I need some guidance on guide sizing/selection for a 9', 9wt fly rod I'm building for stripers/blues. I asked the blank supplier for recommendations on guide sizes and he merely copied the Sage guide selection available on-line. In the case of Sage, they suggest 16,12, 4, 3, 2,2,2,1,1,1 for their 990 TCX. I thought the 2 and 1 a bit small for my application as I will be using 10wt intermediate line on a large arbor saltwater reel.

I went to Mudhole and looked at their heavy duty guide set 20-16-12, FRG-6-6-6-5-5-5-5-5 which seemed a bit "heavy" for my application, so I did some more on-line reaearch and found a reasonable selection might be 16,12, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3.

My questions are for those who may have built a striper rod to throw 10wt on a 9wt rod:
1) Is the 16 OK or do I need to start with a 20?
2) Do I need to step down 5/4/3 as above or can I just go 12 to 3?
3) I could test some guide combos, but I have no idea how to "tape" guides securely - thoughts on securing guides for testing?

Any input from the collective knowlegede base is greatly appreciated.

BTW, to complicate matters, I will be tossing clousers/deceivers with this set up out of a kayak.

Thanks
Joe

1. A 16 is fine for the stripping guide. You might take a look at a high frame spinning type 16.

2. You can leave out all those unnecessary sizes in-between and go 12 to 3 and actually create a straighter line path at less weight.

3. Tape will secure the guides well enough for lawn casting.

............

16-12-#5 snake-#3 snakes to tip. I just finished a nine weight striper rod for myself and used this layout with PacBay DPL strippers. They look like they will take a beating! Works great!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2012 07:01PM by Greg Foy.

Joe: Before you wrap up a blank I suggest you take the fly line you plan to use, the leader you plan to use, and join them in the way you prefer. Then see if the line-leader connection always passes smoothly through the smallest aperture(s) in your guide train. If there is any hang-up my experience predicts you WILL lose fish about to be landed, you WILL cuss a lot as you attempt to pass leader and line through your guide train preparing to cast , and you will end up cutting off the guides and replacing them.
Besides using tape to secure guides for testing you could always use 5 or 6 turns of elastic sewing thread (available at any sewing supply store) tightly wrapped around the guide feet and the blank and secured with a square knot. This thread is plenty strong enough for your task, allows the guide to be repositioned without trouble, and leaves no residue on the blank when you are finished.

if you follow Phil's suggestion on how to get the correct guides don't forget the size of the tip top then use Tom"s suggestion on the guidrs don't play with differant sizes go 16, 12 , then on the same size from there on an it should be the size you need for the line an knot to pass thrue it , this will save you some lost fish , snake brand snake guides have a curve to the foot on the wire guides it helps on the tip section when you put the guides on , this will be a little more costley but not bad , MY 2 CTS

All excellent suggestions.
Thanks for the guidance.
Really like the idea of using elastic sewing thread for securing guides for testing.

Regards,
Joe

90% of my fly builds are for stripers in the surf. I only use REC single foot heavy wire recoils for the runners. I also use their Recoil tip-top. MAkes a big difference in performance. All runners are the same size.
I have experimented with both #3's and #4's - I see no difference.

You can use the REC Recoil stripper in #20 and the next in a #12. I use the #20 not for its opening but because it keeps the line off the blank.

I also use the Fuji TSVSG (being discontinued) for stripper in a #16. next guide a #12. I like those because they keep the line farthest from the blank. Been experimenting in heavier rods (#9 and up) with the #20 TSVSG - and it seems to give you a little more performance.

Oh - you do not need 10 guides. 9 are fine. Just watch your static testing.

Regards,
Herb