Guy’s that are using running guides smaller than size 8, like 5.5,6 or 7’s, what are you using for a tip top?
I’m looking at building a 9 to 9’6” casting Musky rod and trying to determine my guide train. The blank I plan on using has a tip tube size of 8(3.2). It will be either an XH or XXH rates up to 2lbs and will most likely be running 85-100lb braid. I can’t find a tip top in 8(3.2) smaller than an 8.

If you are going to use a shock leader, or steel leader your concern won' t be tip top size as much as passing the knot or whatever other connections you may have. On my white sturgeon rods for fish many times larger than you'll see and using 3 lb sinkers I see no real advantage to going real small on the guides considering the mass of the rod and weight you are throwing

Flouro leader which won’t pass through guides at all.

Chris,
Simplify, just use size 8 running guides and tip top.

So for ten total guides you think 16-12-10-(6)8’s+tip top would be a good selection?

I'd have at least 11 guides, 9 1/2 ft rod = 10 ft., 1 guide per foot of rod +1. Myself 12, if I don't use one it's an size 8, a popular size on many rods, or repairs. I'm not a fan of re-ordering and paying shipping twice for.the same rod. I reduce my guide sizes quicker than that, you'll not notice a performance advantage with your selection and size 8 guides are cheaper than a 12. So a 16, 10, than 8 to the tip.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2019 10:03AM by Spencer Phipps.

Chris it's hard to find large tube small ring tops to accommodate musky rods. Roger and Spencer are both right on. I haven't found a noticeable difference in performance in any of my musky rods using size 8 to the tip. I never like the look of a tip top thats a bigger ring then my running guides so i typically use an 8 to the tip. When i run some of the smaller low profile reels i go with Spencers recommendation of 16-10-8 to the tip. When i build rods to be used with the Tranx 500 i prefer to use a 20 -16 -10 - 8 so i don't get a severe redirection of the line at the stripper guide with such a big reel. Order an extra guide so you dont have to order and pay shipping for one guide. it @#$%&. Once you do your static testing you may find out you need 1 more guide then you thought you needed.

"Guy’s that are using running guides smaller than size 8, like 5.5,6 or 7’s, what are you using for a tip top"



I use size 5 runners on my eleven foot surf rods and both rods are also a size 8 tip . I eventually found titanium torzite tip tops in 3.2 mm with a 6 size torzite ring and thats what i use . The super heavy line and leaders you're using doesn't really fit a super lightweight guide train however and a tip top difference certainly won't be noticeable .


Only when every component chosen is carefully scrutinized for weight savings will the end product be worthwhile not just a change of a single component . A size 8 ring for the tip top is the smallest i would go with the lines leaders you plan on throwing .

I had the same problem finding small guides for my shark rods, and I've just given up. I just use bigger tip-tops, and to be honest I can't feel any difference.

Anthony,
What Fuji guides do you typically use for musky builds? KW, MN, LN? Also, what tip top? I'm looking at building a 9' or 9'6" XXH which a Tranx will be mounted. Will KW's be high enough for a Tranx?
Thanks,
Chris

Anthony,
What Fuji guides do you typically use for musky builds? KW, MN, LN? Also, what tip top? I'm looking at building a 9' or 9'6" XXH which a Tranx will be mounted. Will KW's be high enough for a Tranx?
Thanks,
Chris

Anthony Holstein Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chris it's hard to find large tube small ring tops
> to accommodate musky rods. Roger and Spencer are
> both right on. I haven't found a noticeable
> difference in performance in any of my musky rods
> using size 8 to the tip. I never like the look of
> a tip top thats a bigger ring then my running
> guides so i typically use an 8 to the tip. When i
> run some of the smaller low profile reels i go
> with Spencers recommendation of 16-10-8 to the
> tip. When i build rods to be used with the Tranx
> 500 i prefer to use a 20 -16 -10 - 8 so i don't
> get a severe redirection of the line at the
> stripper guide with such a big reel. Order an
> extra guide so you dont have to order and pay
> shipping for one guide. it @#$%&. Once you do
> your static testing you may find out you need 1
> more guide then you thought you needed.

Anthony,
What Fuji guides do you typically use for musky builds? KW, MN, LN? Also, what tip top? I'm looking at building a 9' or 9'6" XXH which a Tranx 500 will be mounted. Will KW's be high enough for a Tranx 500?
Thanks,
Chris