Hi all!
I build mostly 15-30lb, 20-40lb and 20-50lb saltwater rods. I had dismissed the pac bay minima guides as a "freshwater" thing. However recently I bought some to try on one of my projects where I will be using a 20-50lb Muskie blank to throw live bait for stripers with 25lb test mono. In this case I am concerned with the strength of the frame of the guide. Also I will be building a new blackfish rod and I will be using braid. Here I am concerned with the ring of the guide. Chrome right? Hmm... I have read several old threads about the 3 and 4 series guides but could never get a conclusive answer if I can use these for my applications. Hoping some more time has passed and the jury will be in on if these guides hold up in moderate saltwater fishing....

I'd look at the new Minima Ti frame guides if I was going saltwater. A little stronger and lighter. I really can't give you an upper limit as to their use as nothing I've done with them has been heavier than medium duty striper rods, although they have held up fine for that. In the double foot models, I suspect they'll handle more than you might think.

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

My personal thoughts...I'd use the Minimas where prime importance was the lightest possible guide combined with the biggest possible opening. It doesn't sound like either is a priority for you.

You might look at REC recoils for the muskie blank. Should be light, close to impossible to break, and very corrosion resistant.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

The Tich pac buy guides will work very well for your application.

Be safe

Hi,

Why do I use Minima 4 spin and casting guides? Because the rings can not fall out or be broken. Saves me and my customers the cost and time of having guides replaced. They work! I use them on rods rated to 40# class line.

Yes I do use braid and no damage to the rings.

The guides may sing when reeling in a heavy weight/fish.

Capt Neil Faulkner

By the way, as a general rule - do NOT use minima 3 guides.

Minima 3 guides are single swaged, but minima 4 guides are double swaged.

The result is that minima 4 - present a smooth face to both sides of the guide. Now and then with the single swaged minima 3 guides, you might find a sharp spot on the side of the guide that is not swaged.

Be safe

In Minima 4 take à look at the swagged insert, sometime you need to throw one guide in the trash bin, but it's my go to guides.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm gonna give these a shot!

This question about Minima seems to come up about every six months or so and I would like to clarify the actual difference between the two methods of construction. To begin with, all Minima rings are double swaged and all of them start out the same way, with one side being swaged and the other unswaged, ready for insertion into the guide frame. After that:

Minima 3 guides have the different frame and ring finishes applied, then the rings are inserted and the second side is swaged. The second swage on the Minima 3 is not as pronounced as the first because it takes place after the finish is applied. A maximum swage on a finished ring can cause damage to the finish.

Minima 4 guides have the ring inserted and the second side swaged before the frame and ring receive the same finish in one process allowing for maximum swaging on the second side of the ring because there is no finish applied at the time of swaging.

We don't actually use the designation 3 or 4 any longer in our Minima info. The 3 vs. 4 implies that the 4 is a newer or improved version like it was software, when in reality, having separate ring and frame colors just requires a different method construction. If you suspect that a Minima ring doesn't have enough swage on one side of the ring, simply hold a straight edge (like a ball point pen or a paper clip) on the ring to get a visually accurate idea of the swaging amount on the side in question.

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

Hi Geoff,

Explanations like yours are always appreciated and make us better informed builders.

Thank you.

Capt Neil Faulkner

That is a dame shame

If the 4's are better then the 3's

You should
I keep reading the 3's -- cut line

Make them ALL like the 4's And you will sell more

Bill - willierods.com

To all valued customers and fellow rod builders,
At this time we have been able to confirm only one instance of any Minima ring cutting line and the problem was not a result of the amount swaging. It was caused by a finishing/tumbling process flaw. I personally use Minima 3 guides on a couple of salmon/steelhead plug rods. Larger plugs (crank baits) cause the rod to undulate so much that the line in the top third of the rod sea saws back and forth across the guide rings thousands of times a day. I have experienced no issues in 3 years with these BF3XG Minima guides.

That being said, we encourage all users of our product to return any items they feel are defective for warranty replacement. This is critical not just from a customer service standpoint. Receiving warranty items lets us evaluate issues and take the necessary actions to maintain quality. If we don't get product back for evaluation, issues aren't confirmed issues, they are hearsay. Specific warranty info can be found at the following link: [www.fishpacbay.com]

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

I really like seeing your feedback Geoff.

I just ordered supplies for two builds using both Minima seats and guides.

Thanks!