Hello,

Building my second Drift rod, this time for my clients son, 12 yrs old and have selected an MHX Hot Shot Hs9600 8' 2pc 6-12# rod blank. I have the recommended guide spacing from Mudhole MMX spacing doc but would greatly appreciate feedback from the group on guide sizing. There are 8 guides and I plan to use all Fuji k series. Was tentatively thinking to go 12 DF, 10Df, 8 DF and then five #6 running guides. Please give me you feedback.

Thanks for your valued time!

The sizes are fine, IMO. If you know the reel they’re going to use, you can use the calculator (Angler’s Resource has the link) and that should get pretty close on the spacing. You can also attach the guides where you think they should go and then do a static load test. That’s the best way to fine tune your guide spacing, IMO.

10 df, 6 df, then 6s to the tip. It's a light line rod and has no need for all the big sizes, this is what I have used since the late 80's/early 90's with great results. Having a Buzz Ramsey designed Berkeley Series One rod that worked so well as a drift rod set me on this path. I'd would think 9 guides are needed my 9600 is that way.

Daryl,

Got it ! Always do static test and manufacturers guide spacing is just starting point. And yes I have the clients planned casting reel, Lews and will be checking layout using Fuji concept one method. Thanks much for feedback....telling helps , Mudhole had me staring with a size 16 df which seemed to much.

Thanks for feedback Spencer! Why the #6 DF , do you mean #8 ? If #6 is right then why a DF instead of single foot? Gotcha on #guides ...on my fly rod designsvI always use rod footage plus 1 for number of guides . So none sounds more reasonable to me. This should fall out on my static load test so I'll plan to purchase a couple extra guide and see how I end up.

Russ, durability only reason on 12 year old's rod, no need to use every size, you gain nothing but extra weight and expense unless you need extra guide height for some reason. No info on line used and WX fished so I went with 6 mm runners, mine are 4 mm Alps single foot fly ceramics on my rod.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2024 03:59PM by Spencer Phipps.

Spencer,

Got it ! Years ago I watched a flexcoat video from a Rodbuilder who always used 3 lock wraps on all single foot guides for durability on clients fishing for Tarpons . Today I always use quad 4x wraps on all my single foot guides , also recommended by several fly rod designers . Curious what you do on your wraps? That side I get it a double foot guide is more durable, no question and I get the weight issue. Thanks very much for your Drift rod insight, going the direction you recommend.

Go from the 12 to the 6's. Those in-between sizes don't improve anything. If you just can't bring yourself to do it, put either a 10 or an 8 in there. Certainly not both. Not needed.

.............

Spencer,

Read the MHX spacing chart wrong ...your right the HS 9600 has 9 guides...Thanks for the heads up.

After our discussion planning:

10DF
6DF
7- #6 SF