Just a quick question regarding butt guide sizes on spin rods. How do i select the right size? I have read that you measure the reel diameter and halve it to get the size you need. Is this correct? Also when using the 27x method to find the choker guide placement does it need to be exactly on the spot or can it be a little either side? Just asking because if i use a reel with a spool diameter of 39mm the choker guide will be at 1053mm and then if i use a reel with a spool diam. of 45mm the choker guide will be at 1215mm. Can i just take an average of the two to get a compromise position for the guide to suit both reels? Thank in advance Brian

Line is flexible so moving something in inch or so fore or aft makes little difference. You can use an average if you want, just be sure and cast it with both reels to make sure you're satisfied with how it works.

The larger and stiffer the line the larger the butt guide ring you need. The smaller and more supple the line, the smaller the butt guide ring you can get by with. A ring that is at least 1/2 the spool diameter, provided it has sufficient height, is a good place to start. Rarely does it need to be much larger than that unless you're using very large diameter, stiff, line.

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You've got to start somewhere, Brian. Strap'em on temporarily and do some test casting-that is what will reveal to you where they should be for your particular application. You could use that averaging method and get an average level of performance. No substitute for testing with the two different reels, line sizes/types etc.

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Above is the static rod guide placement that is listed in the library. I use this, combined with the 27x. I figure the 27x measurement, mark the blank. Then use the static placement, work back to the mark where the choker should be. Sometimes I may need to move it an inch or so. Usually not a lot more than that. Then continue on with the transition guide/guides, then the butt guide ring.
I use braid a lot on my reels, so a smaller butt guide works well.The line has little memory, does not loop much at all.
I build on similar blanks a lot. I have about 3 different guide placements that seem to work with a certain blank. Say a 7ft med, mod is 1 placement, a fast another. Heavy action is still another. A different set will be on a 6'6". If you use the static placement logic, as your rod blank flexes, your line should mimic that curve with correct guide placement. That is what you try to achieve with every build. Write down the placement, you have a starting place, like a story pole, for the next build. Several of the suppliers have the recommended placements for their blanks. they can help also. I like to have the reel show me where to locate the butt guide and transition guide/guides. I always try to use a smaller butt guide. JMO
I do not know anything about saltwater setups. do not know if they use different guide placement ideas or not. I just catch whimpy fresh water fish!

Kyle Robinson



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2009 09:49PM by Kyle Robinson.

thanks for the replies,

Tom, I only use between 4 & 10lb Nitlon braid so 1/2 the diam. will be fine

Chris, i do just that, wasn't sure if it needed to be spot on.

Kyle, most of the other rods i've built have been done using the static method and they work fine.
Have just been reading so much about the 27x method i thuoght that i would try it.

Again thanks all.

Brian,
The general rule of thumb that I use for setting up the guides on a spinning reel, is that for rod that are going to be using relatively heavy line and heavy lures, I will size the first guide at a place on the rod, such that when retreiving the line, with the intended reel, I insure myself that the line makes a low angle contact with the guide, around its full circumfurance as the line is retreived. If the line contacts the guide around its
FULL circumfurance, then it is large enough to allow free passage of the line during casts. It is also large enough to minimize line reeling effort during heavy retreives.

Note, that when the first guide is too small, you will find that the line does not make a full circle on the guide during retreive. Rather, you will find that the line tends to remain in only a portion of the guide as the spool makes its full revolutions during line retreival.

Good luck
Roger