Hi this is my first thread on here so here goes.
I am a new rod builder in the UK.
I'm looking for the 'best' guides I can get for a plugging rod for the UK market.
I've been looking at Pac-Bay's minima guides (model T). I have read the thread on the TiCH wearing through with interest.
My customer is looking at the Black/TiGold design, how hard wearing is the TiGold?
I know eventually it is going to wear through, but are we talking moths or years here?
The guides are to be used in salt water conditions, with braid or mono.
The reason we looked at the minima was for the lighter and less 'bulky' appearance. Quite often small swivels are used and cast through the guides so a chance of knocking on the liner wall.
Out of the Pac-Bay range available, which are the hardest wearing liner in the model T minima guide?
The rods/guides will most probably be usedup to 5 times a week on session s of up to 8 hours.
Can anyone recommend another range available in the UK or of a higher 'wear' value?
Thank you in advance for any help.
Richard.

These are fairly new to the custom rod market so I doubt anyone can give you a definitive answer. They just haven't been around long enough in this market for anyone to really know what they're going to look like after a few seasons of use. I'm afraid you're going to have to do your own research via on the water use in order to get the answers you want.

They have been in use for a couple decades on commercially produced rods and the manufacturer says they have little to no problem with ring grooving or wear.


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Thank you.
It was the Tigold that we were afraid would wear through first over the TiCH liner.

I don't rely on coatings for surface wear. The only Minima guides I've used are the Minima 4 in plain chrome/stainless.

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Would that be the XT4XG minima's?
Has anyone had any problems with the chrome and salt water corosion?

I would assume they would corrode at the same rate as any other stainless steel/chrome guide. Other than titanium framed guides, all guides are going to rust in saltwater if you don't take care to prevent it.

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What titanium guides would you recommend in the style of the minima's?

There are none.

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Thank you, you have saved me searching for something that doesn't exist.

Richard -
This, I think, is as close as you will come - American Tackle titanium frame guides with their "ring lock" design. Not exactly like the Minima guides as they are only protected (over wrapped) by the frame on one side while the Minimas are inset on both the leading and trailing edges of the ring. They only come with bare (uncoated) titanium frames but they do offer a model with gold inner ring.

URL: [www.americantackle.us]


For sale through MudHole (and others).

Ken

Other than Fuji Gold Cermet, I haven't found much in a gold color that will endure saltwater exposure. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer and directly asking if they were tested for saltwater use AND the results.

Thank you for the comments.