On a spinning rod used for inshore reds and specks, do I need saltwater resistant guides if he's only using it for one week per year? The rest of the time he'd be using it for bass or pike in freshwater. Can he just wash them off good? Thanks for the help, I'm not familiar with saltwater rigors or requirements. Are there any guides that do double duty well but aren't heavy (weight)?

Thank you!

Marc

If he does remember to wash and rinse them very well after each and every time he uses the rod in saltwater, then no, you don't need totally corrosion resistant guides. But I would make sure the customer understands that failure to take care of them after each and every use in salt or brackish water will result in trouble down the road.

Another good reason to prepare and supply a "rod owner's manual" with each new rod.

...........

I fish in saltwater mostly but I do take care of my equipment. I have rods that I built in the 70's that I have yet to replace the guides. However, I have had to replace guides on some of my kids rods. I take that back; I had to replace some Fuji gold guides that I used when Fuji first started selling them. No matter how well I took care of those rods, the guides did rust. I use mostly Fuji alconite guides on my rods and have not had any problem with that type of guides.

I build ONLY inshore spinning rods for the public. No problems with "normal" guides, just be sure to school them on rinsing and repeating. Of course, titanium or titanium plated guides are preferable ... but not necessary by any means. My most popular guide is a Fuji Alconite with Black Chrome frames. Just don't use ANYTHING with gold or colored plating ... reel seats, guides, winding checks, etc. Keep it simple and you will be just fine.

After fishing in salt water I clean my rods with soap and hot water. I wipe down the blank section with a rag. For the guides and reel seats I scrub with a tooth brush and then hose them down with fresh water. I have rods that are over 20 years old and still look good.
Bill (Reno, NV)

As always, great info. Thanks to all,
Marc

It seems to clean rods with soap and water, as said above, is the right thing.
However there is a time factor involved. Cleaning should be done just as soon
as possible. Doing it the next morning has giver the water a chance to evaporate
and leave a reside, sometimes in tight places. Flooding with a garden hose
(nozzle off) pronto is a good start. After many years of repairing salt water rods;
it was always sad to see some real nice rods with the feet of the guides just
corroding under the wraps and finish.

jocko

What Jocko said.

In addition, I put mine in the shower, with a nice drizzle of warm water (not a powerful blast which will drive the salt into nooks and crevices, which converts later into trouble).

It also helps to use Salt-X to spray the rods down before doing the shower thing.

I think your friend will be fine.....

Whit

I build saltwater rods and mainly for people who fish on Party Boats and when I make a rod for someone they also get a written explanation on the cleaning and care of the rod. I have made a point of not building for anyone that does not take proper care of the rod I built and no money can sway me to make another rod if they dont take care of it.

I take 3 rods on each fishing trip and whether I use all 3 rods or not they all go into the shower with me for a good scrubbing after a day of fishing. I use a scrub pad with JOY and wash down the grips and then a rag with Joy to wash down the guides and the rest of the wrapping. I let it air dry . Some of my rods look like they are brand new and I have been using them for many many years and they look like I just made them.

A couple of years ago a rod builder from the UK saw my rods and couldn't believe the rods were 10 yrs old and I was using them every week. He is also a writer of a fishing column in England and he wrote a coulmn about my cleaning rods and showed a picture of the rods. I was thrilled to get a copy ot the article.