I made a “template” for the New Guide Concept method (instead of using a the edge of a table) by taping several pieces of poster board together, drawing a straight line on it, and then another line at a 4 degree angle (all my reels have this upsweep) that intersected the previous straight line at one end. Now I could lay my blank with the reel attached over the lines and move them up and down until they were perfectly aligned. I drew another angled line next to my centerline to represent the actual taper of a blank and then marked the actual guide heights (underside of foot to top of frame) for 30-25-20-16 etc. between it and the 4 degree line. Now I can see what guides I would need for a specific layout prior to ordering my guides (if using a 4 degree upsweep reel).

Then I wanted so see how Fuji’s Concept spacing actually looked in comparison. I mounted a piece of wood on my 6’ level and drilled a hole in it to represent the same distance between “blank and spindle tip”. Fuji’s butt guide location for an 8’ spinning rod is 53.25”. On my blank, that puts the butt guide 25.75” from the spool face. I marked this spot on my level, placed a 30mm guide there, and worked backwards (towards the front) positioning the remaining 16-10-8L-7-7 guides at the Fuji specs. Then I ran a string from the front end, through all of the guides and into the hole in the block that represented the tip of the spindle. The line touches the outer inside edge of all of the guides 16mm and forward. I was amazed see the line had passed through the exact dead center of the 30mm butt guide! I’m wondering if this was by chance or the exact result Fuji had intended?

Putting 9 guides within a 53.25” span seems like a lot to me on an 8’ blank, but since the sole purpose of it will be to land Salmon from a boat, I’m going to build it with the Fuji’s recommended spacing. I cast this set up before and it was second best of my results anyway. Just wondering if anyone wastes as much time as I do in trying to understand why certain things work the way they do?

I myself always try to put the line or edge as close to the center of the rig as possible. Just me. I also try to use Fuji concept guides for spin rods. Seem to be set to a good height.

You aren't wasting your time when you do these type things. You're learning and gaining experience that will ultimately be helpful down the road. I only wish more builders would take the same approach that you have, although I do realize that many just want to put together a rod to two and aren't really interested in a long term hobby.

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Thanks for this most interesting post!

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

Tim - You say that the Fuji set up was 2nd best in your casting? What was your first?

By the way...I don't think that was a waste of time either. I totally agree with Tom. Maybe because I do stuff like that too! I could be biased though.

Thanks


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.