I have read that the 1st 180 degree guide,closet to the reel,needs to be positioned before the flex of the blank begins when it is loaded.Why is this so and what is the importance of this and what are the likely consequences if this guide is placed well into the flex?.
Would appreciate any feedback.Thanks.

Mick, if you are talking about the simple spiral system, the guides are layed out on the blank per standard casting guide placement. The first 180 degree guide is the second guide in your lay out which should be 9 to 10 inches from the stripper guide. You will then place a bumper guide half way between the stripper guide and the first 180 degree guide.

Greg,i am referring to stripper guide at 0 degree the next at 60 degree etc.

For the rods I have made, I just like getting the 180 degree guide placed on the rod as quickly as I can. For me it is a general rule of thumb to get it on the blank right around the area the rod before the rod flexes. I don't think tere is any importance to doing this, but I like having the running guides be in the area where the rod flexes most.

In fact, I think what you are more likely to have heard is that the first 180 degree guide should be placed so that it is behind the point where the blank stops flexing under full load. Again, this is only as important as you want to make it. The idea is that all the major force on the blank and the guides will be done with all the guides completely under the rod this way. But it's not absolutely necessary. The O'Quinn Spiral has its first 180 degree guide a good ways up the blank and we know it works fine and may be the best casting configuration of any of the various spiral wraps.

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Thanks for the info, it is very much appreciated.

Smooth line transition is way more important to me than where the rod loads at which guide, or which guide it doesn't load at. My Striper rods get bent into the reel seat on a regular basis, and where that 180 is didn't matter one bit. A nice even load with a smooth line transition is "it". The smoother you make the line path, the better.

DR