Finally got all around to setting up this rod. Blank is a Phenix FX601-1B elixir series. Reel is a 20 series pflueger president xt 6 pound braid. As you may recall I was going for lightweight and wanted to keep guide size to a minimum. I went with Minima M in 12 and 4 low for my reduction then minima 4 runners. Total of 7 runners fairly close spacing through the tip as I have heard of some durability issues with these blanks. They are light enough and wraps will be minimal. The 12 to 4 transition did not look right at all. Wanted to drop to a 10. Of course did not have one. So I went down to a 8. Was amazed. Placed the stripper guide at 18 inches the second guide about 8 inches up which nearly centered it in the stripper. All the other guides placed based on deflection test. Rod casts as good if not better than a "properly" setup kr concept.

Made me realize it's ok to break the rules. Use them as a starting point but don't let them dictate your build. Too often I am afraid of wasting time by going in my own direction. Might be faster to go off the formulas but you might not get exactly what your looking for. Which is really the point of building your own rod. Based on everything I read this setup should not of worked very well. It did and I am on my way to the exact rod I want.

Correct. If it works, it works. I made a spin rod for my son that has only two reduction guides, a seven foot rod, and it casts fine. Light braid is very forgiving, too. I think with 6 pound braid you could tape a spin reel on a cast rod and it would work pretty well. But not as well as your setup.

Michael, i laughed a little at your comment about using a spin reel on a casting rod with braid..it is so true it hurts..i built a four foot bush rod that has 7 #4 running guides and a #6 butt guide that casts with 10# power pro about 60' and bow and arrow casts 40 to 50' a quarter ounce rattle trap..i put a shimano caster on it and still get 60'..i need to try a fly line about a 4 or 5 weight just for giggles..lol.