter is better. Again, in your scenario we're really not talking very much at all. I'd use the 6's if they'll work for you, but if you must use 7's you won't ruin the rod by any means.

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