Hi all,
I like Tom's 27x method of getting initial guide placement for my spinning rods. But for my rods that use 4-6 lb. line, or maybe even ones for braid, I'd like to go one size smaller with the stripper guide. But doing so places the stripper guide too far out. On my current crappie jigging rod I'm planning for a Shimano 1000 reel which would call for a size 20 (Minima) guide but I'm thinking a 16 would be sufficient for 6 lb. line. Is there a guideline for how I should determine a choker location that puts the 16 at a more reasonable distance??

John Shear
Chippewa Falls, WI

John,
When you say too far; how much distance are you speaking of?

As long as the stripper guide is placed before any major rod bending occurs; you will be fine. No issue in going out to 30 inches or so, if the basic blank is not bending a great deal at that location.

Be safe

If you go with a smaller guide, you might try using a higher guide which will pull that distance back in. Leave the choker guide where it is and just adjust the butt (stripping) guide per whatever you need to do.

.............

It is my opinion that with light lines like you are talking about the issue is more about distribution of stress on the blank than casting performance. A lot like what Roger was implying. Do it so that the stress distribution is satisfied, and see if casting performance meets your needs. I expect it will. I think we tend to overthink this stuff.

John,

I am building a spinning rod with Fuji K Series guides, (High Frame, Small Rings), right now. I emailed Jim Ising, Anglers Resource, the other day with a similiar question. Here is what Jim suggested I try:

Put it, (the stripper), at 20 inches and then place the choke guide at 20 inches beyond the stripper. Position the other two reduction guides to bullseye between the choke and stripper guides. After that you may want to push the choke out to where the BOTTOM of the choke guide ring lines up with the TOP edge of the last reduction guide ring. This is where I always start with a this set up and then tweak from there. Sometimes I don’t need to move anything.

Maybe this will help.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2014 06:45PM by Donald R Campbell.