As a beginner rod builder I find the extensive selection available confusing and baffling.
Concept guides, micro guides, etc, etc, etc. And of course Striper guides, different sizes, guide materials, ring materials…………
Anyone can recommend reading material on information about selecting guides, pros, cons, etc.??

Thank You,

The revamped Fuji site has some of the best information to date ... [anglersresource.net]. It would be a very good place to start.

I'll offer the following for thought. However there are others here that are FAR more knowledgable.

Often new offerings are just new ways to part us from our money. Newer isn't always better. New ideas are often just recycled info.

It has always been known that a bunch of smaller guides distributes the load better than a few smaller (or bigger) guides. In the past it was felt the weight penality prohibited using so many guides. Now with micros and titainium as options we are looking again at increasing the number of guides. IMHO what

IMHO which path to choose depends on what you are asking of your rod. I feel that the guys that are really pushing rods to the limits....those catching large, hard fighting/long running fish, relative to line strength....will be the ones to see the most gain. This isn't to say all wouldn't enjoy using the samllest and lightest guide because they will. And using smaller guides often meams using more. But IMHO those pushing the limits will be the ones best served by using an extra guide or two.....and now they can with little penality!

Today we are blessed with a number of good guides/models/brands. I don't know the market can support this for very long so rejoice in your ability to have lots of choices.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Sergio,
If you are just starting off, I think that it makes a lot of sense to build a couple of "practice" rods so to speak.

i.e. you want to learn your techniques for doing the various things while constructing a rod. One can also believe that the first rod building attempt will not likely be as well executed at the 1000th rod built.

Therefore, I would suggest that you just start off with a set of prepackaged inexpensive guides, and get cracking.

That way the sizes are already selected. All that you have to do, is to space them properly and tie them up. No, they may not be of the very latest style and type, but it will give you a chance to get a rod built that will be less expensive than spending $$$$$$$$$$$$ for specialized guides.

It might also make sense to simply purchase a rod building kit, where every thing is supplied - i.e. blank, grips, reel seats and guides. In some cases, the thread is also supplied.

Several different vendors on the left side of this page have such kits available.

Good luck
Roger

Good advice given. I've been doing this for over 30 years and still don't have it figured out. Don't let the guide options into your head. Get what you think looks good and don't overthink it. My opinion is that you have steel, titanium and ceramics. That's it. All of the different types of "ceramics" don't mean much to me, at least for my inland rods. One is as good as another. Keep it simple and have fun with it!