This will be my first custom drop shot build for myself and I’ll be using the Fuji KLH guides with 4.5 kt runners. I have seen many suggestions for the tip top, for example bfcat and fc but why would I use a casting rod tip top and not just the micro Fuji spinning tip top. Let me know what the best option is. I’ll be using braid with an fg knot flouro’d leader so I want a tip top that won’t have a tendency to hang up the light braid. Also do you add a locking wrap to the running micro guides? Is it necessary? Thank you very much!

IMHO I would use the tip top recommended by Fuji for the guides you are using. Usually with drop shotting you are not worried about casting. And yes, use the locking wrap. I used both the locking and blocking wrap on all my single foot guides.

Ray Zarychta
Glastonbury, CT

Once you learn the locking wrap you will find it adds hardly any time or difficulty to wrapping, and I recommend it be used on all single foot guides. Especially the ones with the very small feet. While the exposure to guides snagging on anything is less with micros because they are very low to the rod, it still can happen. The locking wrap makes guide pull-out non-existent.

I would use the Fuji LG that matches your guides, has frame and ring material options, designed for micro rods, and its design has the reinforcing "leg" attachments on top so there is less tendency to catch the line with the leg to tube joint.

Chris,
Until pretty recently in the scheme of things, micro tip tops were only available for blanks with a tip smaller than a 4 tube, it took years to get the tips we have now, when we did get them they were only in one frame style and they worked on everything we put them on, the same is true now, use what you want, it will make no difference on that rods performance.

It’s a no brainer, use the matching LG. They are made for the KR guides.
Norm

[www.fujitackle.eu]

Are locking wraps necessary .....no, but they aren't a bad thing either , i do not use a locking wrap even with size 5 KT's for the running guides on my surf rods but to each their own as they say . I like the Fuji titanium torzite tip tops because they're exceptionally light and slick and i found one that had a size 6 ring instead of the larger size 8 and 10 tip top ring sizes that others prefer. In regards to your rod i would select a size 5 or 5.5 tip top since you're using 4.5 runners which is a fantastic choice by the way, not sure if Fuji offers tip tops with the "F" designation in the size you need but if they do the "Flange" ring design offers more protection for light braid than the "R" designation tip tops offer.


I agree with the others about tip top style not being a huge issue , choose what appeals to you .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2019 07:30PM by herb canter.

the locking wrap makes a single foot guide almost as stable as a double foot guide..

How many locking wraps do you recommend? Also what is a blocking wrap?

Not sure about a blocking wrap, might be another name for the locking wrap. I usually use 3 or 4 loops. If you do them right you cannot even see that they are there most of the time. But even if you see them, that's no problem.

Locking wraps are when you come to the point where your wrap is almost done and your at the point where the guide foot bend starts leaving a gap, you now do figure 8 wraps over the top of the guide, than under through the small gap, around the blank, back through the gap and over the top again 3 times, this is the locking wrap. It is now time to do a blocking wrap, I use 3 wraps, they are just regular wraps around the blank, in front of everything, you can use what you like. PLEASE remember to put your finishing wrap loop in before you start all of this.
By the way some just use blocking wraps in the place of all above, at the appropriate time, either way the object is to make it all look seemless.

Here is a how to article from the library on the Locking wrap.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Norm

[www.rodbuilding.org]

OOPS! Didn't see your post, Norman.

Micheal, probably posting at the same time. It happens all the time to me.
Norm

I do exactly like Mr. Phipps most of the time

The only exception is when I am wrapping 1.5 through 2.5 mm guides, in these situations I will use 2 locking, and 2 or 3 blocking wraps