I starting two rods one is for tarpon and one id for grouper off the bottom. I looking for guides that will handle the salt water I am fishing braids and need some thin that can take the fast runs and extended fight of tarpon and horse grouper out of the holes in the reef an suggestions as all ways thanks for the help Paul

Billy Vivona would be able to help I'm sure. He's in the member directory.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

how do I find him where is the member directory

Paul, free to give me a call. I guide Tarpon trips in Boca Grande May-June and understand the beating that tackle goes through while fighting these brutes. . One thing is for sure, you want a soft tip to feel the bite and absorb the head shakes/jumps while you also need a backbone that will stop a Mack Truck. Whichever frames you choose I would highly suggest SIC or Zirconia rings with a flanged tip top. For spinning rods I love the Batson rclb80xl, bottom rods rclb80L. Not sure how you are fishing for them etc...but give me a shout and I'll offer as much info as I can. 407--448-3635

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
407-542-7840
www.GetBitOutdoors.com
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Hello Paul

American Tackle Virtus Heavy guides are what you need, Billy Vivona from NERBS, thier web site is listed to the left.
The Virtus are Titanium with NanoLite Rings, plenty tough enough.

Happy Builds.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Double-footed "MN" series Fuji guides are my choice and they perform admirably ... never an issue. Any of the ceramic inserts will hold up - that isn't an issue. The most common options would be a layout using BMNAG or MNSG guides. To help combat corrosion, you could move up to ICMNSG guides.

The standard fuji guides used type 304 stainless. If you always washed your rods they would last a reasonable time but not forever. Now you can buy a type 316 stainless frame and that is likely to last forever. Titanium is even better and lighter but not as physically resistant to being bent repeatedly.

As Jim states all the ceramic inserts will do. SIC is the best but Nanolite/Zirconia are pretty close. I like the Virtus line and the lights will do for 40# and under. Use the heavy ones if fishing higher pounds teast. The Alps line is good too. Fuji is proven but I think you pay for the name.

You appear to be in my area. Feel free to email me if I can help.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Alps MXN's. All 316 stainless with either hard oxide or zirconium rings. Can't find many better guides.

I love the SIC guides with titanium frame especially with braid. We used the MNSG on our bottom rods for grouper. I love the seeker hercules blank for grouper, caught so many on them and these pulled up 350 goliaths in a few minutes no problem. Billy is the guy to talk to about these amazing blanks, check out the videos and pics of them. I have never had any rings pop out on any of my fuji SIC guides, you cant beat them.