so i wanted to build a rod with the mw system, but it would be a bobber rod for steelhead, that means there will be a bobber stop that has to run through those small running guides , i dont think it will work. even with the smallest thread stop you can hear it running through the guides that are a little bit bigger then the microes. so can i use larger running guides? or just not use the microwave system?

Mike,

I have successfully passed nail knot bobber stops through 3mm running guides. Granted you have to be very careful about trimming the tags to get it to work. Just don't forget a small pair of scissors or a sharp knife. You would be surprised how much you can pass through those little guides, but you need to become wary of your knot size and tag ends. The smaller the guide, the better your knots need to be.

If you are uncomfortable with the smaller guides, then bump up to 5mm or 6mm running guides. You'll still have the benefit of the MW butt guide, and a little more forgiveness in the running guides. Being a steelhead rod, if you routinely fish in air temps under 20F, I would consider 6mm guides for the runners, particularly the PacBay Minimas to help with ice up issues.

Joe

Build to pass the tackle you fish with easily through the guides.
Always.
Small ringed guides and commercial bobber stops seldom translate to a good day on the water.

You are not going to get serious distance casting with a bobber anyway so you may be wanting something like COF or x27 etc.

You could go with the older 30/8 castaway MW and use 6 mm minima 4 fly style running guides, they pass my bobber stops(but i make my own so they may be smaller than yours).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2013 08:58AM by Lou Auret.

If using bobber stops, I never build a rod with running guides smaller than size 6.

Just because you can get a carefully trimmed stop through a size 3, does not mean that you should be using a size 3 for the rod.

Put guides on a rod that make sense and make your fishing easier, not more difficult.

Be safe

You can use larger running guides and still get the benefit of the Microwave butt and transition guide in getting the line under control quickly.

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

The microwave system guides are 5mm and will pass a stop.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Is 5mm the inside diameter of the ring? Or outside diameter?

Roger,

The rods with 3mm running guides are built primarily for casting small jigs. Using a bobber stop on those rods was an afterthought, and showed me that it can be done when needed. Rods I build for regular use with slip floats typically get 5mm guides. The point I was going for is that, with care, smaller guides can be used that one would think.

James,

The 5mm measurement is the ID of the frame, and can be approximated reasonably well with an OD measurement of the insert.

Joe



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2013 03:03PM by Joe Vanfossen.

If there is a ceramic ring inside, then the 5mm won't be the actual size of the opening, only the size of the frame holding the ring. This means the actual opening in the ceramic ring will be smaller by about 1mm to 1.5mm. Rings from different companies and of different type guides will vary in thickness so the only way to know for sure is to measure the opening, or try the rings with your set up.

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

The ID is 3.2mm and should pass a thread stop no problem.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Add to your list blood knots, triple surgeon's knots, huffnagle knots, nail knots, and slim beauty knots, all of which are commonly used to pursue fish weighing more than five pounds or so. Fashion is a stern mistress.