I just bought a couple of Batson's XST blanks for steelhead fishing. This is my first attempt at a casting rod, but I have a bunch of fly rods under my belt. I always build on the straight and not worry about the spine. The question I have is, do I place the guides on the inside curve or the outside curve of the blank. Appreciate any advice from you guys.
Thanks, Dave

Dave,
Just finished an XST1084F casting rod done as a spiral wrap. I would suggest putting the guides on the outside curve for a conventional wrap, and on the inside curve (on the tip end) for a spiral. You're going to like these blanks!
Tom White

Thanks Tom. I'm a conventional type of guy. I've read a lot about the spiral wraps, but I'm going to leave it for you adventurous types. ;<) They are absolutely beautiful blanks. I bought mine from Schneiders Rod Shop. Great prices on Batson/Forecast products.
Dave

Dave be very careful in selecting the exact guides you intend to place on top of that blank. The blank is very fast and the use of some low profile single foot guides, such as the Fuji Alconite, will require an excessive number due to their short frame height.

Bill,
I bought the Batson LTCUDUG guides. What others do you recommend?
Dave

LTCFUG06 guides up on the entire tip section will drop your tip weight quite a bit due the less guide, thread, finish up there.

That's what I bought for the tip section. I kept them to six, seven, eight, and the last is either a ten or twelve.

Sounds like you've got it covered, I like spiral wraps as I can space the guides more like the fly rods you're used to and not because the line/guide height is becoming an issue like a top guided rod.

The LTCUDUG and LTCFUG guide set up is very nice and was my go to set up. Here is another one that I have been using as of late with great success.

Rod Blank Model # XST1084
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RG14A-350
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GTBTG16C-11.5-TC
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: WFG2.5 , WFGFC , WFGRC ,WFGPB
Winding Check: BWC10
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top XTCPPZT06R05.0
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG07
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG08
7th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG08
8th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
9th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG10
10th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG12
11th guide from tip top:
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 3.75-7.75-12.25-17.25-23.5-31-39-48-58.5-70.5

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

I'm sorta surprised that Karry made no mention of the ALPS guides. Light weight, SS316 and beautiful shape.

Karry, I know my brother is going to want the 8'6" one when I'm finished. I'm going to buy another 8'6" blank and I'll put one together by your specs.
That'll give me an 8'6" and a 9' 8-12lb to use on the Smith R. next year. I want to give those G.Loomis guys I fish with, a run for their money.
Dave