Here is a question for everybody. The type of guides for my freshwater casting rods? Im only building freshwater casting rods for myself, mainly use fluorocarbon line and fishing for bass. I know I can use SIC guides on all my rods but am I wasting money using these guides? Are there any disadvantages in using aluminum oxide (or Hardloy or Alconite?) guides for my rods? Do SIC have any advantages over the less expensive aluminum oxide guides such as sensitivity or ???? Will fluorocarbon line damage aluminum oxide guides? Does guide ring material matter on micro guides, aluminum oxide vs. SIC?

It would be rare for any modern mono or braided line to damage a quality aluminum oxide guide. On freshwater casting rods, SIC is nice but likely overkill in terms of the ability to withstand wear. Sensitivity would be a matter of weight, not ring material. Although, some rings are heavier than others. But guide for guide, we'd be talking a terribly minute difference. Certainly not likely to be enough for the human hand to notice.

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Dennis-
Great question. Guide rings like Kigan's Coalite, SiC, and Zirconia are all great for mono, flouro, and braid. You'll see lots of different preferences. Some builders will favor value while others look for every possible edge.

Coalite offers great performance for fresh and saltwater, excellent value, and is our most popular ring offering. SWAMPLAND Tackle currently has a full line up for Kigan Coalite ringed guides in stock. You will find cobalt/aluminum based guide rings on a very large number of custom and production rods.

Slightly above Coalite is SiC - its a little harder ring and I recommend it in applications where heat dissipation is a major concern. This would be in situations where you typically have longs run by fish.

Our top performer is Zirconia rings. These offer the most durable, lightest rings and offer ultimate performance. Our Zirconia rings are made with a very high purity zirconia powder so you realize the benefits of zirconia and not just a name.

Outside of the guide ring, I'd also look closely ring/frame contact and overall frame design and construction.

Alex

Hydra Fishing, LLC

Online: [www.hydrafishing.com]
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Dennis,
Also, check out the Pac Bay minima guides. These guides that have been out for a few years, are inexpensive, tough and light.

Take care
Roger

Dennis,

90-95% of the rods I build are bass rods. I have used just about every guide out there...Fuj Alconite & SIC's, Pac Bay Minima, etc. For price, durability and light weight I use Fuj Alconite guides. I have not tried the Kigan guides available through Swampland. Swampland have an excellant reputation. You might give Swampland a call to dicuss the Kigan guides. I like the looks of their micro guides and was considering giving them a try.

There are a bunch of good guides on the market today. Each have their advantages. I have standardized to the Fuji Alconites to make life easier on myself. That way I don't have to keep a lot of different brands of guides in my inventory.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

The Aconite rings are a nice guide
I just don't like the fly guides cause when I get them the ring has no - kick up - keeping the ring off the blank

I went to American Tackle

Bill - willierods.com

For price vs quality it's hard to beat Fuji Alconite.

Pacific Bay Minima 4 are a good choice if you want very light guides.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2012 12:54AM by Eric MONTACLAIR.

I've always used either Am. Tack Nanolite or Fuji Alconite guides and have been happy with them. However, I recently wrapped my first set of Pac Bay Minimas and they look & feel up to the task of my inshore rods.

thanks all for your input