I have a Pac Bay Traditional series 9' 9wt blank that I am finally getting around to building. I am looking for some opinions on what guide sizes to use. In searching previous posts there seem to be a variance of opinions. I was considering using the following: 16,12,10,6,5,5,4,4,4,4,4,4, and a 5.5 tip or possibly 20,16,12,6,6,6,5,5,5,5,5 with a 5.5 tip. This is only my second build and the first heavy weight rod I've built. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Scott,

You can probably tape your guides on and test for the best size. You can keep getting smaller until performance gets worse and then jump back up a size.
Either setup you mentioned would work with a 9wt rod. If you plan to use a standard line with no loops or knots, the #16 stripper etc. would work fine. If you might be considering some river use with multi-tip lines, shooting heads, knots and loops and you might see some ice, I would go with the larger guides. Good luck,

Dan

Just built a 9 wt. for light saltwater. I chose a set up like your second option. I think I used 2 #6s and the remainder #5s. I chose an oversized loop for the tip. I also chose single foot RECs in 6 and 5 because I saw no need to continue reducing guide size smaller than the oversize tip loop. My intended target is false albacore and loop-loop connections and backing run through the guides frequently. It works for me, but I agree that taping guides and casting the different set ups would ultimately be most useful.

For what you're wanting to use, I'd go 16 - 12 and then 4's on out. There is no need to gradually drop through sizes. Just get right down to the smallest guides that will pass your required connections.

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