I am new to making my own rods, If I have a 7 Ft rod that takes a 7.0 tip top what is the best sizes for this casting rod. Also if you have a spinning rod that takes a 6.5 tip what are the best guides to use on a rod that's 6'10". thanks

I don't think you can gauge guide sizes from the tiptop diameter of the rod blank. You need to know the reel size and line being used. Try the online library here for how to figure the right guides for any rod. There are several articles on New Guide System and basic Static Load Testing.

I have built about twenty rods and know just enough to be dangerous. There are so many variables when it comes to guides. Do you use low profile or high profile reels? Do you use braid? Do you want this rod to be a single purpose such as jigs with braid or do you want to be able to use it for many purposes, types of line and baits? What do I want to do with the rod is where I start..

I fish inshore saltwater 90% of the time , I make rods for my boys who like to use spinning reels along with most of my friends, I use Abu Garcia standard casting 5600 &6500 . Rods are generally 6.6- 7 med heavy to heavy.

I fish inshore saltwater 90% of the time , I make rods for my boys who like to use spinning reels along with most of my friends, I use Abu Garcia standard casting 5600 &6500 . Rods are generally 6.6- 7 med heavy to heavy.

Not sure if you are looking for a layout of sizes or, just a general guide type? If it's just a general guide type to work with, I really like the Pac Bay Minima series for spinning and casting rods. For spinning rods it's going to depend a lot on the reel and line used as far as guide sizes.

On the casting rods with the reels mentioned I'd run a size 16 butt guide, 10, transition, and the rest either 6's or 8's to the tip, and I like the single foot fly 8's in the Minima's to the tip.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

About the only thing I can think of that would be universally true across guides is the weight of the guides themselves. Assuming adequate frame strength for the task, with all things being equal less weight in the guide set will equate to better rod performance. But much of the time though, there will be other overriding concerns.