So that I can eat my words. I finally broke down and decided that before I could "be right" one way or the other on micro guides, I needed to build one. I wrapped the guides last night and will put the finish on it probably one day next week. The dang thing casts like a rifle, I've never cast a 1/4 oz spoon that far at least 25 yards further w/ 8# Sufix braid and a Shimano Stradic 3000.
I built it on a Lamiglas IP 843 using American Tackle halide guides (10,8,6, and a bunch of 3s) and split grips. I tend to use a long leader so I don't have to retie leaders on the water and change lures frequently, I used a small tip top instead of a fly guide.
I know I'm going against the grain but I'm goin gto marble the area between the rear grips to add a little eye appeal and go get me some gator trout.

To all the MM guys out there, thanks for the posts and getting me started on this.

I'm starting my first micro build this week, and I can't wait to she how this rod will preform. When my 3.5's were delivered yesterday and my mouth dropped when I saw the size of those babies! I have to admit those guy's look a little intimidating at first sight. I'm literally foaming at the mouth to get this rod on the water!!!

Stu,
They fraked me out a little as well. But they weren't actually that hard to wrap, just a royal pain in the neck to sight and make sure they were lined up right.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2009 11:20AM by Bobby Feazel.

I'm glad to see you guys pushing us forward with the spinning rod applications. I never build them, but I'm going to have to try one with micros just to see how they perform. If you think they are a pain to line up on your 843, try lining them up on an 8 foot crankbait rod with 10 of those little babies, what a PITA.

Do you have a pic? I've been debating using them as well. I fish for specks and red with 6'6 st, croix that I built with regular guides and a 2500 stradic with braid. I can't imagine a rod that would cast better than what I have. What is the benefit of the micro guide over the regular guides, and why does it cast further? Really want to learn the difference as I have a few buddies I need to out cast!

Craig,
I don't have any pics yet but I'll try to when I get time (I've got 2 rods on the dryer now, 2 more waiting and some more stuff will be delivered today to be ready by March 7th)
I guess one benefit with the micros is how freaking light it is, I sight cast redfish and trout primarily but when I can't do that I blind cast ALOT using big top waters, 6"-7" weedless jerk baits and plugs and after a hard day of fishing I'm tired. I don't know where you fish but in the FL Big Bend if ain't 7' or better you're really missing out, as a general rule. If you like the 6-6 you'll love a 7, in my opinion and yes I know what opinions are like.
My estimation on it casting further would be, and I have no way of proving other than it sounds right, is that it is "gathering the line sooner and "shooting" it down through the guides. Now again, this is only how I've explained it to myself and I'm convienced.

Matthew - what reel and brand/model of butt guide?

Think about moving up to an eight foot blank and you can fish Florida, Alabama and Louisiana waters from the same spot!

I think Matthew is correct when he said ," gathering the line sooner and shooting it down through the guides". I also think the lighter guides lets the rod load more naturally which requires less effort to make the cast . I got one in the hands of a Bass fisherman on Kentucky Lake that fishes a lot of tournaments. It was a Castaway 842 with 4 " cut off the butt for side-arming small jerk baits on 8lb mono. He said , and I quote. "It is the best rod that has ever been in that 21 ft Stratos,,, Fantastic " ! He said , "It will cast about 1/2 mile then throw rocks for ten minutes".
I thought he described it very well.

Bill,
The reel is a Shimano Stradic 3000. I honestly don't remember what model the butt guide is but I'll look when I get home. They're American Tackle guides.
I thought about an 8' but she wouldn't fit too well in the rod box, maybe 7'-6". Are there any good bars (of any sort) in your neck of the woods?

Crag;
"I can't imagine a rod that would cast better than what I have. What is the benefit of the micro guide over the regular guides, and why does it cast further?"

Ask that question again on Monday after the Expo and a lot of people will chime up with the answers!

Steve, I'm hoping to remember to bring down my spinning rod, and I'm looking foward to comparing it to how you've got yours set up. Mine's a bit long for FW boat guys at 8'2, but it's so light and balanced you dont' feel the additional length until you cast teh lure out of sight.

Steve, I will be at the EXPO. I will that question there. Thanks for the explanation. The loading and shooting makes since. I guess I've just always thought that bigger holes equal better distance and less resistance. Come to think of it, most high end production rods have smaller and smaller guides each year. I know Shimano has one called a cumara and the guides on it are little. Not sure if they are micro or not.

The guides we are talking about make the ones on the Cumara look like they were designed to pass rope instead of fishing line.

There is gonna be fun fun fun in High Point playing with the little ones!

Three times this weekend - tournament fisherman knocking on the door

"I have come to see those funny looking rods they told me you have with the little guides"

Hand one over and ask "Do you think that will work?

"Absolutely not?"

Could you tell me why not?

"That 50 # braid will not go through those tiny little guides!"

Chunk it!

and the next thing you hear is

H _ _ Y S _ _ T!

The Swampland Trailer is leaving tomorrow - do not forget to log the licence plate if you see it on the way and claim your prize!

Holy SH . . . well I got some research to do then. I've always like a good long cast. Boat don't spook the fish and such with the ability to bomb it out there. One more question. I like to use a 2' foot piece of 14lb flouro leader. I use a uni to uni connection. 7 turns to the braid side and 4 turns to the mono side. Will that knot fit through the guides?

Craig

You would have to tie a very sloppy knot for it not to pass thru 3.5's. I have no issues with 14# leaders even with ones long enough to get the knot on the spool.