I use a lot of M4's, but am looking at the M3's for some builds - silver frame-gold ring. Anyone have any recent experience with the M3's on the water? Found a few older posts on them.

Thanks - Marc

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



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/2016 06:38AM by Marc Morrone.

Marc,
My guess is that Pac Bay has fixed the process that gave some of the early minima 3's issues.

Some of the early minima 3's had issues with the swaging process.

One would have to order some and check the quality to see if it will meet your needs.

Be safe

I had some BF3XG fly guides in 2014 that had very sharp edges on the tip side. They were black frame/silver ring and looked great. Just couldn't abide those sharp areas. I use a lot of PacBay stuff, but I didn't use them. Haven't seen any since though. I sent one to Bill Boettcher to check out and he agreed. I've since switched to Minima 4s. But would prefer the 3s for the color choices. If anyone has had more recent experience with them please chime in.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2016 04:55PM by Lynn Behler.

I love the guides But only the 4,s If they could just fix the 3's I would use them Like said nice colors on the 3's Some builders are even using them on salt water rods and say they work well

Bill - willierods.com

I've used the 3s on around a dozen rods including one of my own & never had a problem .some of them are used daily be a couple of retired blokes always in salt water .I have put them on casting rods as well as spinning rods

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

Maybe they did fix them I don't remember reading any thing about them saying so here and would think they would state it

Bill - willierods.com

X2 on Lynn's response. I stopped using the 3's due to inconsistencies. Some guides had sharp edges. The 4's work great for me. All my builds are for saltwater and I haven't had any issues. The new bronze colored ones are pretty cool. Planning on using them on one of my next builds. MH

I just went and looked on MudHole the pacbay Minima 4 casting guides Some in the description reads - minima ( 3 ) ring Does that mean they are only swagged on one side Some do read 4 ring

Bill - willierods.com

Bill, I just looked in my new mud catalog and I see what you are saying. It looks like they placed the 3's and 4's together under the same frame design.

I would guess still stay with the 4 ring of double swag

Bill - willierods.com

If someone asked for blank reccomendations all sorts of suppliers and or manufacturers would be chiming in! No one ever seems to want to touch this topic, and this is not the 1st time it's come up. I would love to use Minima 3's at times. Has the issue been addressed or not? Its quite possible the manufacturer doesn't visit the various building forums, though they should.

Do a search of this board and using Pac Bay and see what comes up There guides and wrappers seam to come up a lot

Bill - willierods.com