I'm building a popping rod (spinning), here are the specifications:

Blank: Rainshadow IP842 medium light popping rod, 6 - 12 line, 1/4 - 1/2 lure, 7', moderate-fast action

Reel: - 2000 series Daiwa... there is a slim chance I may try a 2500 series at some point.

Lure: - 5 - 7 inch skinny plastic worms and weight weighing in at about 1/4 ounce on average.

Line - 0.36 mm, P-Line Floroclear 15lb. test (typical 12lb. test) mono... same size as Ande, Stren magnathin, heavy Cover, and Extra Strength 12lb., Berkley Sensation 14 lb., and BPS XPS Mono and P-line CXX 10lb.

I have a G.Loomis production rod with a blank rated as above that casts well... but I would like to make a custom rod so I can customize the handle, and in the process, if i can make it more sensitive, that would be a bonus.

Guides on the G.Loomis:

The G.Loomis uses Tom Kirkman's guide set up, and casts great, but the butt guide is as huge as Shacks' shoe horn! Guides are 30 - 20 - 12 - 8L - 8 - 8 - tip

My question is, is the butt guide size more related to reel spool diameter or line size, or both? I wonder if I could get away with smaller guides, such as starting with a 25 instead of a thirty with my setup, maybe even a 20? Going down in guide size would shave a lot of weight and perhaps increase sensitivity. Should I even think about it, or not waste my time?

I can test cast, but I am hoping someone can help point me in the right direction and give me some feedback.

I have made several Pike and Musky rods with pretty similar specs but heavier power and always use 25 - 16 (or 12) 10 and 6 (or 8) fly guides to the tip set up with the concept system. I usually end op with 7 or 8 guides. Let the reel and static testing configure them for you. I don't think that line size has any bearing on it at all.

Mike

My opinions, others may disagree: The spool diameter is more important than the line size in determining the guide size. A 25 mm guide should work just fine with what you plan to build. I have built several similar rods and use with 2000 size reels and I'm quite happy with the results. Most of my layouts (new concept) are with 25, 16, 10, 8L, and then 6s out to a 6 tip. I usually use 8# and 10# line, but expect no problem using 12# with this setup.

I agree with Tom, on my experience, #25 butt guide is quite enough for both 2000 and 2500 Daiwa sizes. And my guide setups are quite the same as Tom's with the very little exception: I usually use "high" 7 guide instead of 8 "low" one

Pavel,
Moscow, RU

as with the previous posts you will have no problem. I currently fish two rods 6' 6" with the 25-16-10-8l then 6's set up with 12 and 14 pound test. Both rods have 2500's on them and throw the same lures.

Dan Grulke