Hello,

I need help picking out the sizes and style of guides for this beautiful rod I have.

I was thinking of using the same old guides if I could find them but I believe that any guides will do as long as they are quality and look nice on it.

I have been staring at Mudhole's website and I can't figure out what sizes I need to use.

Can anybody help a newbie out?

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

I can take more photos if you need. I know these don't show much

Unless you are planning on restoring it, just take them off and replace them with some nice Alps guides from Batson. If it's going to be spinner start with a 25 or 30. Baitcaster go with 20 or 16 down to whatever size will pass any knots you use. Single foot or double foot? You decide baded on how and what you will use the rod for.

Saw the "conventional" on second look. 20,16,12.10's to 8's and 7's. Or, forget the 10's and go right to down to the smallest. Static test. Good to go.

What size reel will you be using ? If it has a high profile may need a larger stripper guide like a 25.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
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> What size reel will you be using ? If it has a
> high profile may need a larger stripper guide like
> a 25.
> Norm
The reel will be a conventional Penn 140. I will be going after anything off the coast of Washington and a few rivers possibly (once I get the casting down pat.)

With such a large reel, I would use a size 25 stripper just to get the height to keep the line off the blank. I like Fiji guides and would try KW25, KW20, KW16, and KW12 for the reduction train. You could continue with KW10 or KW8 as runners or use single foot KT10 or KT8. I would use a matching MN tip top. Some people believe that when using stiff non flexible guides a softer fiberglass rod that bends into far into the butt section, an under wrap should be used. I’m not sure if this is necessary but it is something to think about. Other makes or model of guides could be used used, such as SeaGuide, Alps, American Tackle, or PAcBay. They all make suitable guide models, just depends on what you like and how much you want to spend.
Norm
PS - I would use 8 to 9 guides total, not including the tip top.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2020 11:03AM by Norman Miller.

The 140 is not a big reel. On a 12' rod you will use more than 9 guides. Stick the reel on, tape the guides on and static test it. The 20 should be fine.

Unhide your email Brandon, I think we may be neighbors.

Norman Miller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With such a large reel, I would use a size 25
> stripper just to get the height to keep the line
> off the blank. I like Fiji guides and would try
> KW25, KW20, KW16, and KW12 for the reduction
> train. You could continue with KW10 or KW8 as
> runners or use single foot KT10 or KT8. I would
> use a matching MN tip top. Some people believe
> that when using stiff non flexible guides a softer
> fiberglass rod that bends into far into the butt
> section, an under wrap should be used. I’m not
> sure if this is necessary but it is something to
> think about. Other makes or model of guides could
> be used used, such as SeaGuide, Alps, American
> Tackle, or PAcBay. They all make suitable guide
> models, just depends on what you like and how much
> you want to spend.
> Norm
> PS - I would use 8 to 9 guides total, not
> including the tip top.

Thank you! That is much more information than I had previously.... I was thinking 6 guides, glad I reached out here...

Grant Darby Wrote:
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> The 140 is not a big reel. On a 12' rod you will
> use more than 9 guides. Stick the reel on, tape
> the guides on and static test it. The 20 should
> be fine.

What about the spacing? Could I just copy spacing from CRB guides or something and adjust during the static test?
I'm going to try to unhide my email address... haha

I guess it all in your perspective, I don’t build a lot of surf Rods especially conventional ones. An 18 oz reel that hold 300 yds of 30 # mono is a large reel to me. I imaged the center of the spool would be at least at least 2 1/2” above the blank. I do agree that the rod would do better with more guides.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess it all in your perspective, I don’t
> build a lot of surf Rods especially conventional
> ones. An 18 oz reel that hold 300 yds of 30 # mono
> is a large reel to me. I imaged the center of the
> spool would be at least at least 2 1/2” above
> the blank. I do agree that the rod would do better
> with more guides.
> Norm

I'm not arguing, just curious... I was under the impression more guides = more friction = less casting distance, or is there another factor at play that I don't understand?
After looking up from blueprints from batson's webpage, I'm going with 10-11 guides not including tip top.
Hopefully I am able to do a good job and not mess the rod up.

Distance casters usually go with fewer guides, for example the guide layout for a very powerful 13’ competition conventional surf rod uses 8 or 9 guides, with a 25 or 30 stripper. For fishing there are compromises that are make. More guides spreads the load out over the length of the blank and do help when fighting fish. A friend of mine who is into competition casting told me that a competition casting rod can be used fishing, but a fishing rod can not be used for competition casting. The best competition casters are throwing a weight just about 900 feet with a conventional reel.
Norm

900 feet is insane. I think I will go with 9-10 guides maybe.