I am new to rodbuilding and I am preparing to build my first rod,,, for my first couple of rods I am going to build a couple cheap setups so that I can get the hang of it.. Here is my question,,, when I do build my good, expensive rod I was wondering if there was much of a difference between the fuji sic guides and the alconite spinning guides( besides the price) I am going to build a 7'6 inshore spinning rod,, medium,, most targets would include snook, redfish trout, and some juvenile tarpon.. I also use spectra line,,, all artificial no live bait.. I would appreciate the feedback

The SIC are better, sort of. Under actual fishing conditions, I doubt you're going to be able to tell the difference. The Alconites are light, smooth, hard and slick. Spectra line will not hurt them. I seriously doubt that you'd ever be disappointed in them.

.............

Brian,
I stopped using the SIC guides. I had too many inserts pop out. I have not had that problem with the Alconites. The only drawback to the Alconites is that the frames are very thin. You really have to take good care and wash the rods with soap and water and dry after a day on the salt.

We would recommend the American Tackle Titanium guides with Nanolite inserts. You will be fishing in saltwater, besides the issue of which ring material is better, you have to be more concerned with corrosion - any stainless steel frame with rush, it is just a mater of how long it takes - the ATC titanium frame will not rust, period and it is about half the weight of any stainless steel frame, so you get the best of both worlds, no rush and half the weight. The Nanolite insert is better (harder, smoother) than the Fuji Alconite and almost equal to SIC.

But the best part about these guides is the price - you get no rust, less weight and SIC performance for less than you pay for some stainless steel guides.

Read more about them:
[shop.mudhole.com]

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Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
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Brian,
I would also look at the zerconium guides if I were you. They are availble from Batson and American Tackle. Zerconium is harder than Alconite, which is just a high grade of aluminum oxide, and I suspect harder than Nanolite, whatever that is. The zerconium guides are not as hard as Sic guides but they are a lot less expensive and they also come with titanium plated frames. The zerconium guides also come in several very attractive colors.

Personally, I would stick with the Alconites. Great guides at a reasonable price. My only question is, why build a few cheap rods? Just get the components for the rod you want, take your time and build it. If you mess up, cut it off and start over. You'll actually save money in the long run, and wind up with a rod that you will use over and over again.

Also if any one has noticed the batson fly single foot guides sit a little higher from the blank then the alconites. helps keep the line of the blank. Would be nice if they made a Concept single foot spin guide though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/2005 07:18AM by bill boettcher.