I did a search and didn't find an answer so I am asking for help
I have built 5 rods 6' to 6-3". I have used the concept system for all.
The reel diameter is 4.2 mm. Use the 27x method for the stripper guide.
My question is this: Should the butt guide be a 25 or a 30?
I have used the 25 and feel like i might get more casting distance from the 30 size.
Anybody have any advise/experience to share.

Much appreciated

Doug Hart

You really shouldn't need a 30, assuming this is a freshwater spinning rod. Those big rings are heavy, and add unnecessary weight, and will not improve casting at all. I would actually suggest a smaller ring on a higher frame, like the Pac Bay M style in a 20 or even 16 ring. You'll feel the weight difference, and casting is just as good if not better.


Good Luck,
Marc

Doug,
They way that I understand the concept system to work is that you want to have a butt guide that is approximately half the diameter of the spool. I.E. 45 mm spool I would go with a 25, the other thing you will want to consider is going to be line size. If you are going to be using something around the area of 6lb, I wouldn't think that you would really need a 25.... if you have the article you can set it up as per the instructions... they are pretty clear and simple but if you hit a snag drop a line.

thanks
Tom Kaufmann
GySgt USMC

I'm assuming the 4.3mm was a typo and you meant 42 mm. half of that would be 21mm so I would go with a size 20 or maybr 25 butt guide. I believe that the 27x refers to the "choke" guide placement, not the butt guide

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!!

Doug,
Depending on your application, you can use a 20,25,30,35 or even a 40.
Use the one that simply works best for your application.
The placement of the larger guide is such that it really has very little effect on the overall feel and balance of the rods.

I have had several clients with whom I worked very closely. They both did a lot of casting - throwing large spoons, with heavy braided line.

In doing some testing and esperminting, we found the following.
By adjusting the size and position of the first guide - when reeling up the lure with no bend in the blank, - the size 30 guide was the best overall match to the rod and its potential application.
The thing that we found was that by using the size 30 guide on a steady retreive, with the typical 2500 or 3000 sized reel - the path of the line was such that as the line was retreived due to the rotation of the spool - that the line lightly touched the size 30 guide all around all of the circumference of the guide. i.e. the least amount of drag.

However, if the first guide was reduced to a size 25 or size 20 - it didn't matter where the guide was positioned, the line never followed around all of the circumference of the guide. The smaller guide always caused the line to "drag" through the guide at some point during the retreive of the lure. Thus, when either casting or retreiving, the smaller guide caused line drag, noise, and less distance, and a harder retreive for the heavy lures.

However, for clients using small lures, jigs, or for those using light line and or light mono line, or for those not doing casting, but just vertical jigging, the use of the 20 or 25 sized first guide works just fine and is preferred by many clients.

So, consider the use, the weight of the lures, the lb test of line, and whether the line is mono or braided line - before deciding on the size of the guide.

Take care
Roger

Thanks for the replies Gentleman. This confirms what i thought that 25 is probably the right choice. Just wondered if the larger butt guide would allow the line to flow easier through the first guide on the cast. Guess that defeats the purpose of the concept system as I understand it.

Corrections
27X to Choke guide
42mm

Thanks again

Doug

The 27X factor, is for the choker guide, not the butt or stripping guide. You may wish to reread the article.

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I know Tom, That was a mistake in my original post.

No problem, just wanted to make sure you had it right. At 27x, the butt guide would end up much too far from the reel.

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