I have a friend that wants me to build him a 5' UL rod for trout. Normally this wouldn't be any problem, I'd put some KL-H/equivalent guides on there (16,8,5.5m, 5s) and wrap them all up. They however would like the REC recoil guides on there. The 1st one being a double foot guide and the rest being single foots. I'm assuming he'll be using a 1000 size reel. I haven't ever built a conventional style rod. What would you guys recommend for guide sizes? I think I'll use a REC RSGB for the double foot and the RSPGIB for the single foots.

Thank you for the help!

I have built a couple 4 1/2 and 5 foot trout rods. Don't need a very tall reduction train with light mono or even better braid.

I used a two guide reduction then the runners. I used pac Bay minima in 8m 4l then f series 4w. Works great.

Might look up the heights of the 8m and 4l and go with similar height rec guide

Thanks Michael, I'll look them up!

Lee,
Attempting to cast a light 1/32oz - 1/16oz typical trout lure with a casting reel is expecting too much from all but the most proficient bait-casting anglers. Yes, it can be done, but why not employ a spinning reel to make the fishing experience more easy and enjoyable? While a 5ft rod would be beneficial when fishing small streams with overgrown banks, a 6ft - 7-ft rod will certainly cast further in more open situations.

I'm seeing a short ultralight rod with a low frame double foot stripping guide, am I correct? He said a conventional rod, but he might of meant a spinning gear rod, fly anglers call all non-fly rods conventional sometimes. A casting rod with those little low guides and a light line spinning reel will surprise you with it's performance and 5 ft. rods aren't known to be boomers.

I also assume he is building spinning as the RSPGIB guides he mentioned are a average height spinning guide. By conventional I think he is referring to cone of flight instead of concept setup. Would not be my first choice but it should work just fine. Would probable be a easier transition and look better to use RSPGB guide after the RSGB stripper.

I was really surprised how much I was able to downsize the guides on my short UL builds. If you go with six pound braid there is no coil memory at all to worry about. Really all the reduction guides are doing is softening the angle from the reel to the runners that are distributing the load on the rod.

In my case using the 8m as a stripper the angle of the line is rather steep from the reel to the stripper. I have not measured it but I would say by looking at I am getting very close to 45 degrees.I have had no issues. But I wonder if at some point too much angle could cause problems with the line coming off the reel.

Mark,

As Spencer and Michael stated, I meant conventional in terms of Cone of flight guide system. A poor choice of words on my part. The rod will be a spinning rod, not a casting rod. The 5' rod was a specific request by my friend.

Thank you!

I see no reason you couldn't use the 4's, I have on heavier rods with no problems.

Hello to all you Ultralight Rod folks...

What can you tell me about my 66" Ultralight Rod & Reel, is there anything that I should know about my outfit??

I was born and raised on fresh water fishing from the time I was around 5-6 years old, put me on a lake and I will find you fish. My Dad let me use some of the fishing rods that he had at the time and they worked well for a 6 year old kid.

When I got older at around 14 in 1956, I purchased my first "ultra lite" fishing rod and reel with the money I saved from the various jobs I had during those early days, you figure out how old I am. :-)

I still have this Rod & Reel to this day, because I never allowed anyone in my Family to borrow them, and I still have the plastic case that came with it.... I love my Rod & Reel

First Rod: Browning Silaflex, Model #232955 made in USA Cork Handle (6) Ferrule 66" long
First Reel: Quick "Microlite" made in West Germany

PS: Check out my Forum Post above: Variable Speed Rod Wrapper Control Pedal

Thank you for your time to read my input. Regards, Richard Lucas
Lucadent@verizon.net
www.LucasDentalCompany.com