I am building a St Croix 6'3" MLXF walleye jigging rod. 2000 size reel, 6-10 lb test line. The KR calculator says I need a 16h, 8H, 5.5M and three running guides plus a tip. What do I use for the running guides? Do I need to use a KB guide for the choke guide and then my choice of the KT's or L's for the rest of the runners? If I am using a KB for the choke guide is that one of the three runners? What size runners? I am vertical jigging only, so do I use small runners like 4.5? and the tip size matches the runners?

Sorry for all the questions but I am confused.

The choke guide is essentially the first running guide.

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Running guides are up to you but with a 2000 size spinner and only 6 -10 pound test line ( Braid i assume) i would go with the smallest runners i could get away with for a variety of reasons . With the last transition guide being a 5.5 you could go with a size 5.5 KB as the choke or go with a size 5 KB it's up to you .

A KB is recommended for the choke guide and you may even want to use KB's for the runners as well since they're much easier to wrap with the wider guide foot compared to the KT's , ring sizes are exactly the same as the KT's also .




Let me give you an idea of how often builders choose runners that are much larger than necessary :

On my 11 foot surf rods i have always used braid UNDER 20 pounds and the spinner i use is a Shimano Aero Technium that has a spool diameter of 76 MM . After relentlessly testing many different guide sizes including runners the best performing setup i experienced was with a size 5 KB as the choke guide and size 5 KT runners . Remember you're using a 2000 size spool with 6-10 pound braid and i am using a monster 14000 size spinner with 15 to 20 size braid and the size 5 runners perform better than any other size i tested . Just remember every component choice makes a difference and should be chosen carefully . Only go larger if it's absolutely necessary , while many will say it will work just fine they're correct but you can make it even better if you have the desire.



Forgot to add , the ONLY reason this setup works fantastic is because of my line choice , light braid is exceptionally tolerant . Now if i ever used 40 to 50 pound braid i would have built the rod with slightly larger runners and if i was using monofilament my runners would be considerably larger . I built these rods because i know exactly what will always be used on them .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/2019 09:54PM by herb canter.

I've built several of these rods and use 5mm choke and running guides. I've also found that 20,10, 6 then 5mm runners actually performs better with a 2000 - 2500 size reels. Rule of thumb is the butt or stripper guide (first guide) should be about half of the spool diameter. The 16mm choker performed well, but the 20mm casts a little better. The reels were spooled with 10/4 fireline.

Just my opinion - others will disagree - buy both, tie them up and test for yourself using the 16 and 20 strippers and then let us know. Good luck!

A rod's casting performance is the result of many interacting factors so it's hard to nail down how changing any one part of a rod's construction will change its performance, and how much. Still, anyone who prefers concrete data and numbers to hearsay generalities would appreciate seeing hard data revealing how much benefit - or harm - is afforded by using specific rod components. Advertisers' chief stock in trade is vague generalities and snappy wording.

Are you using braid or Mono line? If using braid use the KL16H, KL8H, and KL5.5M for your reduction train, if using Mono or Fluorocarbon go with the KL20H, KL10H, and KL5.5M guides. As far as running guides are concerned, you can use any size (5.5, 5, 4.5, or 4) KB/KT guides you want. I mostly use size 5 or 4.5. The K in the guide model # stands for ‘Tangle free’ and have a ring that slopes slightly forward, and K series guides match each other. The choke guide will always be a KB, and I will also use an additional KB in front of the choke with the rest being KT guides. Concerning the number of runners to use, I know that 3 runners are not enough, and I would used at least five runners. if 3 runners are used the average distance between each runner will be about 9”, far too much. This will give you a very goofy looking guide train. A static test will clearly indicate that more runners are needed. I would used at least 5 runners for your rod, and would push the choke guide out at least an additional inch or so to 19-20” from the stripper, and place the two additional reduction guides progressively between the stripper and choke guide, and place the running guides progressively between the choke and the tip top. The KRGPS gives a good starting point , but it is not carved in stone. There’s a lot of flexibility in setting up a well reforming guide train. What I outlined is how I do it.
Norm

I was surprised to see the calculator call for only three running guides. I was going to order more just in case static load test called for extra guides.

I believe the KR GPS has problems with short rods.
Norm

I always order at least 1 more running guide than what is called for, and personally, usually 2 more. I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

As far as an earlier mention of being able to use KBs for all of your running guides if you wanted to .... be aware. KB's have a wider foot, than a KT or an L guide, and may be too wide for the tip section of some blanks.