Here's the situation. I've built a rod for a guy and he loves the handle and work i've done on it. (MHX sj842) However it doesn't cast "smooth" with the size 4000 symetre he's using. . I've tweeked it and rewrapped it and for some reason I'm not getting the performance or "smoothness" that I want/need for this guy.

I've set it up with the 27x method and i'm wondering if a size 30 butt guide would solve the problem instead of a 25? Anyone had this type of issue before? If so what was the solution?

He's throwing 8lb floro and uses it for a lot of different techniques. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Couple of ideas here. A 4000 series probably has a spool diameter that is too large for a #25 guide. The stripper guide size should be about half the dia. of the outer rim of the reel spool. Try a size 30 stripper guide.


If I were going to consistently use 8 lb floro I would be using a 750 to 1500 series reel. In my opinion , the reel is quite large for that rod using 8 lb test line. That may or may not be an issue.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

4000 may be overkill for that blank and line - before you blame the rod set up try a 2500.

Jay typing at the same time -



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2010 02:13PM by Bill Stevens.

FOr my tournament fishing, I like using the 4000 series reels even for lighter line. You get more line on the spool and I have less issues with line springing off the spool. To me, I would say if you can not find a location for the 25 guide that works better, then you would have to go up to the 30. In the rods I have set up for the 4000 reel, I am using either mono or braid and I have not had to use anything bigger than a 25 guide for mono. I have not tried floro on the rod setup for mono.

Two things come to mind,One is, I thought 27X was old school and why not use a tamer guide in front of the stripper guide. Do a search on both, also ask Tom he has commented on both

Good Wraps Bob

You should certainly try a size 30, but you also need to find out what he's throwing and make sure he's getting the rod loaded.

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Thanks guys. I did put the 2500 size on there and it worked fine, but that's not the reel he's using.

The size 30 sounds like a viable option.

tamer guide, hmmm i'll research that.

Bob
You talking this set up: [www.rodbuilding.org]

Also floro is a stiff line. That is probably why it is springing off a smaller real. Suggest mono or even braid with a leader if going to a smaller real.

If you try the 30 check the next two guides for line path. The 27 X is the chock guide placement.

Bill - willierods.com

We'll do. Thanks again.

I use a size 3000 spinning reel with 8lb mono because it seems to me that I have way fewer problems with the line tangles than a 2500. I have several rods all with a 25MM first guide and both the 3000 & 2500 seem to work fine with this setup. One tip I may offer is ALWAYS, ALWAYS close the bail by hand and give the line a quick tug while raising the tip as you start to reel in the slack line. After I started doing this my tangles went to almost zero. Hope this may help someone.

One question I have is the distance between the reel face and the first guide?

Bill you are correct Spacing between the 2 is speculative. Some say up close Like Doug Hanning's (Bass Pro.) CastAway rod system or 4 inches in-front of the last guide. I just know what I have read or the video I have seen. I plan to experiment this winter

Good Wraps Bob

Here this should help : two articles on spinning guide set up [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Joe,
Out of curiosity, what is your exact guide setup and what is your guide spacing, starting from the reel?

I am wondering if you may simply have the first guide too close to your reel seat.

However, I will say that if I am planning on the use of a larger spool reel like a 4000 or similar I will always go with a size 30 first guide and or a "tall" size 25 guide.

I also will make my first guide at least 24 inches away from the reel seat on this type guide and reel setup.

Roger

I would say Roger has given you some good advice. Any lack of "smoothness" that you notice may be line slap against the rod blank. A higher guide may be better than a guide that is simply larger. And the higher it is, the closer it can be. Play around with that reel to butt guide spacing a bit.

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FWIW, just did a rod with a 3500 reel. I felt a high frame 30 was called for. Not all reels are the same though. Spool diameter was 2.18".

2.18(.5)(25.4) = 27.7 and since I was fishing PE2.5 with 15# mono on top I opted for a fuji byag 30. I felt it casted well.

Just measured the 4000 and it is 2.25".

Russ in Hollywood, FL.