Hey guys so I am currently building a shallow cranking rod. I am using a MHX CB843-Blend. I am using size 4 guides. So I ordered 12 guides with the rod, I thought that would be enough, but it looks like I need more. My question is does around 13-15 guides for a 7ft rod with 4mm guides on it sound like an ok number? It seems to me like all the weight I am saving by using microguides I will put right back on when I have to wrap that many places on the blank. I have also heard the idea of the number of guides should be the length of your rod in feet plus one for the tip. I get that that is probably for larger guides, it is just it seems like I am having to use way to many guides. Does it sound like I have done something wrong?

Take a look at the "New Guide Concept" article in the Library Tab in the selection bar above.

Frank Balas Wrote:
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> Take a look at the "New Guide Concept" article in
> the Library Tab in the selection bar above.


Thank you, but I am building a casting rod. I mainly want to know if it is common to use this many guides on a rod of this size? I am assuming also of course that because it is a mod-fast rod it will need more guides than a fast action, and that is part of why it looks like it will need so many.

9 or 10 should be plenty. It's acceptable for the line to rub the blank a little with micros. Try to keep the line from dropping below the blank under load, and when setting up, don't bend the rod beyond 90-degrees.

Jim Ising Wrote:
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> 9 or 10 should be plenty. It's acceptable for the
> line to rub the blank a little with micros. Try
> to keep the line from dropping below the blank
> under load, and when setting up, don't bend the
> rod beyond 90-degrees.


Ok thanks. Im wondering if I was bending the rod to far then. Tomorrow I will try it again with less load. I was also trying to keep the line completely off the blank which sounds like also part of where I messed up at. Thank you!

Cameron if line touch is a concern? you might want to consider doing a spiral wrap.

I would also suggest using a larger guide for your stripper 6mm or 8mm. It will increase you casting distance

Thanks i will keep that in mind!

I'd consider spiral wrap, 8mm stripper, 10 4m runners (including transition to underside if used) as a starting point. Space the runners equally and try to maintain a straight reasonably straight line from the reel through the spiral. To stress test, begin with a light load, test and adjust spacing, then increase load and retest. repeat this a few times with increasing loads and different angles in the line. This will spread the locations out somewhat and you may find that you can drop one (or more) of the runners as you work through the loading up to maximum load. Then just test cast and confirm the line is running true and you should be good.

Jim Ising Wrote:
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> 9 or 10 should be plenty. It's acceptable for the
> line to rub the blank a little with micros. Try
> to keep the line from dropping below the blank
> under load, and when setting up, don't bend the
> rod beyond 90-degrees.


I second this idea, I have 10 guides on my shallow cranking rod that is a composite of glass and graphite. I can cast further with this rod than any rod I own to date. This may change once I finish building my current project but as of now that set up outcasts anything I own or have used.

Hey guys I just wanted to come back and say thank you again for all of the help! I ended up having 10 guides plus the tip. I am really happy with the way the rod feels now.