Hey all, I’m going to build a mhx sj 842 spinner and was looking for thoughts on what guides to use. I want to stay as light as I can without using $35 titanium guides. What are the lightest cost effective guides for this?
Will be used with 12lb braid throwing top waters for stripers and bluefish.
Thanks for your help

Mike,
When (less) weight is paramount over durability, PacBay Minima M guides followed by F runners are a very good choice and are of sufficient height to allow and utilize Fuji’s KR Concept spacing. While they are lighter than the Fuji KL-H reduction guides, none the less I prefer the Fujis. However, the weight savings of the PB F running guides compared to the Fuji KBs and KTs runners is miniscule. One way or the other, a Fuji Alconite ringed LG tip top is a super choice for either (any) brand of running guides.

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

Try steel-framed reduction guides with titanium running guides. The lighter tip will make the rod feel lighter in hand. Besides titanium running guides will not break the bank.

PacBay minima, like Mark says, are the lightest. Put a ceramic tip top on it. I have a couple of store bought rods I put minimas on and they're much crisper feeling.

Mark, what frame/ring do you like with the Fuji's?

[www.youtube.com] also this: [www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2021 06:42PM by Lynn Behler.

Zachary,
KL-H reduction guides followed by as many KBs as the blank diameter will allow and KTs the rest of the way to a LG tip top; I find the Alconite rings to be durable and slippery at an affordable price. The size of the rings is dependent on line type and test as well as the reel size. While the KR Concept was based on utilizing the limpness of braided line, lower pound-test flor/mono is inherently quite limp as well. For my ULs employing a 750 -2000 spinning reel spooled with 2-4lb floro coated mono, a KL-16H, 8H, 5.5M reduction train works awesome although a KL-20H, 10H, 5.5M may be more versatile if there is a chance of using a larger reel and/or larger line. While most will use only 1-2 KBs to deal with mid-rod stress, I employ its wider, longer, scalloped edge foot as far out on the blank as its diameter will allow; but that is just me. Set the stripper 19-20in from the reel spool face, the first KB (choke guide) about 20-22in from the stripper, adjust the other two reduction guides to produce a “bullseye” (with the rod in the fishing position / guides down), static load test for the placement of the runners (and fine-tune the reduction guides). The end product is an unbeatably awesome performing rod every time!
With the exception of my extended use of KBs, what I have suggested is in line with the GPS program/software from Angler’s Resource and from a Fuji Guru, Norman Miller, from which I have learned a wealth of information.

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

"cost effective" is a comparison of utility to purchase price. "Purchase price" is easy; "utility" not so much. What exactly is it that you desire your chosen guides to do that a different make or model guide might not do?