Hey guys, looking to make a spin/fly combo with single food ceramic guides.
I know that the running guides need to have an inner diameter of at least 4.75-5mm, as I will be need to be able to run my loop to loop connections for my shooting heads.
Aside from that, I'm wondering what sizes would be needed for an 9 foot mid flexing 8 wt rod.

Any thoughts?

What size spinning reel and line?

It's an ultralight saltwater rig, so 10-15lb fireline, with a 3000 sized reel I reckon.
Thanks!

Just use a microwave set, it works great

Ron Weber

Ron Weber Wrote:
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> Just use a microwave set, it works great

Don't get me wrong, I love microwave guides and have used them on my last build, but they're a little steep. I know that the airwaves offer a similar solution, but because I plan on using nanofil/fireline, I'm worried about grooving in the weaker inserts.
I also find the running guides to be too small for a loop to loop connection for some of my larger shooting heads. Ideally, my running guides would have a 5mm inner diameter

Does anyone know if guide height has anything to do with a fly line's ability to shoot?

Jason,
The only reason that the height would have anything to do with your question was that if the guide height was such that it caused the line to rub on the blank. If it didn't cause the line to rub on the blank there should be minimal difference in guides of different heights.

Jason,
IMO build the rod as a fly rod with fly guide train.
If the tip top grooves, over time, just replace the tip top with another fly top.
I don't recommend the use of inserted guides through the entire build, only the stripper guides.
Utilize double foot snakes for the rod mid section and single foot light wire titanium (recoil) for the rod tip with a standard loop top.
Casting as a spinning rod is less demanding than a fly rod. The ability to "feel" the cast stroke will enhance your casting.
I've cast several spin/fly and was sorely disappointed when using as a fly rod. These had insert guides throughout the build and the casting was slow, tedious and sloppy due to inadequate rod response.

Gene Moore