I've been thinking about building a micro guide musky rod. I am a little bit leary of the strength of the micro guides, mostly the tip because i will have to tie on a fly guide for the tip? Has anyone built one like this and how does it work?

hey jason,

don't be worried about the strength of micro guides they preform very well, and will suit you needs fine. Your tip will, however, depends on the line you use. if you use mono line 17lbs or above do not use a micro tip. use a size 5 tip. Ithe line will hang up (found out the hard way) they make micro tips in 3.5 or 4, not sure, with a barrel size of 5.5 and less, but thy are unsupported, talk to the swampland boyz about that, they will know. if your barrel is larger than 5.5 and you are still worried i would ask the assistance of my good friend "gorilla glue"! If the barrel dia is the issue i am sure someone will chime in to assist you, they has to be one out there to suit your needs. i also think there is a supported micro tip out there, right??!

Happy fishing!!
goin' costal in 2 days!!!!

One 65# blue cat boated the other day while fishing a bass tournament. No issues with the micro guides.

If your blank tip is larger than 5.5 or 6 I would bite the bullet and use a tip that you would normally use on that particular blank. It'll look a little odd but it will certainly be serviceable.

Strength of micro guides, this is something I've been explaining to people at NERBs gatherings for a year now - take a paper clip and bend it. Really easy to do, right? Now take a pair of snips, and cut the paper clip to a length of 1/4". Now try to bend it - almost impossible

the tip size is the problem, I believe it is 9. I will be using 50-80 lb. braided line. I may just have to go with a regular tip.

Billy, bending shouldn't be a problem for The HNIC. Just be sure wear the cape & hat!
Jeff

Jason;
use the same size tip you would normally use. You might try and Alps tip, the frame design has a smaller profile and looks better with the Micro's at least thats my opinion

Same with the Alconite tops. the frame is a but smaller and looks good w/ the micro's also.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

I'm not sure I get this micro frenzy. Building a rod for a fish that hits like snagging your lure on a passing pickup truck and considering micros? Need to have the max sensitivity? Rather than a reasonably sized guide that could take big knots without protesting? Like maybe one of those really heavy #6's? What am I missing?