Does anyone have first hand knowledge on the use of Fuji Concept Alconite guides for saltwater applications? How well are they holding up to corrosion? I build mostly freshwater rods, but have been asked by a customer to build up an inshore saltwater rod for bonefish, permit. Cost is an issue to him so I'm thinking of staying away from SiC or Zirconia and stainless or titanium.

Thanks for any info.
Brian

if you are going to build it for saltwater use you are going to need Stainless Steel frames,that said I use Alconite guides on quite a few of my builds

I use the alconites a lot. I think the black frames hold up better. They have been fine provided you always wash/rinse after use. I don't have enough time on them to say for sure but I suspect the guides made out of 316 stainless will hold up better. Fuji uses 304 stainless.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Fuji stainless steel frames will hold up to saltwater. Are they corrosion proof? No. Are they corrosion resistant? Yes. Do they need help? Yes. Clean them EVERY trip out, period. Rinse, rinse, rinse. Every few months apply a coat of wax to the entire rod, especially the guides and reel seat hardware. I use carnauba wax, but Pledge (don't use another brand, some contain solvents) will do just fine. Black chrome does hold up better than polished chrome, but it won't be a problem either way IF you follow the proper cleaning and protecting procedures.

I use polished chrome Alconites on some of my inshore salt rods. They hold up well as long as you keep them rinsed after use. Like Jim, I use Pledge on my rods periodically.

Mr. Bowers,
You may want to check out one of the new solid titanium frames listed on our website fishpacbay.com. They have zirc rings and are priced very competitively. You can find them via the front page's rotating ad banner or in the "new products" section (recently updated with other new products also.) There is a spec sheet with all the data including MSRP. Sorry to be such a salesman but they might be just the ticket for what your trying to build. Happy building!

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

I use all black fuji alconite on my saltwater rods. Never had any problem in the past few years?
You should rince all rods after use.... the saltwater is evil.... :P

Hi,

I use both Alconite black and chrome frames. Never a problem. On my personal rods I choose the Pac Bay Minima 4 guides.

Capt Neil Faulkner

I have used Alconite guides on strictly saltwater rods for over a decade without noticeable corrosion. I ALWAYS thoroughly rise rods and reels IMMEDIATELY after I stop fishing.

Guys,

Thanks for all of the great tips. I had not realized that the Alconite guides had stainless steel frames. The waxing comments are new to me also. Great info. What about Kigan? I see that St Croix is using them on their inshore S/W rods now.

Thanks Again,
Brian

Kigan has a very nice product. I use the Stainless version for running guides on some builds. The St Croix rods use a Titanium Alloy version. Both will do fine. Obviously, one is corrosion resistant the other nearly corrosion proof. If you decide to look at the Kigan guides, look at the "Z" series.

Stainless gets its corrosion resistance from a film of chromium oxide that forms on the surface when the chromium in the microstructure is exposed to the oxygen. Remove the oxygen from the surface by coating it in epoxy and you’ve removed the materials natural ability to regenerate its protective coating. To make matters worst, we grind the feet bringing Fe to the surface negating the effects of the earlier passivation

So...... we end up with exposed Fe on the surface of the feet from our grinding and a compromised protective coating caused by the layer of epoxy we applied. Down the road, the epoxy starts to breakdown, moisture gets under the wraps and voilà , we have rust.