Contemplating a few guide options for building a Neko/Drop Shot style spinning rod on the IMMS610MXF. I have a few builds on the Revelation and the old 822.5, but this new rod I was hoping to make even lighter. I have had great success with the Microwave guides from American Tackle, but was thinking if I could combine Fuji K Series with Recoil RSPG's in the belly section of the blank. Though I am not entirely sold on the Recoil, is the price really worth it. Not looking for bells and whistles, really looking for the lightest set up and functionality, as it will need to pass a braid/flouro leader knot as well. What options are you guys using on this blank, and the size layout. Just trying to get some options to consider, I may make a few rods with different options. Appreciate the input.

Here's a guide setup for that blank using our ALPS LF Guides. You can switch to the iF Guides which are a hair lighter.
1st XBLFTLG06 3.5"
2nd XBLFTLG06 7.25"
3rd XBLFTLG06 11"
4th XBLFTLG07 14.75"
5th XBLFTLG08 18.75"
6th XBLFTLG10 23.125"
7th XBLFTLG16 27.625" (
8th XBLFTLG25 32.5" (you could start with a size 20 and down to the 12 depending on the reel)

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

I built a drop shot rod on the Eternity version of that blank. I did a KR concept guide train using Fuji T2 guides, which are the dark grey titanium with the slim SIC inserts. I absolutely love them.

The rod has a 8.75" CFX rear grip, a Forecast size 17 skeleton reel seat with woven graphite insert, Alps TRS and TRB trim rings with an EVA butt cap. It weighs in a 3.65 oz. ...

I respectfully think that with a priority of being light, a 25 is overkill for braid and 6 sizes of guides is just not the optimum setup. To pass a knot, unless the leader is over 15 pound test, a 4 1/2 will pass the knot. I appreciate Batson's response, but I think there is a much more efficient way of accomplishing this build. I would use the Fuji KR series with a 3 guide reduction set and 4 1/2 runners, but if you want to use Batson guides, use the Alps Y guides with titanium frames, probably a 20-10-6 reduction train and 4 1/2's to the end. I built a MH power 7 foot Immortal for my son, with a two guide reduction train, 20-10, then the runners, and it is a very fine rod, casts great. I think the runners may have been 6's, but if I built it now, they would be smaller.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I respectfully think that with a priority of being
> light, a 25 is overkill for braid and 6 sizes of
> guides is just not the optimum setup. To pass a
> knot, unless the leader is over 15 pound test, a
> 4 1/2 will pass the knot. I appreciate Batson's
> response, but I think there is a much more
> efficient way of accomplishing this build. I
> would use the Fuji KR series with a 3 guide
> reduction set and 4 1/2 runners, but if you want
> to use Batson guides, use the Alps Y guides with
> titanium frames, probably a 20-10-6 reduction
> train and 4 1/2's to the end. I built a MH power
> 7 foot Immortal for my son, with a two guide
> reduction train, 20-10, then the runners, and it
> is a very fine rod, casts great. I think the
> runners may have been 6's, but if I built it now,
> they would be smaller.

I am totally with Michael, that is the perfect set up. I have used 4s for runners and could still pass a double uni knot with 20# braid and 20# Fluorocarbon leader. Not much difference between the 4s and 4.5s runners. I would not go any bigger than a 5 mm ring. Also though with 4s I will use a 4.5 tip top ring.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2020 06:24PM by Lance Schreckenbach.

What do u think of Fuji KL-H guides in sizes 16, 8, and 5.5, as stripper and reduction guides. For choke and running guides use one or two KB guides with the remaining being KT guides all in size 4.5 or 4.0.  I will be using 12# Braid to 8# Flouro leader.

That’s a good choice which will work great. I really like the KR concept.
Norm

Jay,
I totally with Norman that the KL-Hs are the way to go. Make certain the last reduction guide is a 5.5M and not the 5.5L. I typically use BCKLGAs because they are 5X to 7X cheaper than Ti with SiC or Tozite.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I respectfully think that with a priority of being
> light, a 25 is overkill for braid and 6 sizes of
> guides is just not the optimum setup. To pass a
> knot, unless the leader is over 15 pound test, a
> 4 1/2 will pass the knot. I appreciate Batson's
> response, but I think there is a much more
> efficient way of accomplishing this build. I
> would use the Fuji KR series with a 3 guide
> reduction set and 4 1/2 runners, but if you want
> to use Batson guides, use the Alps Y guides with
> titanium frames, probably a 20-10-6 reduction
> train and 4 1/2's to the end. I built a MH power
> 7 foot Immortal for my son, with a two guide
> reduction train, 20-10, then the runners, and it
> is a very fine rod, casts great. I think the
> runners may have been 6's, but if I built it now,
> they would be smaller.


Agree 100% .

Jay Burns Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What do u think of Fuji KL-H guides in sizes 16,
> 8, and 5.5, as stripper and reduction guides. For
> choke and running guides use one or two KB guides
> with the remaining being KT guides all in size 4.5
> or 4.0.  I will be using 12# Braid to 8# Flouro
> leader.


I built this blank with this exact KR guide train. The guy who got it had it up in canada for the week and couldn't stop talking about how much he loved it and how happy he was with the performance. This is the route I'd go.