Does anyone know if the Berkley SS304 guides from Netcraft are very similar to Pac Bay Minima's? In particular I am looking at the all chrom (ring and frame) spinning guides.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

I can't say for certain, but I believe those are Minima guides, under whatever name they want to call them.

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

Thanks Tom!

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

I asked the same question on a different forum. I was told that they are the same as the minima 3. I ordered some from netcraft and used them with an aluminum oxide tip. I have not fished them a lot yet, but no problems so far.

Marc,
The Berkley SS guides do have a metal ring in both their black and silver frames. i use them a LOT on ice rods because you can get different sized, larger rings but the guide feet are a lot narrower than most guide feet which makes wrapping them on the micro ice rod blanks much easier than any other spin guide.
Buzz

Thanks Buzz - I may order some for a look.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

Marc,
I've purchased some of the SS304s from Netcraft to repair many Berkeley Lightning Rods that have been brought to my shop because the tip and/or the first guide back had grooves in them and caused the line to fray. I've even replaced some of the ones I replaced for the same reason. It's happened with braid and without. I bought the SS304s because they looked exactly like the OEM guides on the rod. From watching this board, other builders claim that Minima guides "won't groove" like that no matter what line. So, my guess is that the Berkeley SS304s are not Minimas but rather a knockoff of something like them. Compare what you pay for the SS304 to what the MSRP of the Minima is and consider that.
greg

Greg,
I agree that your statement makes sense.
Because, I also have seen som eof the SS304s groove.
But, I have done many rods with Pac Bay Minima guides and have never seen grooving on any of the rod after heavy use.

Roger