I am putting together my first big game rod. The blank is a calstar, rated 50-130 [I think it's called the Baja Boomer]. on a shorty curved handle. The vendor advised 5 large Aftco roller guides. The blank is only 5 1/2 feet and seems really crowded with 5 guides. and a 16" fore grip. Would 4 guides be better? Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't personally use a handle on this particular blank,although it can be done. This blank was designed to be built with a gimbal or cap,reel seat,butt, and foregrips. Most builders using this do get the five roller guides on with no problems. Most commonly used are the Aftco HD's.I am of no help to you if you are going to use the Aftco Big Foots,but still,can't see any problems with them save for the feet being too wide towards the tip. If you do build it with a curved butt,I can't see why you couldn' t use five guides. Pretty stiff stick you're building. I would advise a light drag or being strapped into a chair bolted through the deck. And if you feel that 5 guides really crowds it,then go with four. If a detachable butt was needed,I would have used an IGFA type blank. Those blanks are typically designed for such handles and the butt is often more level and created to fit the Aftco handles,as well as others. This ensures a better epoxy bond between the blank and ferrule. The level butt also allows for some trimming of the blank for better adaptation to an individual users needs where length is a concern. There are some variables you didn't mention that would help others give you the benefit of their knowledge. Is it going to be a chair or standup rod,etc.
Chuck

Unless the guides actually butt up against each other, too many is not going to be nearly as bad as too few. At least not a heavy rod such as you mention. If you're adding a butt/handle to the standard 5'6" blank length, then you should certainly be able to go with 5 guides.

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Hi Gary,

I just got done building 3 Stand up tuna rods on the Calstar GFGR7455 blanks: H for 60 lb test; XH for 80 lbs test; XXH for 100 lbs test. I used three big foot roller guides facing the reel with two smaller HD roller facing the tip at Dos Ski's recommendation. Understand that the two HD roller guides will be facing the tip, while the three big foot roller guides will be facing the reel. It will looks a little drifference, but works increditability well. No problem getting the five roller guides to fit on the blank. Me, I find the spine, glue on the grips, reel seat, and tip. Put a 40 (yes, I use body building weights and yes, it is scary) pound load on the tip to blend the rod and start spacing the guides with the reel in place and using the reel line to run though the roller to help line them up and make sure the guide spacing is correct.
I do this a couple of time just to make sure I have it right, but more for my own peace of mind.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that I also use a 20 inch foregrip and a 8 inch reargrip. Yep, it all fits nicely and you can pull your self right off the boat with any of these rods. In fact, I was so concerned with the fact that I could be pulled off the boat that I asked my friend Doc Ski on what to do if I should find myself being dragged off the boat by a three hundred pound tuna. His answer with a very straight face, why do you think they have a drag on the reel? Then, he just smiled at me. Doc is sooooo stright funny.

One more thing, I know a bunch of guys that love that Boomer series for big tuna. In fact, I am also thinking of building a stand up tuna rod on the baja junior or better yet, waiting to get my hands on one of the NEW Lamiglass blanks-- SOMEDAY --

Good wrapping on that tuna rod.