At what point on stand up tuna rods would you go to rollers and not use regular ceramic ringed guides? I have to build a couple of fifty pound rods and want them light and simple and bulletproof but wonder if at this point I should move to rollers and would some of the better ceramics still be okay. Probably going to be holding at least twenty to twenty five pounds of drag on the reel.

I have used a roller first guide and roller tip with SIC boat guides in between. Works well.

You can also spiral wrap with Fuji HB and HN with SIN rings

Bill - willierods.com

I'm pretty sure that Fuji once made special trolling rod guides for rods up to 130 thru Unlimited. American Tackle still makes some pretty stout ceramic guides for offshore rods. So really see no reason why you would need to worry about anything on a 50 pound set up.

I think it is a personal thing. I put my line in the sand around the 50-80# class. That number figures in what we used to set drags at (25% of actual line strength) and how fast/hard the fish runs. I'm more inclined to go with a roller guide if I feel I'm undergunned for the fish I'm after. If I know I'm looking at several hundered yard long runs on light line (for the fish in question) I want to reduce any friction I can. I do feel well maintained roller guides do just that.

On the other hand roller guides do bring some drawbacks. More chances for moving parts to go wrong...more lever arm to twist the blank...higher initail cost...etc. Guides have come a long ways and I wouldn't feel I "needed" roller guides on a 50# outfit...honestly even back then. But if I was after 1,000 pound tuna on 50# gear and looking at fights of several hours then I would go with them.

So my answers is....well it depends:) If you put my feet to the fire.....spiral wrap and use SIC ringed guides because you want light and bullet proof.....unless you are after line class records.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I've got ringed SiC on most of my 50# rods, Fuji Alconites on the others, and never had any problems. The rods are really light and do a fine job on the fish. The only rods I have been using rollers on were trolling sticksand a couple of heavy bottom rods in the 80# + class.