I need to know if I should use 7 or 8 guides plus Tip on a 7' spinning rod using a 3000 model reel. I am unable to see any difference from static testing between 7 and 8, Thanks for all of your help.

Usually it is a guide per foot plus the tip so 7 and a tip should be fine.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

Dave,
Use as few guides as possible and still achieve the action, response, casting and retrieving from a rod.
This might mean as 5 guides on a 7 foot rod, or as many as 10 - depending on the blank and the taper.

Good luck
Roger

I have built many 7' spinning rods, and find I never need more than 6 guides, plus the tip top. On everything from ultra-lite to musky spinning rods.

I know it's less than what most use, but it works!

Good Luck,
Marc

Using micro guides, I tyipaclly use 11 but concept style rods use around 7-8 depending on the ind. blanks.

There is really little reason to use more or fewer guides on a spinning rod, or on a casting rod using a spiral wrap - depending on the guide size.
i.e. if 6 guides work for large guides, 6 guides should work for micro guides.

If you are building a conventional casting rod, you might have a significantly different number of guides - depending on the height of the guide in order to keep the line off the rod. i.e. a higher guide will allow a rod to be built with fewer guides and still keep the line from slapping the rod.
The only purpose of a guide is to guide the lines path with respect to the rod blank - both unbent and bent.

Good luck
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2009 03:55PM by roger wilson.

If you're satisfied with the line path under load with the 7 guide (plus tiptop) set up, then go with it.

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Make sure to test cast each. Spinning rods can sometimes cast very differently based on the guide layout. You may find one cast better than the other.

I do static but wonder if rod action makes a difference - i.e. Fast versus slow action.

Mo

Mo,
No question about it.
A good rod builder will usually have at least one, and perhaps more than one more guide on a fast action rod, compared to a slow action rod.

With a fast action rod, you will have a much quicker tip. To properly load the tip, you need guides to keep the line following the bending moment of the rod blank.

Good luck
Roger

I have found on fast action rods I generally don't need any more guides. They need to be spaced to distribute the load evenly on the smaller arc towards the tip, but you can also space them farther appart lower in the rod where the blank does not bend - resulting in a weight savings.

Interesting, so there's two divergent opinions on this.....?

Mo

Mo, it might have something to do with the rod and its intended duty. I would load a salt water rod a lot more during guide placement than a bass rod fishing the same pound test. No matter how fast a blank is it will bend if pushed enough. I just don't trust most fresh water rods to dead lift the pound test I'll fish on them....and I won't trust a salt water rod that can't!

Russell. Got it. Makes sense. Thanks.

Mo