Wondering if I could get some suggestions for guides to use on this blank. I'm building it for a friend of mine. He wanted a rod for stripers and blue fish. I gave him the choice between this blank and the SWS70M. Other specs are 15 -30 line and 1 - 4 oz. lure. I primarily build bass rods so this is a little new to me. I think I want to stick with Fuji guides. I was looking at MNSG or ICMNSG. Because of price he'll probably opt for the Alconite rings. I wanted to give him a few options but wanted to get opinions from here first.

Casting or spinning? Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

That would help, wouldn't it????? Spinning.

What size reel? Using bait or technique that would require shock leaders or line connections?

Without enough info something like:

25-16-12-8JL- 7-7-7-7- tip

or

30-20-12-8JL-8-8-8-8-tip

You will need to play around with the guide sizes and numbers so that you get a good static guide test result. Those suggestions are just to get you started/looking in a positive direction but should not be substituted for an actual static guide test.

Hope that helps



Dan Grulke

Dan, he is suppose to let me know what reel he is thinking about getting on Monday. Are you suggesting the BYAG guides? If so, will they be strong enough for this application?

I go answer the door and when I return... LOL. Seriously, Don, Dan gave you as much help as I could with guide size. Look in the above Library if you need help with static displacement guide positioning. Especially since I don't build heavier than 20 lb. test rods. 20# is as heavy as I fish with. I'm an ultra-light & fly fisher. That said, I love Fuji Alconite guides and think I'd go with the B/CYAG guides. I've found them plenty strong enough for Flathead Catfish, 20# line. That's with the drag set between 4 & 5 lb. Or you could use the BMNAG guides. I know they're strong enough. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

Don,

Sorry didn't read your post close enough. If he is planning on throwing lures up in the 4 oz range I probably would use the double foots the ones you mentioned or the BMNAG's that Don suggested. These would definately be "stronger" more durable (especially if the guy is hard on the rod) but would make it heavier and slow the action some.

I prefer the single foot Alconites (less weight). These should be BYAG's for the first 4 then follwed by the BLAG's (fly guides) to finish it out. I forgot to mention in the concept style with a locking wrap. Alot of of the musky rod's are built with double foots for the first two or three guides and then single foot running guides and are capable of throwing heavier lures and handling 20+ pound fish.

I have used the single foots for fish up to 25 pounds no problem.


Give him the pricing, info, and pluses/minuses of both options and let him make the choice. Just get as much info from him as possible so you can build exactly what he wants for the application/tyoe of fishing he will use it for.


Dan Grulke