Hi all, new to the site and have a couple questions about a swimbait build. I just bought the NFC MB808 Xray NEO blank. I have built 8 or so rods but never anything this big. In reference to guides, would standard Alps guides work or should I go to the mediums? I have a set of lights on hand...would they work? Thanks in advance.

Hey all, I know this is a relatively new post anyway but I'm bumping it to try and get an answer. I'm trying to order the guides
ASAP to catch a sale. Thanks again.

I have not used the MB808 NEO Blank, but have made some other heavy duty casting rods. I assume you will be making a casting rod. If so I have never had a problem using regular weight casting guides, they are plenty strong enough. Even the light frame guides may be strong enough. The only thing you may have to pay attention to is your reel size. If using a large high profile reel, you may want to use a higher framed butt guide to give you a good line path to keep the line off the blank to help prevent line slap.
Norm

In my catalog it says they are both rated 12 - 30 lb. line and comparable lures. That said I have a heavier rod then you will have that has lived with Fuji SV aluminum oxide bass guides on it since 1985, weights to 3 lbs., 80 lb. braid, fish to 10 ft. sturgeon, originally built it to jig wrecks, etc. in Florida. Before I built that rod I was doing the same with salmon backbouncers which is what many of the original swimbait rods were built on, again the small, light bass rod type guides.

Thanks folks, that is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the help. Take care