I am in the process of building a surf rod for throwing 2-3 oz of metal for blues and rockfish. The rod is a st.croix 10 ft 3/4-4oz rod blank and the reel will either be a libra 3500, stradic 4000, or stradic 5000. I have a couple of questions:

1) can I get by with a 30mm (byag) for my first guide
2) can I use single foot guides instead of double foots
3) for running guides can I use the blag guides
4) will size 8 rings be enough to pass a knot (10-14 main line with 30 lb shock leader)


What set-ups are you metal throwers currently using. Thanks for any info.


Dan Grulke

I do not know what size guides will be large enough to pass your knots. You'll have to determine that on your own.

The other stuff is easily answered in the online library article here on the New Guide System primer. An updated and better version was in the issue before last of RodMaker Magazine. Once you decide what size line you'll be using you can decide on which reel to use, at which point you can easily determine the size of the first guide. Generally the ring of the guide should be roughly half, or just over that, the diameter of the spool. And this assumes that you'll be using a fairly high frame spinning type guide.

............

#1 - You should be fine with a BYAG30, but you could always cut one leg off a BMNAG40.
#2 - Absolutely
#3 - Perfect, just use locking wraps
#4 - Maybe, but BLAG10's would be a sure thing. I would suggest giving it a test before you commit.

BTW, you will find the Shimano Spheros 4000 to be a very durable and suitable reel for your application.

(1) Yes, but a 40mm would be better.
(2) Yes
(3) Yes
(4) In general, yes.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Use the Stradic 5000 for the extra line capacity and you can actually get by with a size 25 byag instead of a 30. The 25 byag sets up well with that size Shimano. That 30 is too tall/high in my opinion for that reel. You definitely don't need a bmnag 40. I never thought about cutting a leg off of a two legged guide - interesting proposition. If you are going to have to pass shock knots, then by all means you want size 10 runners versus size 8s. I have built several light surf rods for 4000/5000 stradics and ended up with CYAG 25, 16, 10 and then CLAG 8 runners.

Greetings Dan,

No 1.... I think you are "on the right track" even though You have received some very good advice.

And I would concur with 'yes' for the first 3, and on the 4th, Tom Kirkman pointed at the correct way.
I saw it the same way, when i recently reguided a ten footer for similar applications ranging upto 1 3/4 oz lures.

I needed greater distance than could be obtained with my 8 footers; I'll call it "My Long Bow" awe, I'm jesting, sorry.!!.

On my job, I used BLAG10's because I like to rig the frontend with a SS swivels then 30" of F/C then a small SS duolock snap. The reason is in the northeast corridor there is marvelous fishing for a number of daytime species possessing good eyesight.. To put that in another way, the extra diameters allow better stringing/unstringing. similar to Tom Ks 'knot clearance issues'.

Whatever you do with single foot guides, be sure to use the "forhan lock" as seen here on this forum ; I use 3 to 4 revolutions.per guide.

I have two old model Spheros 4000s(almost 20 years old), Stradic 4000, and Stradic 5000 which are all excellent. And for the sake of argument, for the last reguiding (this last fall), I used a spheros, as its design basis,

And I keep this heirloom and another one in perfect condition, anyway. I think Shimano retired these old models way too soon.

If you email me, I can send an "as built" html copy of the spreadsheet used for reguiding, which is like a 'spec' and features a graphical version of the design layout.

BTW this current season in my area, saw a lot of metals like 'deadly dicks' , 'megabaits', 'needl-eels', 'stingers', 'sparkle-jigs' and many..many more. In that case all can 'work well' for ya. I kinda meant I saw slightly fewer swimmers, etc. I , often, add bucktail and crystal-flash dressed trebles (ie good-eyes, again) to hide the hooks and to give a seductive tail impression.

Added BTW; For what its worth, I'd never cut a blank nor would I cut a guide...you dont need to. We (all of us) are fortunately 'rich' with products.

Good luck Dan,

Bob Marie