As a follow-up to my post a couple weeks ago about an ultralight guide train for braids, I did end up buying a couple sets of SeaGuide's model HLG with chromed stainless steel rings and their Adaman PVD coating. They arrived in the mail today. I am seriously impressed by these guides! I bought a bunch of PacBay Minimas last year, and was dismayed by the quality control issues I saw when I looked closely at them, so returned them. I am pleased to find a guide with stainless rings that is produced to much higher standards. The PVD coating these guides get brings their Vickers hardness up to 1100 (according to Rick Hall of SeaGuide), so I am hoping they will hold up well enough to braids.

I ordered a bunch of sizes (ring size 16 down to the 4LL) along with MKG 4s as runners so I could see them all and play with layouts. I have settled on a reduction train of HLG16-HLG6-HLG4L-MKG4. I looked at the ID of the size 4 running guide versus the size 5 Alconite tip tops I have, and the MKG 4s have a larger inner diameter. I think I will order some size 5 SiC LG tip tops, in hopes that Fuji's slim SiC rings will have about the same ID as the size 4 MKG runners. The gunmetal finish Fuji uses looks like it should match the gun smoke PVD coating on the SeaGuides pretty close.

I have the 86 inch ultralight Rainshadow blank on order, so will put that rod together once it arrives. I am looking forward to trying it out!

Sounds like fun , always good to open up a package and be exceptionally pleased with what you see . Sounds like it will work out great , I think sticking with the 16 mm butt guide was a right choice . I also think you will have an extremely difficult time trying to pick up subtle differences when you start playing around with different layouts as you mentioned you can't wait to do in your above post . As said in previous posts the best way I have found to pinpoint guide train efficiency is to spool a braid that's a little heavier than you plan on fishing with because it will reveal less than ideal spacing and sizing far far easier & quicker than it will be to discern differences when using braid in the 4 - 8 pound range.

It's a great feeling when you can put together a great performing guide train that works really well with heavier line because you know when you switch back to the lighter line that you plan on fishing with the performance will be magnified.

Enjoy

Eric,

Where did you end up purchasing these SeaGuides at?

Thanks,

Lee

Rod Builders Warehouse, stocks SeaGuide components.
[rodbuilderswarehouse.com]
Norm

Thanks Norm!

Norm beat me to it. Rod Builders Warehouse is a sponsor of this site, so you can find a link to their website through the sponsor list too.

I get the Ti frames and they have held up well. Great quality guide.

wrong post sorry



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2022 07:28AM by Marc Morrone.