I'm building an MHX SJ843 7ft. spin rod for 8 - 12 lb. florocarbon line.
My plan is to use #25, #16, #10 all high frames with
(5) #6 SF fly as choker and running guides.
Choker is at 48.6" from spool (1.8" dia.).

But when I set the transition guides I'm a bit confused.

- if i go #25, #16, #10 all high frame my spacing from the choker is
8", 8 1/2", 11 1/2" to the butt guide.

- if I go #25, #16, #8 my spacing from the choker ends up
61/4", 10 1/2", 11 1/2".
(tried a 10, 12, 25 but that doesn't seem to provide a good sopacing either)

Question 1: with my original plan everything lines up "in the bulls eye"
and it does cast OK, but is the spacing OK?
When I do a 6 1/2 ft. rod I typically get more even spacing like 7, 9, 11"

Question 2: is the drop from a #10 to #6 choker too much?

Thanks for any help.

You could try 25, 12, 8, or even drop one guide and go 25, 12, choker.

Joe

First of all, when implementing the NGC, you can't preplan what guides you want to use. You have to allow the line path to tell you what guides should be used.

As far as your spacing, you'll have to step back and take a look at it, static deflect the rod and note the line and how it matches the flex in the rod. Use your own judgement as to which looks best. If it casts good and looks good, it is good.

Drop between guide sizes? The line doesn't care about the drop between guides sizes - this is one of the major mistakes rod builders make. The drop isn't what you think it is. The difference between going from a 10 to an 8 or a 10 to a 4 is barely measurable. It makes no difference. The idea that you have to gradually drop and use all the available sizes comes from a long held myth that this creates a more gradual line path. Actually the reverse is true. It creates a stair step path instead of a smooth, funnel like path.Use fewer guide sizes and drop from your largest to smallest guide size as quickly as you can. This increases rod efficiency and improves performance.

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

Steven

Most of my 6'6" or 7' spin rods end up with a #25, #12, #6 choker and runners as Joe (above) suggested. This setup works best for most of my spin rod builds.

Rog

Thanks for the inputs, I'll try these set-ups with the guides sizes indicated
using the perscribed NGC method as Tom said.

I only build for myself and a few rods as gifts for my friends and family, but I have to say thanks for the time and effort put into developing the ngc method of guide placement. Since I have started using it I have built a few really smooth casting spinners! I've used it on 1 fresh water rod and several light salt rods for boat fishing and even my surf rods now.

On my spinning projects, they all seem to wind up with a 25-16-8 with a 6 choker, irregardless of the size of the reel (they are reasonably close though). But I use the table method since the 27x is usually too far for my liking on Salmon size reels. The butt guide usually falls around the 20"-21" range - but that's just me.

I generally go with a 25, 16, 10, 7, 6 runners.
If I don't get the right transition, I will sometimes change the height of the 10 - either taller or shorter - by straightning the guide foot and then rebending it for the right height.
If you start with the stripper guide at about 20 inches from the face of the reel, you can generally jog the other postions of guides to get a nice unifrom line flow to the tip of the rod.

Good luck
Roger

Generally just 3, perhaps 4 different guide sizes on a very long rod with a larger reel, is all you need.

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

I am going to build a 7' spinning rod and want to use ngc system. I want to use double foot guides......what styles will work, considering that the height of the guides between choker and reel have to be taller than running guides.....thanks, Steven