Hello All,
I would like to ask for some help.
A budy of mine wants a spinning rod and I have never built one. Based on some info that he has provided, I am going to go with an IP840. I 'think' he'd like an nps seat. I'm planning on building a split grip with no fore grip and the seat up-locking. I got that idea from a post by Bill Stevens.
He is not sure which reel he will be putting on it, but he will be using 4lb test, so it would be fairly small.

What i need is some suggestions on guides. I plan on using size 3 micros for the running guides (and also the intersect guide if I'm reading the NGC primer correctly). I know that I should have everything set up and let this dictate my guide selection. However, I'm on a limited budget and I won't be building many spinning rods. Any extra guides that I buy will probably just collect dust. I was looking at Batson's "match" spinning guides. I think that the light line and small reel will let me get away with a smaller ring and these guides will get me the height I need.
Would I be safe getting a 16, a 12, a 10 and an 8? This should give me enough to work with right?

Any other suggestions would be great as well. Thanks all.
Steven

I wouldn't assume that the reel is small. He could be using a larger reel, spooled with lighter line. Eventually, you will need his reel so that you can place your guides. I would add a 20 to your list, even though you probably won't use it. It's only a couple more dollars. If you do end up needing it later, you'll spend that plus shipping. Also, having that extra guide will allow you to experiment with a few more different set-ups to see which one casts best.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/2008 03:00AM by George Forster.

Hi Steven,
You may what to give this set up some thought...go with VS3 guides in a 20-12-08-06 then run 4 #06 fly guide to the end...so 8 guides total and tip...I use this set up alot ...give me a call and we can talk...I have all components you need in stock.

Bill@midwestrodandreel.com
www.midwestrodandreel.com

Dang Bill, night owl like me? Actually I'm pullin a couple of night shifts at work this weekend here in the Port of Los Angeles. I just placed an order before seeing your post. I took George's advice and got a 20, 16, 12, 10, 8 to experiment then 5's flys the rest of the way out. I actually looked at the VS3s but for some reason stuck with the 'match' guides. Being my first spinning rod build, I'll probably take you up on the phone call regarding the NGC. Thanks for the reamer by the way.
Have a good one,
Steven

Stephen-
It would be best to have your friend decide (and purchase if necessary) what size reel he intends to use. I agree with you that it is likely that he has a small reel in mind based on line test you mentioned. Reels designed for larger lines have drag systems designed for larger lines and usually don't work well with small line. You know him well enough to determine whether he may need help with the choice. Knowledge of target species is a factor in choice of reel. Until that is decided you may be shooting in the dark as to guide size choices. The spool size will give you an idea of which stripper to use. You did not mention the rod's length-if it is to be shorter than 6' then one of the larger guides you mentioned is more likely to become the dust collector-testing will reveal which one. An extra running guide may be necessary if you eliminate one of the larger sizes. Keep in mind that guide height will change with ring size and can influence size choice as well.

Doesn't sound like passing knots through the guides or tip is going to be a problem with your choice of 3s as running guides so I would recommend using a tip with the smallest available ring size to lessen weight at that point. In the end it is better to have a couple of dust collectors than have a rod that doesn't perform well.

Chris

Stephen-I'm a Stevedore in the port of Charleston



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/2008 08:03AM by Chris Davis.

edit first built



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/2008 10:41AM by Bill Stevens.