Hi All,

I want to use the smallest micros possible for a 6' 8" casting rod. It's an old Shimano Compre I striped down to the bare graphite and I am re building. I will cast mostly spinner baits with it. My question is can I use a size 3 micro for my stripper guide? What is the smallest 2 foot guide out there?

Thanks

use could us a 3 mm stripper guide, but you will get better performance using a 5 or 6 mm stripper, then going to 3's.
Personally I would use a 5, 4, then 3's

The smallest Micro's possible are 1.5 mm, but if you are going to use lines larger then 10 lbs I would go a little larger at least 2.5's, and if using lines above 18 lbs I would stick with the 3's

You sure can, but one thing you will run into is a terrible line path, which I suspect is why Steve suggests a 5 or 6mm stripper. The line from the face of the casting reel will go down at angle X, then turn towards the tip, running along the blank. This change in line direction could impact line flow and casting distance.

This is one of the reasons Hydra helped design the new ZDH (Zero tangle Double foot High) series of guides by Kigan. Back when Steve first brought our attention to micros, we had all talked about something similar to this style guide - a higher framed "small" ring.

The taller guide has a 5.5 ring and is designed to work in conjunction with the 5 ring ZDH and then a normal ZD (Zero tangle Double foot) guide and transition into single foot guides. Don't let the height scare you, these are super tough, durable guides. If the height of the ZDH5.5 is too much, the ZDH5 works very good alone as well. ZD and ZDH guides benefit from Kigan's 3D press design (US Pat 8,333,030).

Suggested guides trains can be viewed here: [hydrafishing.com]

Guide specs and details can be viewed here: [hydrafishing.com]

The guides are in stock and available for immediate delivery.

Hydra Fishing, LLC

Online: [www.hydrafishing.com]
Facebook: [www.facebook.com]
Email: info@hydrafishing.com

Check out the casting recipe on the Fuji site for another perspective. A common theme in all the recommendations I've read through the years on micro casting outfits is the need for somewhat larger butt guides. And even second guides.

Hydra Fishing, LLC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You sure can, but one thing you will run into is a
> terrible line path, which I suspect is why Steve
> suggests a 5 or 6mm stripper. The line from the
> face of the casting reel will go down at angle X,
> then turn towards the tip, running along the
> blank. This change in line direction could impact
> line flow and casting distance.
>
> This is one of the reasons Hydra helped design the
> new ZDH (Zero tangle Double foot High) series of
> guides by Kigan. Back when Steve first brought our
> attention to micros, we had all talked about
> something similar to this style guide - a higher
> framed "small" ring.
>
> The taller guide has a 5.5 ring and is designed to
> work in conjunction with the 5 ring ZDH and then a
> normal ZD (Zero tangle Double foot) guide and
> transition into single foot guides. Don't let the
> height scare you, these are super tough, durable
> guides. If the height of the ZDH5.5 is too much,
> the ZDH5 works very good alone as well. ZD and
> ZDH guides benefit from Kigan's 3D press design
> (US Pat 8,333,030).
>
> Suggested guides trains can be viewed here:
> [hydrafishing.com]
> /ZHGuideLayout.pdf
>
> Guide specs and details can be viewed here:
> [hydrafishing.com]
> gh-frame-double-foot/
>
> The guides are in stock and available for
> immediate delivery.



Same guide train specs if your going to do a spiral wrap with micros?

for me yes.

jeff vanek Wrote:

> Same guide train specs if your going to do a
> spiral wrap with micros?


Jeff - Great question. The guides were designed for a traditional, on top build. I personally haven't tried them in a spiral configuration. I'd lean toward eliminating the ZDH5.5 and just starting with the ZDH5. That will be something I put on the "check it out" plate.

Hydra Fishing, LLC

Online: [www.hydrafishing.com]
Facebook: [www.facebook.com]
Email: info@hydrafishing.com

I have built probably 25 baitcasting bass rods using the spiral wrap with micro's. My butt guide of choice in these rods was the Fuji SVSG6 double foot followed by a single foot 5 and then a 4 to get the micro 3 running guides and these rods perform very well. I have also built at least 12 micro casting rods with all the guides on top being #3's including the butt guide which is usually about 18 to 20 inches from the spool face. This last year I built two St. Croix 4C710XHF swimbait rods with all #3 micro's all on top. These are my A-Rig rods and I throw baits in the 2 to 4oz size. I live and fish here on Kentucky Lake and the A-Rig rules here during the winter months. My fishing parrtners can not believe how these big long rods with these little bitty guides cast so well. Rod tip up ( worms, jig and such) I go spiral wrap and rod tip down ( A-Rig, Jerk Baits, top water ) I go all guides (Micro's) on top. I like to think about the butt guide on a casting rod as being at the reel itself. The major angle change of the ine on a casting rod is from the spool to the reel line exit on the paw if I am using the correct terms here. The opening on all my Shimano baitcasting reels is about the same as most of my micro guides. If you are building an all guides on top baitcaster why would you go from a Size 3 or 4 opening at the reel to a larger guide 18' down the rod and then reduce back to the 3 or 4 size. Again on a spiral wrap you need the larger butt guide to get the smooth transition of the line from top of blank to bottom of the blank. On a baitcaster with all guides on top there really is no significant transition issue once the line exits the reel in my opinion. Sorry my two cents worth was so long winded !!

Hi Tom,

I really appreciate the feedback! I will use this rod mostly casting spinner baits so I am going to try the all #3 on top.

Thanks

Just check Where your hand is when the rod is loaded and how close the line falls to your hand If too close use a larger butt guide Adjust as needed

Bill - willierods.com