Tom,

I have referred numerous times through the years to your "Smallmouth Rod" article using the SJ700 blank. I am currently working on a rod very similar and was wondering if you could tell me the distance from spool face to butt guide on both your 6lb (using Y20 guide) and 8lb (using Y25 guide) versions. I am curious to see if it will be similar to something I am doing. Thanks.

MM

Unless you're using the same reel that I am, those distances won't be the same. Nor should they be.

But, in my own case, with the Quantum Kinetic 1000, the 20 is set at about 19-3/4 inches.

If your reel has a larger spool than this particular 1000, you will probably need to move to the 25 guide to get the height for the best line path and still stay in the 19 to 21 inch range.

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My Shimano Symetre 2000 has a spool diameter of ~41mm. I assume the Kinetic 1000 is a bit smaller?

35mm, and probably a shorter reel stem than your 2000.

If you try a 20 just plot it on the straight line path but it will probably require that you move it up a bit. If you have to go too far, I'd fall back on the 25 just for the additional height.

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Your a machine Tom. I knew you would know that off the top of your head. I'm pursuing these questions because I am wanting to keep the guides on this rod as light as possible, and while I may fish it with something as stiff as 8lb Trilene XL, I will probably more often go with 6lb mono or with 10lb braid. If I go with the BYAG20 and pull the choke guide back to create a straight line path that way, which will mean a choker distance of less than 26 as oppose to the 27x rule, do you think I'll be looking at a decrease in distance? Worse case, will 8lb mono with a 20 guide and 25x choker distance be that bad?

Weight savings can be important, but you have to be reasonable about such things. Using a 25 instead of a 20 isn't going to add any appreciable weight in a location that is going to cost you much of anything. Such tiny weight increases on the lowest 1/3rd of the rod are molehills, not mountains.

The rest of your question can only be answered by trying it. Tape up a set and go cast it a couple dozen times. Then tape up another set and cast another couple dozen times. You'll know which set up is going to work best for you once you do that.

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Thanks Tom.

marty
here is a site to check guide weight: [rodcomponents.hostrator.com]

Bill - willierods.com

MM,
Most of my spinning rods have the first guide at a spacing of about 16 to 25 inches, depending on the overall length of the rod etc.

My first starting point for most rods is about 20 inches. I may tweak the guide up or down a bit from there.

Take care
Roger

I would think the butt guide location would have everything to do with the reel and line sizes and nothing to do with rod length.