I'm about to order a couple IP840s to build as a panfish rod for someone and myself. Typically, my spinning outfits have been 25-16-10-7-4s to tip or 25-16-10-4s to tip. I'm looking to use possibly the minima guides or the k series. It is going to be built as a split grip. Not sure if I'll use a TN handle or a aero seat.
What setup is best for panfish?

K-series -
20-12-8-4s to tip?

Minimas - I have never used these, so I need suggestions. (I may end up going with these)

I believe he'll be using mono only or floro.

The guy I'm building for wants a good blank, is there a better blank than this anyone would recommend? How does this blank compare to the Loomis TSR791S GLX?

Thanks for the help.

Jeremy W. Reed

I just built a 7' C844.1 Hydra blank with 25, 12, 7, then 4's to the tip (I used Kigan no-tangle guides). It works great. Very light and good casting distance.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

take a look at the M style guides. they are available in the minimas. use an M style for your butt guide then use Y guides for transition and fly for runners. the M guide will give you the height without having to use a large ring size. for a light build you can easily use a 16 for the butt and maybe a 12 then go down from there. it will reduce the guide size and weight.

Jeremy,
I just finished a build on that blank with Minimas - using sizes similar to what you posted.
The rod came out fine and the client is well satisfied.

The minima guides are so light that casting is effortless.
Also, as with any setup, use the fewest possible for your particular setup.

Be safe
Roger

How does the XP840 compare to the IP840? Any noticeable difference?

On the minima setup, would the following work 16m-12m- rest 4s or 12m-6m-4s ? Other setup?

Thanks,

jwr

it is hard to say exactly which will work until you set it up...buy a few extra guide sizes and then just see which ones work best for your rod.

Jeremy,

My IP840 uses 20Y, 10Y, 5F, 3Fs to the tip (Y=Alps XY, F=Batson Fly/Micros), split Tennessee handle. I also have another panfish travel rod, SB720-4, with 16M, 8M, 5F, 3Fs to the tip 18mm seat with 7" cork rear grip. Both rods are paired with Quantum sz10 reels. Both guide trains work well enough to satisfy me. To be honest, you can't go wrong either way. If I fished slip floats more often with nail knot bobber stops, I would probably rewrap with 4mm or 5mm running guides. If you don't trim the tags off extremely close, they tend to hang a bit on the way out in the 3s.

I haven't handled any of the RX8 models, so I can't comment on the differences, but the IP840 is a very fine blank for the money.

Joe

Jeremy, The XP840 is lighter and a little faster 'crisper action'. The finish on the ip840 is matte while the finish on the xp840 is Titanium Chrome.

The Minimas would be my suggestion for weight reduction.

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
407-542-7840
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Jeremy,
Don't get too hung up on guide sizes. Just use the guides that make sense to you, for your casting needs that are in line with the intend to use on the rod, and the type terminal tackle you intend to use on the rod.

i.e. if you intend to use snaps, swivels, large knots or tag ends that need to pass the tip or guides, go with larger guides. Also, if you intend to use in in the cold spring or fall or winter, when you may encounter freezing water and icing guides, then go larger.
Otherwise, just use the guide size, type and location that gives you the results with the rod that y ou want it to have.

Any guide will cause the line to follow the contour of the blank. Obviously the fewer and lighter, the less weight you will add to the guide, which , in general tends to make the rod more enjoyable to use.

But all of the final decisions are up to you. Build the rod in a way that makes sens to you and to the person that is going to use the rod.

Remember on a light action rod like that that is likely to be using limp light line - whether it is mono or braid, you likely don't need to go very large in the guide sizes to get excellent results with your rod.

Good luck
Roger

I'm building two XP840 (one for my son and one for me).

The son rod use Fuji BYAG20/12/7 then BLAG4 (x6) and a BMCAT4.5(4.0) for tip.
It cast very well and it's very light.

My XP840 is not finished yet, it will be Minima 4 XM4XG16/08(perharps 10)/06 then XF4XG04 (x6) and American Tackle MicroLock Nanolite NCRLMT4(4) for tip.