MIchael,
That's where I was going with the second rod idea... IST series (RX7) With a Penn Captiva 4000 you can start with a 30 as the first stripper out 25-28 inches from the reel face, the second 20 winds up about 2.5 inches from the ferrule. Change over to single foot 16,12,12,10,10 (8 or 10) depending on the ring diameter of the tip top. Much lighter, much more responsive with the loss of the second support guide foot - and still in the 15lb and better line --- especially if you go to 10lb diameter power pro (rated for 30)... True casting machine!

Batson RainShadow SW-1087 RX-7 Graphite (Surf Rod)
SW1087 ... Matte Clear ... 8'10" ... 1-piece ...
15-25lb. ... 3/4-4oz. ... 0.740" ... 7.5 / 64ths ...
Mod-Fast ... Medium ... 7.15oz. ... ~$70

Double-foot Tri-Legs - 40mm-72", 30mm-56", 20mm-45"
Single-foot Bi-Legs - 16mm-35", 12mm-27",
Single-foot Fly Legs - 10mm-21"-15"-10"-5"
Tip-Top - At least a 10mm Ring Size - at Zero Inches.

Luis - This is NOT intended to be an exact list of guides and the precise location of them for your own actual use. For one thing, your choice of either Y-frame or V-frame guides for the "Bi-Legs" will affect the size and / or location. Also, if you don't like the FLY guides for some reason, then the Bi-Legs are a good choice. Here is where you REALLY want to SAVE WEIGHT - in the top 3 feet of this rod blank.

But my suggestion of a Guide Scheme & Layout IS intended to provoke others to "top" my advice, and offer you their own (better) suggestions, with some proposals for guide locations. Take another look at John Dow’s, Michael Joyce’s and Ken Preston’s Replies.

You said you would be using: Fuji Hardloy BSVLG's – 40mm, 30mm, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm, 12mm and a 12mm-ring top, as per recommended by the salesman at the shop you bought the blank from.

Lumo, ... It seems like the significance of ditching the old cone-of-flight layout that we all tossed around for you 2 week ago hasn't sunken in yet. ... Hopefully, this will new Thread will help you get your ball rolling in a better direction.

BTW, I am strongly in Lou Reyna's camp regarding underwraps (to the letter), and Emory Harry's comments (03-19-06 08:38am) give additional reasons for why it is safe to use underwraps on heavy rods, if you want to.

Lumo, you may want to skip underwraps to keep this rod simple. But, IMO, you could underwrap to your hearts content on this rod and not really notice it, in the weight, fatigue or resonance. IF you build it the New Concept way, ...

BUT, if you build this rod with a gigantic cone-of-flight guide layout like the salesman set you up with, then you will have a massive, if not "clunky", catapult for a rod. Instead of a light & crisp rod tip to whip your plugs out there, like all of us here at RBO have been recommending to you.

Lumo, – Now may be a good time to re-read your first Post, and see if all this makes more sense to you the second time around. …
Best Wishes, Cliff Hall+++

Batson SW1087 Luis Morales March 9, 2006 21:41
[www.rodbuilding.org] ... The guide set up I was recommended was 50,40,30,25,20,16 Fuji Hardloy BSVLG's and a 16 top. Seems big, conical and different from what I've seen. But what do I know. … The reel seat is already 18 inches from the butt and will be paired with a Stradic 5000. … It's my first, but I'm stoked with the way the split cork grips came out, so I really want the rest to come out well for some long term use. Thanks all!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2006 12:23AM by Cliff Hall.

Cliff , not having that perticular blank and reel in front of me, ( I do have 2 967-Fs' and a "few" reels though ) I'm not at liberty to give an exact , to the inch , layout as you have so graciously provided . I will say that I offered my oppinion as to guide sizes to accomidate what he had on hand , taking into concideration he had a # 12 top already , and only had to get a few more 12s'. By starting with the 40 , Lumo has the option to do some different set-ups ommiting/adding different guides untill he has what he's looking for ,following the instructions in the "New Concept Primer" artical , and the suggestions given here .
"my suggestion of a Guide Scheme & Layout IS intended to provoke others"........ I would throw out the 12 in your set-up , and add another 10....................

Underwraps are subjective to whom the rod is being built by ,and for who it's being built for , that was offered as an option , not as a rule .

Lumo , you have a lot of info , and quite a few oppinions for sizes and lay out for his guides , and should have no problem building a great casting , efficent , fishing rod . If you have problems , you know where to turn . I'm sure we have swayed you in the right direction as to the "concept" guide lay-out . You will be pleased when you fish with your new rod .
Best of luck in your venture .
John H Dow
North East Rod Builders

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