I appreciate the advice on a simple tn handle for my Bushido sj68 8-15lb build. Now I'm thinking guide train. I have an inexpensive Shimano spinning reel for now, but I would like to upgrade to a higher end possibly larger spool reel in near future. I have the old castaway microwave guide but it just seems a little heavy for this build. Could I use the Tom Kirkman setup with 2 guides "on top of each other" and still have the flexibility of changing reels later on? If not I have Pacbay minimas for ngc,are they ok for braid? Btw nothing against microwaves I love them on light inshore rods. And I'll probably order the newer design for future builds.

Dean,
Your choice. Basically, you can use virtually any reel with a standard guide setup. Just set up the guides so that the equivalent of a 2500 sized reel works perfectly for it, and it will work just fine for reels from 1000-4000.

Minimas are just fine for braid.

Just use a 25,16,10 guide setup, or if running lighter line a 20, 16 10 guide setup and you will be good to go, if the first guide is a match guide to take care of the height of the reel.

Be safe

If you look at the Microwave site, it wil give a decent discription of the benefits including the decrease in guide weight vs a typical guide set. Minimas will be lighter than the typical set, but will not be lighter than the microwave sets I've used.

Spencer

Did you weigh the sets on a scale and compare Same material

Bill - willierods.com

There is not a weight advantage to Microwave compared to a properly built KR Concept rod. Of course, it will always be lighter and cast further at the Microwave site.

Of Course The sets are very good I was just wondering whitch weighted more
I would think the minamas would

At the butt of the rod it should not make that much difference and you can add whatever running guides you like as long they are set up correctly

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2014 04:43PM by bill boettcher.

Jim Ising just wondering why every microwave guide discussion you jump in on and slag the American tackle guides and the American tackle site on a whole. On the same note I don't see where the American tackle team ever slags the Fuji site or guides. Let us have a bit of professionalism here as both companies are well known and there is no need to slag each other.

Dean There is a difference in the two guide trains and you already like the MWG system so why not stick with them.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

The guy has a butt guide Microwave
Why not just add to that guide and make a running system

And i don;t ( slag ) any system ) !!!

What are ya going to do with the microwave guide he has -- Why not add to it and MAKE A GUIDE TRAIN with it

Bill - willierods.com

Bill I didn't know that you are Jim Ising. I was talking to him and Dean.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

Lol. Didn't mean to start a p contest. Here's the thing. I do have the original microwave guide. I also plan on building more inshore rods.
I'm just trying to keep my bass setup as light as I can within reason. Besides salt, I mostly fish small streams and the new river. I recently started taking my kayak to a local lake and my ultralight isn't enough . Just wanted to know if Tom's setup would allow me to swap reels, just like the microwave, only lighter.

Misunderstod your meaning - sorry

Bill - willierods.com

You can do way more for your casting performance by using 10 pound braid or Nanofil (or lighter if you prefer) with running guides big enough to pass a leader knot (I like 4.5's) than any guide train decision you can make. Will work very well for any reasonable guide train. Any modern guide will work for braid, just use a premium tiptop; that is where the grooving will occur.