Hi guys I have a question for you all. I'm working on my first rod its a Cascade 1502 & need a second opinion I'm installing my guides & I taped them to the blank & flexed the blank & positioned them where they look right the line follows the curve of the blank but i'm just not confident enough to start wrapping them without a second opinion .So heres how they are spaced from the tip size 20 -7",size 20 -15",size 20-25",size 20-37",size 25-50",size30-73", My first guide is 43" from the reel seat ,this concerned me as I measured my 12' Tica & the first guide is about 36" from the reel seat. Once again I'd like to thank everyone for all the information on this board Mike in central Pa.

6 total guides on a 12'6" blank? I'd say you need more and they certainly don't need to be size 20's on out to the tip. A #16 will pass about any shock leader knot in existance.

Is this for a spinning rod or a casting rod? Something doesn't sound right.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2005 07:24PM by Tom Kirkman.

Hi again the rod will be a casting rod for throwing heavy weights mostly 6-8 oz..Should I drop down to size 16 guide towards the end ? Is a size 20 to big ? thanks Mike

You want to use the smallest guides that will still pass your shock leader knot. A 12 might be all you need, but a 16 is more likely. Either way, on a rod that long with the guides on top, I don't think you can do a good job with less than about 8 guides. And that's cutting it close.

More than likely I'd use a spiral wrap on it. If not, then think about starting with a 25, then a 20 and then all lower frame casting type 16's.


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Mike, 43 inches sounds like a long way to me. One way to figure out where to put the first guide is with the "THE NEW GUIDE CONCEPT" here is a link to it [www.rodbuilding.org]

Use the reel that plan on using for this rod. You should also test cast to make sure the like doesnt slap the blank and the casting performance is what you are looking for etc....

Like Tom said 8 guides would be cutting it close, for what its worth the fuji chart says 10 guides...

John

Mike, I just finished the same blank that you are currently working on. I cut 6 inches off of the tip (I want it extra stout) and ended up using eight guides plus the tip top. My giude sizes are two 25's, two 20's, three 16's one 14, and a 14 tip. I would have finished it out with all 16's and a 16 tip, but they didn't make a 16 tip top in the color guide I'm using. This combo should be just fine because I checked my other ready made bait casters, and the tips are 12's. I've never had a problem with the shock knot hanging-up then, and don't expect a problem with this combo. I'm not sure how far the first guide is from the reel seat, but I can measure it for you if you want a comparison. Good luck!

Hi again & thanks for the imput.I ordered some new size 16 guides & a new tip top guess I'll start out with the 25 then 20 then 16's the rest of the way . I was going by a recommendation on another board with the guides I had originally.I'm already learning quite alot but so much more to learn.I got toms book & it has been a big help along with this site .Thanks again guys for your time