getting ready to order parts. i want a bobber jig rod for steel head. blank will be st1203-mhx 10 ft 6-12 lb 3/8 to 3/4 lure wt med power fast action. i want to use the microwave system. it will be casting stop knots also,
Q 1 i want to run size six running guides , the stock guides dont look like micros, so what can i use? just a single foot size six?
Q 2 i have yet to find any positive info on using microwaves on a longer rod,
any info would be great, even if im going in the wrong direction lol thanks

You want to run whatever guide size/s will do the job properly. Additional rod length just means you'll use more running guides.

When you say "micro guides" exactly what size are you referring to? You want to make sure your guides are neither too large nor too small for your particular application.

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the running guides that come with the microwave system are size five. they dont look like a micro type guide they look a little taller, i would like to use size six for the runners i dont see where i can upgrade the kit. all i have is catalogues its hard to tell what to replace the runners with

Mike,

There is nothing wrong with replacing the runners of the Microwave system. You need to use what you need for the build.

Is there a reason that you want the 6s over the 5s? Take your choice of 6mm single foot fly guides. If ice up is a consideration, take a hard look at Pac Bay Minimas for the runners. 6mm minimas are a great option here. They offer a great balance between ring ID and weight.

A well trimmed nail knot bobber stop can be passed through 3mm guides, and I have on the rare occasion I want to use a bobber on my panfish rods. Clearly I wouldn't design design a rod for use with bobber stops with 3mm runners, and would likely move to 5mm guides in that instance. You will have no issue passing the stops through 5mm guides. They aren't all that much smaller than 6mm guides when you see them side by side.

Joe

Any guide ring that is Under a size 6 is Micro

Just add to the set of guides the same ones They are listed
As long as your line and knots clear the size 6 ring ??????

Bill - willierods.com

i think joe answered the question thanks. just to be clear the microwave system only offers extra size five runners, they look taller then the fly guides and what is called micro guide by other companies. looks like they may be the same size as a standard size six . its hard to tell from a cat pic...

If you are casting bobber stops through your guides, the size 5's that come with the microwave are too small. I actually move up to size 6 minima's or size 7 standard if a customer is casting bobber stops through the guides. For weight, this is an application I would consider minimas in a size 6 to perform well in your case.

For those that don't bobber fish for steelhead, many anglers use a bobber stop attached to the main line constructed of braid or light dacron with the tag ends sticking out a bit. The stop sets the depth of the offering under the bobber, which may be 6 feet or so, and would be difficult to cast with a fixed bobber. This means that the bobber stop has to go through some or all of the running guides when casting.

Let us know what you decide!

Terry

Mike,

So you can see some guides in relative sizes. Here are some guides from various suppliers in sizes 4mm-6mm.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Joe

Unless your knots are really large, the 5 mm guides that come with the Microwave set should work fine. Give them a try.

If you don;t want to get a set what about this butt guide and you can add what you want as runners ??

[www.swamplandtackle.com]

Bill - willierods.com

Well, my reply is probably, but what is the point? Just have $ burning a hole in your pocket? The main benefit of using micros is to lighten the rod for more sensitivity. Unless you have figured out a way to feel a jig underneath a bobber, you are probably just thinking about a build that will just end up limiting you at some point. Your bobber stops may be more prone to hang, and if that happens with a fish on while trying to land it at your feet, game over. Also, good luck if you are fishing in below freezing weather, any ice up, casting becomes tough quickly.
I like thinking outside the box also, but not to the point of limiting functionality for its intended purpose. Regardless, have fun with your build.

i want to use the microwave system for smoother and longer casting. the microes are part of the system. i tie my own bobber stops any size i want theres really no cure for ice up. if i go up on the runners it will help. when it gets to bad i use another rod that has some big fuji guides on it but it freezes too.

got my order from mud hole, really suprized at how small the microwave guides are. going with size sixes for the runners. thanks for the help.. so far lol