I just got finished test casting a 6'6" sc3 med fast spinning rod, It seemed as though i had alot of line slap, it was very noisy. the guide setup that i was testing is as follows from butt 10 8 6 4 4 4 4 4 4 4tip, spacing from tip 3", 6 7/16, 10 5/16, 14 5/8, 19 5/16, 241/2, 30 1/8, 36 1/8, 42 5/8, 49 1/2, that put my butt guide 16 1/2" off the lip of the spool, the spool has a 2" diameter if that helps. This is the setup that i was sold, and dont have any other guides to switch out and test so if anyone has any suggestions of what i might do different i will get them ordered asap. This is the first rod that i am building, and have 4 more here after this one, this is so ADDICTING!
Hope you can help, thanks in advance
chris sadler

That sounds like a casting rod guide set up.

Read the New Guide Concept article in the library (Volume 10 #4 RodMaker is even better) and see how it matches to what you have there.

You can do much better but you need a little background information before we continue this.

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Chris, that size 10 sounds awfully small-which probably makes it very short as well. Sounds like a setup that might have been recommended for a casting rod instead of a spinning rod. A size 20 may have been a better place to start, and then depending on line size/type you may have had to go up or down 1 size from there to get good casting results. Are you getting any distance with that setup?

Chris

im getting about 100' with a 3/16 rigged senko and the guides are single foot alconite as well so they are very short

Tom
i read the article and then i laid the rod against the table edge and the intersection point is 3" from the tip. My butt guide if i went with the 17"-23" range i would have 2 1/4"-2 1/2" from bottom of blank to table edge, am i on the right track?
thanks
chris sadler

Chris, I am in agreement with tom and chris...you say spinning rod but looks to me from your post that you were sent casting guides...I assume from a kit..so I'd talk to your supplier and get it straightened out...then we'll be more than happy to get you on the right track.


Dave

If you use the older method with the table edge, the intersection point where be where it will be. It is correct for that method. Now with that method I see no way that a size 10 butt guide is going to work at 16 inches from the spool face. It wouldn't be anywhere near the plotted line path. You would have to use a size 20 or 25 to match the 2 to 2-1/2 inches you mention.

You have the right idea, but I don't think you have the right guides. Understand that what you were sent will work (almost anything will work) but with the right guides things will work much better.

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I have built some spinning rods with micros with a 16, 10, 8 and 12, 8, 6 prior to runner micros but the guide frames have been super tall TATSG, REC or BYAG spinning - the rods work quite well - I have not use a 10 ring for the butt guide as yet -

If they are indeed single foot Alconites then you are definitely missing a guide. The butt guide, which in your case could be either a 25 or a 20. When you say single foot, are they single foot Y frames (BYAG) or single foot fly frames (BLAG)?

Try BYAG 20, 12, 8L, then your size 4's out to the tip.
If you have BYAG 10, then use that instead of the 12: all you may need is the 20, and maybe change the BYAG 8L to a BLAG 8, but I'd order a 25, 20, 16, 12 to play around with also. It may seem a waste of money, but extra guides build up and sooner or later you'll have a very useful collection for further research and repairs.

As an addition, buy a full set of the same height frames in a cheaper frame finish/ring material combination, like Fuji's O-ring or Hardloy concept frames (BYOG and BYLG, corresponding fly guides are BOG and BLG). That way you can mock up a setup and know exactly which guides you'll need. Tests cast, load test etc. You'll also get a better mental picture of which guides give a good guide train at common spacings. Then select the guides you are going to put on the rod, prep them wrap and finish.

I've built basically the same rod with the same guides and it performs well for me. The 10 guide looks weird but I've been happy with it.

If you are throwing a 3/16 Senko that far all I can say is have fun and congrats!

You should take a look at the ( M ) guides since your butt guide is that small. These are higher and may work even better ?

Bill - willierods.com

Ted they are single foot fly guides, Is anyone going to tennessee in may, I might be able to pick up what i need there. Bill do u really think throwing a senko 100' is impressive?
thanks chris

OK, if they are all BLAG's then to get good frame height you'll need the BYAG's, or you can try the M frames for height and small ring size. The height is important to reduce line slap and create a smooth line of flow from the rel spool to the choke guide.

Try out BYAG 16 and 10 ahead of the current 8. Take out the BLAG 10. Sounds like you are seeing the benefits of reducing the guide train size if you can get a Senko to 100' using just fly guides. That's good distance, 'cos althouh they are pretty heavy, they aren't the most aerodynamic lure.