Using NGC the choker guide is the smallest as all the rest of the guides to the tip are the same size. I guess this includes the tip top. In his NGC primer Tom has given examples of a couple of ring sizes depending on what line size will be used. I think this is more related to the fact that lines are often joined and therefore the rings need to be big enough to let the knot thru. I know some use the smallest rings as they don't intend to let any knot thru because of the way they fish. My question is whether anyone has a general guide to what size rings to use for particular line sizes. I know this can be difficult as line diameters vary so much but I think if we stick to ordinary mono this will give us a guide that everyone can use.

You can go very small in most instances as mono, even larger sizes, isn't very large compared to most ring openings.

But you'll want to consider other criteria as well - will the rod be used in cold weather where icing could be a problem? Will you be employing any shock or leader knots? You have to consider everything the rod has to do, not just the line diameter.

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I use a bigger top than my running guides. With 10lb. test or above (0.30mm), I like size 5mm top to get better line payout from the tip when tying or clearing a lure. This is without leader knots. I use 3.5mm - 4.5mm for running guides. I would assume you could go smaller with .28mm mono and down (a typical 8lb. size), as this diameter mono and smaller is processed differently during production than the larger diameters.

If you are having accuracy problems, such as "squirrel casts" (casts off the mark - "I see you cast into the tree above the water - are you fishing for squirrels?!) when pitching, some have suggested using anything from a 6 to an 8mm top.

I am fishing with braid (4lb.-10lb.) +fluorocarbon leader and for majority of my spinning rods built by me the top guide are 2.5mm.inside diameter ( match guides model "M" ). In Houston is not realy winter.

Your title askes about tip size. At times in the past it wasn't uncommon for the tip to be a size larger. A bit ago I built a rod with size 4 guides. I noticed with slack line a little coil touching the blank right below the tip. It concerned me enough to try a larger tip. I don't quite remember but say I changed fro a 4 tip to a 6 or 8. IMHO it ruined the rod and I put the 4 back on in a NY second.

As to the smallest guide I'd use.....I don't think I have found that answer. For me the limit seems to be more about how small of a guide I can dress and wrap. I doubt I'd use a 4 for 50# mono but it is fine for 20# limp stuff like p-line. For me and my waters, 20# class will catch pretty big fish if I have enough line on the reel.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.