I’m currently building two inshore popping rods for my dad and one of his buddies. Both are M-MF rods. One is 7’1” and the other is 7’4”. I know my
Dad uses 2500 series reels, and I’m pretty sure his friend does as well. He might use a 3000 but definitely not larger than that. I’ve seen some setups with the KL model guides and some with the KL-H. I built a 7’ M-XF wacky rig spinning rod for bass fishing, and I’m almost positive I used a size 30 KL as the first guide in my train, but I’m wondering if I could use a size 25 or 20 KL-H. Their main concerns are weight and casting distance, and I’m thinking that maybe the smaller diameter high frame guide will get a bit more distance. Thanks in advance for any advice!

On that size reel I would use a KL-H 20, You could probably get away with a KL-H 16 but I like the height of the 20 and it can go a little closer to the reel than the 16.

I really like the KR concept. For your inshore rods I would certainly use a KL20H, KL10H, and KL5.5M for the reduction train, with KB/KT runners in size 5 or 4.5. It will cast great. A KL25H based reduction train is way overkill for the reels being used. It would work well with much larger reels, 5000 and up.
Norm

Christian

I vote for the KL20H also !

Rog

Christian, over time as you become familiar with the two "concepts" you will notice there is a fairly obvious dividing line between the KR Concept and the New Guide Concept. These days, anytime I am at or below a 4000 Series reel and at or below 30# braid I know, almost automatically, that KR will be my choice. Anything above those specs requires at least a look at the New Guide Concept.

Thanks for all the help guys! I was thinking of using size 5 runners because he ties flouro leaders straight to his braid and I want to keep knot stress to a minimum.

Norm, what would be your recommended layout for a 7.5 ft casting rod,using 14lb mono or 30lb braid. Thanking all in advance!! Oh ya, what state do you live in thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2020 05:40AM by Jeffrey D Rennert.

Jeffrey, for casting rods I like to use a KW10, or RV6 (if you want titanium guides) as the stripper followed by a KW5.5 transition guide and KB/KT runners in size 5 or 4.5. I normally place the stripper about 20” (19”-21”) in front of the reel. I put the first stripper about 10 cm (9 - 11 cm) behind the tip top, and progressively fill in the remaining space with number of guides needed, which is dictated by a static test. For 7’6” rod I use about 10 or 11 guides total. Some people will use more others less. To cut down on the number of guides needed you can do a spiral wrap. Casting rods are pretty straight forward to layout.
I live in Mississippi.
Norm

Thank you Norm. That's a bit too far from Fla. to stop in for cup of coffee!!!

We visit Florida often, but don’t live there.
Norm

4608 Peele St. Elkton (St. Augustine), Fla 32033. 772-559-1540.We'd love to have you visit!!

Norm,

Would go with 9 guides (+ tip top) on the popping cork setups? And do you prefer the KB or KT’s?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2020 01:18AM by Christian Gerstner Jr.

Christian - I would probably use 9 guides total, which would be 1 guide more than the KR GPS recommends. I do this to get get a more progressive guide layout. Concerning KB vs KT guides on spinning rods, I normally use 2 KB guides after the KL5.5M, and 4 KTs in the tip section for a total of 9 guides. Use the KR GPS at Anglers Resource to get a good starting point for your layout. You can certainly push the choke guide a little bit in or out so as to get a good progressive guide layout.
[anglersresource.net]
Norm