Hello,
I'm ready to place my guides and had a few questions. I'm setting this up as a casting rod. I planned on using the following sizes 8 double, 6 single, and the rest 5's. After reading the rod building box that came with the kit I hope I didn't go to small on the first guide. I know I need to static test the rod to layout the rest of the guides but the first guide has me a little confused. Do I just get it close and static test it and try to keep the line in the center of the guide no matter where the line is on the reel? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jason

Jason,

Here is Mudhole's Guide Spacing recommendations:

MB843-MHX 3 1/8 6 15/16 11 7/16 16 13/16 23 3/8 31 1/8 40 1/2 51 3/4.

Their Guide Spacing recommendation chart is available in PDF format on their web site.

The MB843 is a great blank. I use it we all kinds of baits. A good all around blank that you'll enjoy.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

If you mean that should you have the line passing directly through the center of the guide without it touching any part of the ceramic ring?

Hopefully someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but that's most likely not going to happen unless it's a guide with a taller frame, or you move the guide further from the reel than what would normally be called for. The line is going to touch the ring at the top.

Jason,
When I set up a casting rod, I almost always set the first guide at 20 inches. Then, with the reel on the rod that I am going to use thread line through the guides and both pull out and reel line in on a semi tight line.

I like to adjust the height of the first guide by a guide selection for size and or height, such that the line does not rub on the first guide, either when casting or reeling back in on a straight unloaded rod.

But, if the rod is loaded,it is possible that the line will now be pulled down a bit so that it may rub on the bottom of the first guide as the line is reeled in under some pressure.

Be safe