Assuming guide height is what it needs to be, does anybody use a BYAG16 or even a 12 for a first guide. I'm using a Shimano 750 symetre and a soft 4lb mono. I might occassionally use a 6lb line butt I'm more conerned to push the envelope with light line performance. Running guides will by BLAG4s.

If you don't want to cast, use size 6's or 5's or 3's for all of your guides.

If you want good distance casting - go larger.

If in doubt - start with a size 30 for the first guide - test cast.
Then go to a size 25 - test cast,
Continue on down until you find that the guide size is beginnning to impact your distance for casting, or your reel - guide drag during retreive.

I would personally go no smaller than a size 20 - but that is this persons opinion only.

p.s.
If you are only lindy rigging or doing applications which mean that the line is simply spooled over the side of the boat, you can run small guides all of the way from the reel to the tip. Not a terribly versitle rod in my opinion, but to each his own.


Take care
Roger

I like to have the line go --thought -- the ring -- instead of on top of it. That is just me. So if you want to experiment try the ( M ) guides. Higher and with a smaller ring size.

Bill - willierods.com

Marty,

I've messed with a lot of rods for 750's using the NGC and always end up going back to a BYAG20 for the stripper. If you want to email me, I'll dig one out and give you the set-up that's worked well for me.

Mark Griffin
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C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

Provided you have the height needed, a size 20 is more than plenty. A 16 could easily work, but it will help if you can get one that's very high.

...............

Given the feedback I'm getting, and the more I think about it, the 16 is probably not worth it for such a small weight savings so far down on the rod. I will probably stick with my standard BYAG20, 10; BLAG4s out to the end. If I knew I would never use anything other than tiny braid then maybe I would go smaller, but I like being able to use mono if I want to.

Hey Marty - don't give up so quick!!! I have built a lot of these rods with M style 12's - you'll love it!

Marc, same here I'm building a couple with Batson M style 10's. We will see how they cast in a couple of days.

Marty,
I just spent the day fishing 4lb mono on a 7' Lamiglas, with Alps XY 12, 7, then Batson size 4 micros and size 4 tip, worked excellent, casts great.
Tom White

Tom White
Rod & Reel Restoration

Marty,

I've built alot of rods on that format. For most of them I have used a 20-16-10-8-7-6-6or smaller on 7-7.5 ft ultralight rods. I am preparing to build a 7.5 ft spinning rod going down to 4mm guides. I expect to eliminate either ther 8 or 7 and one of the 6's. Basically I agree with what Mark Griffin and Tom have said. After what I heard in High Point, micro with 4-6 lb line, is the way to go! (My hands are too big to deal with 3 mm guides)

Ed Smith
Flat Rock, NC