I am new to rod building. I think it is a very good hobby to get into. There are so many nice people that are willing to share their knowledge with beginners. I thank all of you for helping me advance in this fine art. But now to my question. I am building a Batson Rainshadow 6' 4 pc. one of them little pack rods. And i was thinking to keep the amount of space that the rod will take up, i would use double toe guides. This will just be used as a rod once in a while to catch little fish in streams and small ponds, and what not. i was wondering if this would be a good idea or if i should stick with the normal single foot. thank you in advance for your help.

There is no reason to use double foot guides on a rod like that. If it's a spinning rod, I would suggest using the New Guide Concept method outlined in the Library at the top of this page. Personally, I would use something like a #25, a #8 SF and the rest no bigger than #6 ceramic fly type guides the rest of the way. The key for best performance/sensitivity is light, light, light!!!

Sounds like a fun set up! Go for it and keep us posted

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Single foot guides are lighter, if weight is an issue for you. But we've been using wire guides for our pond rods, with great success. We use a large stripper in a double-braced style, and the rest are unbraced, which are lighter and a bit more flexible. These are all double foot but they weigh measurable less that the ceramic guides.

If you want to discuss it in more detail just contact me directly by email.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

i am not so worried about weight, as durability, and price. i need this to be able to take some abuse without much harm. and i am trying to keep the price as low as i can and still put quality parts on it. i was also thinking double toe guides sit lower to the pole, allowing the size of case to stay down. i acually thought of putting Batsons "F" series guides on it, the ceramic fly guides, but i don't know if they would put the line to close to the pole.

Could I possibly use a DT stripper? i just don't like the height of ST butt guides, it may just be me but they i think DT sit closer to the blank and that is what i want.

I have two of those pack rods built with Fuji Alconite SF guides and I can assure you that they are plenty durable. They have been ALL over the country and fought plenty of fish. Don't sweat the small stuff. A #20 butt guide and #5 running guides will work fabulously on that blank.

On very high guides you may be better off with a double foot model to gain that added durability. But once you get down to the running guides, I'd go ahead with fly type single foots. I've made many heavy saltwater spinning rods this way and they work great.

If you can exercise just a little care - you could certainly go with all single foot guides. In fact, when you come right down to it, they're more durable than you blank is going to be.

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

SO if i went with a #20 stripper guide, how many transition guides, and total guides, and what sizes, and i think i am going to go with a DT stripper guide and ST ceramic fly guides. i am asking becuase i am new to this art, and this is going to be my first build without a kit. I am really excited to do this build, I even want to turn my own grip, but i am trying to keep the cost down. how long of butt grip and foregrip do you think would be good.

I am sorry if this is to many questions but i want a good rod, and i am hoping if i get some hints, it can help ease the learning curve.

I am not as knowledgeable as the other guys here. I think Rainshadow means a fly rod blank. Not sure if they use that name in both spinning an fly rods. But....from what you stated you want a small package rod. You could get an 8" straight cork handle with slip rings from Jann's Netcraft. With slip rings you could either mount a fly reel on it and fish, or a spinning rod that mounts on bottom...like an open face......and fish the same rod as a spinning rod. You could put Fuji Alconite #6 single foot guides....all the way. No stripper guide.....I don't think you need one on a rod that small. And the same single foot guide for the tip top. No tubular tip top. EVERY guide a #6 Fuji. Hmmmm....I'll have to try that.
Jim

Drew,

I think that you're confusing people. First what kind of rod are you building, spinning, casting or fly?? A "transition" guide is ONLY used on some types of spiral wrapped casting rods (NOT the Simple Spiral). Your answers DEPEND on that information and will be completely different depending on the type of rod.

What is the model number of the blank that you have? The smallest 4 pc blank that I see on the Batson site is a 6'6" Forecast FLY blank.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Drew said he has a 6'0" 4-piece pack rod. Unless I am mistaken, there is only one ... the SB720-4.

I see it now! If it's casting, I would use a 12 and then fly type 6's all the way out. Spinning I would go 20SF, 10 SF and fly type 6's all the way out

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Depending on how small a reel you are putting on it, either a 20, 12, 8L, or 16, 10, 8L and then 5's out to the tip.

The easiest thing to do is just get in touch with Batson. They will hook you up with every thing you need after telling them what you want to build. Good stuff !!

The easiest thing to do is just get in touch with Batson. They will hook you up with every thing you need after telling them what you want to build. Good stuff !! Also for single foot guides learn the Forhan Wrap. They will not come loose.

Could i go #20 DT, #12 DT #8 ST ceramic fly, then 3 #6's ceramic fly, (or more depending in the static testing)? this will be a spinning rod, just to clarify. I will use a Forhan Locking wrap, i do it on all my ST after learning about it. Would that be able to handle most small to medium reels? I don't have the reel that will be used for it.

IMO, the DF guides are not the correct application for that blank. I have two of those rods that go on all my long distance trips ... both built with SF guides - BYAG20J, BYAG12J, BYAG8LJ, BLAG6's to the top. Build them as light as possible, those blanks are fun if you do.

So if I went #20 SF, #12 SF, #8 ceramic fly, and then the rest #6 ceramic fly, do you think that would work or should i do all one type of guide? would regular spinning guides then ceramic fly guides look odd and out of place?

Here's the exact part #'s I used ... BYAG20J, BYAG12J, BYAG8LJ, BLAG6, BFAT6(4.5). They will match perfectly and perform wonderfully. I only use Fuji guides and these part numbers are for Fuji Alconite with Black Frames. I am sure that if you want to use another manufacturer - someone can help you with the exact numbers.

I myself never liked the Alconites only because the ring set very close to the blank. I always liked the batson guides because they have a nice little bend that put the ring some what highter then the alconites. Less rubbing , less friction, faster casts.