I have a Berkley brand Gary Roach model 5'8" Ultra Light spinning rod that I've have for quite some time. I was looking at it yesterday and just busted out laughing. It is for 2-6 pound line (no lure rating) and it has 6 high frame spinning guides on it, 20-16-12-10-8-8 with a #8 tip top that would also work on my Minn-Kota electric anchor winch. I don't put guides this big on my Salmon rods! And the 20mm butt guide is only 15" from the reel.

I was thinking of stripping these guides off and belive I can get away with just 5 guides - 16-8-6-6-6 with a small #6 tip My concern is, the heavy guides currently on it now help flex the rod during casting. If I reduce the overall guide weight considerably, will I still be able to cast it effectively? I know it should be more sensitive but I'm afraid it could wind up like a really stiff clunker of a rod. Thanks.

The lure should be loading the rod, not the guides. If the lures you're using are matched to the casting power of the rod, you should be fine and may even cast further due to more of your imparted energy going into casting and less into starting and stopping the rod. But if what you're throwing is too light to load the rod, then it may not cast as well.

Either way, I'd read the online library article on the New Guide Concept Primer and go at it that way. I think you can improve the heck out of it.

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Tim,
I'm with Tom, when I changed the guides on some of my Loomis factory rods it made a huge difference in how much I enjoyed them. It changed my PR8400S from something I used very little to one of my favorites.

Good project! Some of my most fun and memorable projects have been factory rods that I had sentimental attachment too but, once I learned how to make better rods, didn't use much anymore. By improving them, they are among my favorites again, plus they have even more sentimental value since I have some of my own time and thoughtful design in them now. Have fun.

Or just lighter guides and put them right back in those same locations.

I agree with Ken. Perhaps wire-framed guides of one style or another. Although I prefer larger guides, it's really a matter of style and as long as your layup doesn't end up with flat-spots, or with hinges either.

You could also mess with the handles and reel-seat. Sounds like a fun project. We do a lot of these for folks round here.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Do all you can to rebuild your rod into the best you can build, for you. Ralph

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