Hello and happy holidays. I wanted to ask a few questions about the RECOIL titanium guides from REC. I was hoping to put them on my new dropshot Loomis rod, the DS820 model. I don't like a rod that wears you out, even the "lightweight "rods that the factories offer. I know that the REC spinning guides are really lightweight and sensitive. But I'm concerned about balancing out the rod when I put the reel seat assembly together with the guides on. Any input on these RECOIL guides? Are they better than the SIC or Alconite ceramics. I'm not really concerned about casting distance, just weight and sensitivity. Any help would be awesome!

You can just moc things up with tape till you get what you want, than put'er together. You've got the right idea, on a drop shop or jigging rod, you don't need the big heavier guides. Rogue made a dropshot rod that is a little different and may give you some ideas of a different way. tackletour.com has it in their archives. It's really nothing new, just a modification of what the salmon/steelheaders have done on the longer rods for many years. I have an old spinning european match rod that casts into next week and the stripping guide is a high framed size 10.

Chris,
Those guides are the lightest guides I have ever used very durable as well. However, they are not as slick as ceramics IMHO.
I like them for some applications and not for others. I think they would be a good choice for your drop shot rod.
tape them in place with your handle assembly not glued yet and you can move things around a tad and see about the balance.
A drop shot rod is best balanced a tad "butt heavy" isn't it? Less fatigue on the wrist I'm guessing.
Also, the lighter the components the better the rod sensitivity.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

For price and lightweight why not look at the Titan guides from American tackle.

It is rare that any rod is butt heavy. I wouldn't worry about the guides being too light. Less weight on the tip usually makes a rod more responsive and more sensitive. Go for it.