Well, I came across this website tring to find information about how to fix a front grip or there to go to have it fix. After a few hours of reading I became interested in learning more about rod building and have to say I think I have a hobby to go along with my love for fishing.

I am not much of a reader I like to things done so I bought a how to video and the Rod Building Guide Book by Tom Kirkman. I have been BASS fishing for 3 yrs now and have to say hands down I have learned more about fishing rods in general from Toms book than I have from reading a lot of hours from fishing magizines. The videoto got was helpful but lacked many items to question.

My question is on guide sizes. I understand the placement and testing the placement of the guides but I would like to know as a general rule of thumb what sizes do you start with. Is there a chart method used for each line size within a range between different line sizes.

Example: If I plan on using say a 10lb test line what size guide should I start with.

Well this is the first of many questions to come. Getting excited about building my first rod.

I also want to thank all the sponors for sponoring this form.

Happy Fishing

No charts, it depends on line size, etc. The first guide is on the reel, kind of give you an idea of where to start. You learn huge amounts by reading prior posts and getting some back issues of RodMaker magazine. Than you can just take a day to play with guides and a blank of your choice and you'll soon get a feel for what gives you a lighter, better rod. You just tape guides on a go out in the yard and test cast till you get a feel for it.

Depends on the setup, line size, height and width of the spool. But, as a rule always use the smallest guide that will do the job.

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

Patrick,

For bass rods I generally use:

Spinning: 25-12-8-sz 6 flys the rest of the way

Casting: 8-6-6 (all two footed)- then sz 6 flys the rest of the way.

The only guides here that may change are the very 1st guide from the reel out. In spinning I may go to a 30 IF the reel being used has a large spool. Generally you want the 1st spinning guide to be about 1/2 the size of the reels spool. In casting I may go to a larger/higher sitting 1st guide if the reel itself sits really high on the blank.

There is not much change from those numbers above on most my bass rods, and that should give you somewhere to start from. I use those 95% of the time for BASS rods.

DR

Now here's something to confuse you:

For Spinning rods we generally don't go below a 30MM stripper, more likely a 40mm or if it's a surf rod.. For a casting rod, we start with a 25mmor 20mm, sometimes a 30mm. Depends on the reel, the rod length and action, and a whole bunch of similar stuff.

PLEASE don't get bogged down in formulas. Take all the layout formulas as suggestions, or starting points, and build a few rods and refine your layouts each time to maximize your casting distance as well as your ability to hook and fight fish. Read lots of books, starting with Clemens. Read Tom's book - it's a steal at the price and a great "quick reference". Never mind fancy wraps and such - build your first rods for fishing, not for show.

Mess with it. Hopefully you'll get hooked on this just as surely as you'll hook some fish.

Uncle Russ
Calico Crfeek Rods

Thanks for all the input and advice.

Happy Fishing