I am building a St Croix spinning rod for a friend. The blank will be used for 2-4lb line and will be built with the Fuji Alconite single foot guides. I usually build heavier salt water rods and typically use an underwrap for the guides. For this light of a rod is an underwrap necessary or even beneficial?

With good guide prep there is no need for the underwrap. All it will do is add extra weight, and on such a light line class rod, you want it as light as possible, to enhance sensitivity and casting.

You'll probably end up with a rod that is well under 4oz complete. Leave the underwraps off.

Jay

Michael; You would do well to read the article in the library here on this site on how to set up the guides for a spinning rod. Using smaller lighter guides will make for a much more sensitive and efficient rod.

I myself do not like the aconite fly guides because the ring is right up onto the blank. The Forecast guides are some thing to look at. They have a little bend in the upright post to push the ring just a little father away from the blank. Even lighter are the Re-coil guides. Also I have found that braided line will not hold the pig tails from the reel and gives longer casting distance. You will have to Ty on a mono leader though. Even the 4 LB braid is very strong when you get hung up.

Micheal, I am in the process of building two 6 foot, SC3 St Croix rods, and weight is a real consideration, I am using forecast VS single foot guides, and also fly guides, instead of underwraps, why not do metallic accents, it really sets the wraps off. I tried to use amtak Holo/Holo guides, but when I got to the tip, the bulk of the guides just overwhelms the rod action. Instead I went with chameleon style forecast guides and am very pleased with them. Especially the fact that the rings are zirconium which makes them very hard and slippery. The cost is not that a big of a factor. I am also working with a 5'9" SC5 ultra lite and I expect to use the forecast guides also. Don't get me wrong I really like the alconites, but you are limited to two colors, black and chrome which is ok, but not extreme enough for me and most of my customers. The forecast guides come in tich frames, with blue, gold, chameleon, tich, colored rings which makes for more choices with thread, cork colors, reelseat colors etc. Just my take on the subject.

Also a " non ' plated guide will weigh less. Look at the Titan guides from American Tackle

Bill,

How much less mass for an unplated guide. Are we going just a tad too far.

Thanks for all the responses. I sounds like I can skip the underwrap. My friend has already bought the alconite guides, so we will probably use those. Thanks again for the advice