I've done a lot of modifying and repair on spinning rods but now I'm about to do my first complete build of one. The blank is a St croix 3s70mf and will be used mostly for shakey head, drop shot and weightless senko's. I know you are supposed to measure the spool of the reel to figure the first guide and I have the reel but I'm not exactly sure where to measure. Do you measure the bed of the spool or the outside edge at it's widest point? From there any other guide size recomdations would be greatly appreciated. He has made it clear to only use batson h rings or fugi alconite guides.

David Page
E-town, KY.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2008 04:19PM by David Page.

Measure the diameter of the spool lip in milimeters. The stripper, or first guide should be approximately 1/2 of that diameter. Read the guidelines in the library section about the new guide concept for further instructions on guide sizes and selections. The new guide concept is a very effective way to set up a spinning rod for maximum performance. Good luck and post any further questions on this board for help. Greg

I realize that the new concept method is the appropriate way to set guide size and spacing. The problem that I have is that I'm just hobbyist and I don't have $300 worth of spinning guides laying around to select the perfect guide. I'm basically just looking for a good starting place so I don't wind up having to buy 3 sets of guides to get the 1 set that is exactly right if that makes sense. I realize that the position that I'm in means that I'm probably going to wind up with a few extra guides that weren't right and I'm trying to limit that number as much as possible. Anyway I was hoping that someone would have some suggestions to at least get a good starting point. The spool is 41mm so I'm assuming that would mean a #20 guide would be the butt guide.

David Page
E-town, KY.

Personally, I would start with something like a 20 or 25, a 10 and #6 fly type (BLAG) the rest of the way

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!!

You can build with the new micro guides if you would like. Start with size BLAG 10 set 18- 20 inches from top off spinning reel the a BLAG 8 and BLAJ 4 the rest of the way. I built a one like this on the same blank you are using.