Ok I've read about 300 pages and I think I know about the weight/durability comparisons of these two guides. What I would like to hear is does the slicker surface of the Sic make for longer casts? I'm looking to make a long range panfish spinning rod out of a st croix SCV 6'6" blank . Weight is a issue for me but if the Recoils cost a couple of feet on the cast ,all things being equal,I'll go with the heavier Fuji Titanium Sic. Thanks and love the board. Billy Russell



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2009 12:03AM by Billy Russell.

"Slicker" has nothing to do with casting distance. But - heavier guides (ceramics) will encumber the blank and probably cost you distance.
Herb

Proper placement of the guides will probably have a bigger impact on distance than guide type, provided that you use the smallest size of either type appropriate for the end use and the minimum number needed. This is assuming the chosen blank has the proper casting weight range and appropriate line size is used.

Chris

Billy,

The Fuji LSG3.5 weighs .042 grams compared to the Recoil RSPG6’s .070 grams.

You won't see any distance increase due to a slicker guide ring surface between the two. There isn't enough pressure between the line and the ring surface to cause any major friction.

If we're talking about guides that weigh roughly the same thing, and at least a reasonably smooth surface on one set of guides, having a much slicker or smoother surface on the other is not going to result in any measurable increase in casting distance.

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

Billy,
Guide size and spacing has much more to do with casting distance than any other variable - including type of guide construction.
Roger

It may be a figment of my imagination (but maybe not), but it seems like the rods that I build using single foot ceramic guides (AmTac Titan) cast better than ones using snake guides. The line seems to flow more smoothly.

Jim

Stonefly Custom Fly Rods
20 Vaquero Rd
Santa Fe NM 87508

www.stoneflyrods.com

Jim,

I assume you are talking about fly rods? I wonder if the difference in fly versus mono line means that your observation may not apply to a spin rod...

Roger,

How does guide SIZE affect casting distance? If the weight is equal, are you saying that a larger or smaller ring will cast further? Thanks.

Mo

Jim,

If you did some actual tests, making hundreds of casts on the same blank for equal comparison, you are apt to find that there isn't any distance difference between similar sets up of ceramic versus snake guides. However, the ceramics will pay out line under pressure more smoothly, and the casts will be quieter. You'll also find your line lasts longer on the ceramic guided rod. But I've always been careful not to use casting distance as a selling point for ceramics. Any difference between guide sets of similar weight is miniscule.

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

I would THINK that the smaller the guide, the more the line is kept under control and less oscillation/spiraling that the line will do, thus possibly increasing distance. Another reason to use as few different guide sizes as possible to choke the line down as quick as possible. The smaller the guide that will do the job will also reduce weight. Don't assume that ceramics are heavier than wire, that is not always the case.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2009 02:53PM by Mike Barkley.

Yes I was talking about fly rods, and I also said that it may be a figment of my imagination. I don't pay much attention to distance, as the farther away you are from a fish the less control you have over the line, lure, and fish. In almost all fresh water fly fishing if you can cast 30 ft you're all set. My first post said that the line seems to flow more smoothly, which is important to me.

Jim

Stonefly Custom Fly Rods
20 Vaquero Rd
Santa Fe NM 87508

www.stoneflyrods.com

off topic but trying different line types will do more for distance that any guide will ever do. If I had guess I would say there might be a 50% increase from the worst to the best especially with very light lures.