I bought a 14' MHX steelhead centerpin rod a few years back. I would love to build it this winter. I need help on what guides to buy? I want something top end, light, durable, and in some sort of matte finish. (Micro?) Then comes the sizes? I have the spacing after some research but stumped on sizes.
Model number is ST1682
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you Joe

Joe,
To accurately answer your questions, more information is required; casting or spinning reel, reel size, type (braid, mono, fluoro) and size of intended line. Any “guide spacing chart” will rarely be the optimum positions and should ONLY be used as a reference / starting-point. A 2-line static load test of the blank for guide placement is easy to perform and will provide the precise locations of the guides to optimize any given blank. Tell us more.

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

If you look at similar Batson blanks blue prints might be provided.

While micro guides will certainly work, I'd encourage you to give consideration to larger guides; #6 or #7 single foots.

One of the main advantages of centerpin rods/reels is that they are better fishing tools for open-water fishing in sub-freezing temperatures than spinning and casting set ups. This is due to the simplicity of a centerpin reel, and that they are easier to use while wearing gloves.

Micro guides tend to be subject to quicker lock-up of ice, kind of defeating one of the advantages of a centerpin.

In addition, given how baits are presented, and the situations where centerpin float fishing done, casting distance is not really an issue, and with a float, neither is sensitivity, giving irrelevance to the advantages of using microguides.

Weigh the possibility that you may occasionally be threading the rod with cold hands or while wearing gloves as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2022 04:24PM by Joel Wick.

Sorry, I missed this was a centerpin reel.

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

All good points. Yes I do fish early mid and late winter. Guides freezing up is an issue. I fish 8 to 10 lb mono with a 4 to 6 lb leader. Fish Salman river in Pulaski ny mostly.

My guide spacing comes from the manufacturer for my specific rod. They have charts for all there rods online

[www.fishmhx.com]