So I'm doing an 8 wt. for a friend for a bonefish trip. Thinking of using ceramic running guides - anyone build one like this? If so would you go with 6's or 7's for runners? I have both.

Thanks!

I would not go with ceramic running guides-they are heavier than wire snakes and single foot, right? You don't need them for casting or handling the fishes' runs, and the lightest guides will give you the fastest tip response, which you want for casting, for distance and in the winds + best balance. Look at the finest fly rods and I don't think you'll find ceramic running guides.

I think you'd do fine with 7's, same size I have on my Dan Craft Sig V 10 wt. Salmon rod, wouldn't have built the rod any other way. Thing is you can tape on the guides and see what you think before you wrap it.
Don't know about you, but I've had better luck with bones at, or inside of 40 ft.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2020 09:40PM by Spencer Phipps.

Regarding 40 feet, me too, but my best came on a cast of about 60 feet.

Just finished two 8 weight rods for Bahama's Bonefish and I use Minima guides on them and have for the last few years. Perform well both casting and playing the fish. Obviously they keep the weight down!

REC NiTi snake guides work well in salt water - they are entirely immune to corrosion. The "regular" weight NiTi's are far preferable to the light ("lite"?) for an 8 wt. As for distance, no fly fisher who can cast 90' ever suffered suffered a bit from it. The wind tends to blow over open water -like the ocean - and quickly turns a 40' cast into a 20' cast in a headwind. When fishing with a guide for the first time I always "show off" early with an 80' or 90' cast - not for the glory but to help the guide put me in the best position to cast to a fish without spooking it. Try it. Your guide will not blame you. He will respect your skill and use this knowledge to approach fish and position the boat in the best spot to cast from.

I have been doing 7s up to the tip section where I will use 6s, on an 8 wt. KW 16, KW 8 then L 7s to the tip section and then 6s with a 7 tip top, all ceramic. You save a little weight at the tip. Seaguide has L Ti framed guides that are very light. I like the Fuji KW Torzites for strippers. 12 Guides and a tip top put the stripper about an inch from the ferule for a 4 pc rod. I am getting 90' no problems but it will depend on the blank and line your are using.