I am planning on building a rod to be used primarily for backtrolling in the Kenai River using big jet divers and quickfish in heavy current, and of course chinook that will regularly exceed the 40 lb mark. I will also use this rod for bobber fishing for chinook in big rivers. The blank isn't all that fast and is 10.5' long so I anticipate having to offset the bumper to 100 or 110 degrees. I plan to use 65 lb braid and an Abu Revo Toro 61 on this rod. I understand the fundamentals of the simple spiral, but I have a few questions.

Do you think a 7 ring size for all guides but the butt guide, bumber and 2nd guide from the reel) is going to be big enough to easily pass a 30 lb dacron bobber stop tied onto 65 lb braid?

Will single foot guides Forhan wrapped (except for the first two guides closest to the reel and the bumber guide, which I assume should be be double footed ) be strong enough for this application?

What guide size and type for the bumper (single or double foot and what ring size) do you recommend for this application?

If any of you have build a similar rod for similar use I'd love to hear about your experience.

Thanks,

George

There's really only one way to find out if that size guide will pass your required parts and pieces - try it. Someone else might be using a similar set up and will hopefully chime in, but if not, you'll just have to string some up and see how things pass.

I typically use a larger ring guide for the bumper guide, but use a low frame type and bend/shape it so that it sits down close to the blank.

...............

For the butt guide I would use a sz 25, Batson "U" series, or the new Alps series 2 foot guides.
The "H" ring should be tough enough, but you may want to use the harder Zirconia rings.
On a rod that stout using the tackle you describe, i would use 2 foot guides all the way, using size 8's after the butt guide.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

I agree with Ron.
Go with 2 foot guides in a size 8 after the butt guide.
I think that if you go with a 3 guide revolver wrap on the spiral, you will only need two guide sizes. i.e. a size 25 and a size 8.
Try both a simple spiral with a single bumper and then try a revolver with the 3 guide roll over and see which works best for the task you are doing. You can simply tape the guides in place and try running the line and retrieving the line under stress to get a good feel for the overall action.

Take care
Roger

Thanks guys. The Batson folks also recommended sticking with double foot guides all the way to the tip; that kind of surprised me, hence I posed the question here as well. I guess I'll use a big butt guide, and double footed low frame 8s for all the other guides including the bumper and see how that works.

Funny, I've never seen a spiral wrapped rod on the Kenai. . . not for backtrolling, drifting, not even for backbouncing which would be a great application for a spiral. . .

George

Any spiral wrapped rod will be more Stable.

Ron and Roger,

I got a size 25 guide for the butt guide. It looks giant. Why do I want to use a ring this big? Thanks,

George