another question from a new builder. I have a friend-customer that wants me to build him a rod on the 5S70 MF st.croix blank, all i know about his guide choices are he wants all titanium concept , he wants to start with a 12 d.foot , from there he left it up to me. this spinning blank will be built as a casting rod, used for redfish and speckled-trout. my thoughts were maybe a 12,10,8, finished out with 6's or maybe 5's , he is not fond of micro's so i don't want to go smaller . would appreciate input from experienced builders here
how many total guides?
sizes ?
thanks in advance for the help

Personally, a 12 is a bit big for me, but if that is what he wants. I would start with the 8 myself and go right to the 6 or 5. If you start with 12, you could do without the 10, then the 8 and then the 6 or 5. General rule for numbers is length +1 and the tip. You will need to do a static test to determine the exact number needed.

A few years ago I built for myself, two baitcasters from St. Croix 5S70MF and 5S70MLF blanks using the 12-10-8-6(6 of them) in a spiral wrapped configuration and couldn't be more pleased with the results, just my two cent comment.

Why put a butt guide on a casting rod that is larger than the hole in the level wind guide? The guide in the level wind mechanism is the first guide.

William (Bill) Jones Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why put a butt guide on a casting rod that is
> larger than the hole in the level wind guide? The
> guide in the level wind mechanism is the first
> guide.


If it was going to be for me I would build it a micro like my last 2 personal rods , but he wants to start with a 12 so a 12 it will be

Just my opinion. First of all, I would never even for 1 second put a guide in front of the Casting Reel opening smaller. It's almost funny to think that someone would do that. With that said, having a larger guide does not in my estimation affect anything at all. However, I would explain to your friend that the ultimate end is to have less friction when casting to get the delivery (cast) that you're trying to obtain. Thus... I feel that the opening and the first guide should in no way hinder the performance. In other words, the guides base ring should not be higher then the casting reels opening. If anything it should be just a tad lower so that as I said earlier, there's less friction. As far as how many? I like to have sometimes 1 more then what the manufacturer recommends. As Ken Preston ( a rod builder has said) "You don't ever want your line ever touching the rod. Here's a * tip for you new builders. What ever you tip top opening is plays a huge role in guide size selection, in that, you don't want your last remaining guides smaller then your tip opening. Believe it or not, I have seen some new rod builders do this. Remember, performance is key!