I was reading the last few issues of RMM on concept guide system and noticed in vol. 10-2, page 28, it reads number of guides used should be equal in number to the length of the rod in feet, plus one, plus tiptop. Rods that fall on the half-foot, just round down to the nearest full number of feet. So a 6-1/2 foot will count as a 6 footer and will utilize 7 guides plus tiptop. Then in Vol. 10-3, page 28, it reads remember the rule of thumb for the correct number of guides equals the number of feet in rod length, plus one and tiptop. On those rods with half foot lenths, like our 6-1/2 footer, round up to the next foot. So 7 feet, plus one, plus tiptop which equals 8 guides and tiptop. Being a newbie, this could be a little confusing. I know i confused people on this forum and myself with my last post on underspin reels yesterday. lol. After reading on, and going back to Tom's book, the static test will decide how many guides will be needed. Hope i havent confused others with this, because i am.

I use the length rounded up to the next foot. A 6 1/2' rod equals 7', so 8 guides plus tip top.

I use the length, rounded up to the nearest foot, plus one plus the tip top.. only for fly rods... a 7 foot spinning rod gets 7 guides plus a tip top.

I'm with Jim

I should figure 7 guides for 5-1/2 ft UL. Correct.

gets my vote plus tip

I am with Jim too!

The article states to round up, not down.

Even then, it is a general rule of thumb to put you right in the ballpark. Not written in stone.

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Rules of thumb are fine, but be sure to left the static test be the final judge. Spinning vs conventional can make a difference, as can the action of the blank, and the length of the butt grip. And beware some of the manufacturer's suggestions for number of guides and placement . For example, on the PacBay site, they recommend 7 guides on a 7 conventional'. I'm currently wrapping one of theirs and can assure you it seemed to want 8 to stay off the blank, even with a fairly long butt grip. Recommended sizzes can be a little iffy as well. They don't account for reel height, and there is significant variance in the height for a given ring size even within a given manufacturer. So use the rules of thumb to start, but let the static test make the decision.