Micro Guides On Spinning Rods...your Thoughts...and Mine.

[new2BC4bass]

Sunday wife and I went to Cabela's at her request.  Yeah, nice wife. 

 

I always look at rods, but wasn't planning on buying any.  Found 2 Prodigys at 30% off...one casting, one spinning, both with micro guides.  Okay, maybe a couple new rods for free would be the cat's meow.  (Had more than enough points to pay for them.)   I already have a couple micro guide casting rods, and, although I prefer standard guides, I feel casting performance is identical.

 

A member here texted me right after we left Cabela's for home.  Wanted to know if I'd like to go fishing with him.  Well, duh!  Mounted a Supreme XT (came with braid) on the spinning rod to take as one of the rods to use.  First cast had me ducking.  What the...!  Made a racket.  Cast went nowhere.  Another cast...same results.  Double checked to make sure I had the lines through the guides correctly.  Not only was the braid noisy on the cast, but distance sucked big time.  Could flip that far.

 

Tom tried a few casts.  He also checked to make sure the line went through the guides correctly.  He made a hard cast and pulled off more line in case it was digging in.  No dice.

 

Last night I stuck a reel on it loaded with mono (10#, I think.  Line came with this reel also.).  Distance was much better.  No noise on cast.  However, I feel distance is still not what it should be.  I'm seriously thinking of taking this rod back.

 

I'd like to know what the experience has been for guys that have used a spinning rod with micro guides.  Am I doing something wrong, or are my results typical?  If my results are typical, then why would a manufacturer even consider micro guides for a spinning rod?  Because mircos are hot right now, and their only concern is selling a few more rods?  I know I will never buy another spinning rod with micro guides.

[flyfisher]

i own three micro guide rods, 2 spinning and one casting all with braid.  I haven't noticed any difference in casting distance but i do seem to have better accuracy with the spinning rod than before but that also may just be in my head too.

[S Hovanec]

Sounds to me like the guide train isn't set up properly. ALL of my spinning rods have 'micros' on them and all with braid. The noise is just a function of the braid, as even rods with standard guides are noisy.

[flyfisher]

My rods seemed to be noisier at first but you quickly get used to it after a few hours of fishing, well at least i did.

[THE_Vue's]

Best SPINNING MICRO GUIDE out there are IMO the KR-CONCEPT micro guides the one's you want. Found in St.croix newest legend extreme, shimano cumara, lew's and alot of other company are starting to used this guide train.

 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Sounds to me like the guide train isn't set up properly. ALL of my spinning rods have 'micros' on them and all with braid. The noise is just a function of the braid, as even rods with standard guides are noisy.

x2 There is definitely something more at play here than the use of small guides. BTW The advantage of using "micro" guides is weight savings and the resulting sensitivity. Improved accuracy and casting distance is possible but IMO just icing on the cake.

[J Francho]

Micro guide spinners fit in my boat's rod tubes easier.  Have to be VERY careful with them, though.

[new2BC4bass]

I am use to braid making some noise on retrieve, but haven't noticed it before on casts.  The noise is not what you hear as braid is retrieved.  Based on what you guys are saying, then it would seem I definitely should be taking this rod back.  However, I will be staying away from spinning rods with micro guides unless I can make a few casts with it first.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Casting performance on a spinning rod relies greatly on the reduction guides (first 3-4 from the spool face). This where the coils of line coming off the spool are tamed to run efficiently through the running guides whether they are micros or not. On a custom build we choose and space the guides based partly on the reel being used so it's a good idea to bring the reel and test ANY over the counter rod you invest in.

[derekxec]

you should use the smallest guide that can effectively pass the line and any connections...you should also check out the microwave guide system from american tackle..i have started using these on my light saltwater and freshwater rods and they are pretty good

 

 

[SirSnookalot]

Personally I'd be sticking with standard guides with spinning gear.  The way line comes off with a bigger " loop" (don't know the exact term, loop will do), on a snap cast the braid may be more prone to hit that first guide and cause wind knots.  I think distance is derived more from the way a rod loads up rather than the reel or guides.

[0119]

How do you guys find these new guides handle a braid to mono leader knot?  Especially with a heavy # test leader like 20# which is very common where I fish...

[new2BC4bass]

Full size guides on spinning rods for me from now on.  Mono wasn't casting too bad, but the same lure on light braid maybe 2/3rds of that distance.  Doubt rod load has anything to do with it in this instance.

 

Forget 20# going thru micro guides whether on a casting rod or spinning rod.  Ain't going to happen.  I use a lot lighter line, and had to force the knot (an Alberto) thru the guides on my casting rod.  Last few guides are same size on my micro spinning rod.

[thehooligan]

I use the new cumara with the micros with no problems. I use 10lb power pro and 6lb flouro leaders at times and have never had a problem. There definitely lighter but im not sold on them yet. I usually fish my older cumaras, lol.

[S Hovanec]

Forget 20# going thru micro guides whether on a casting rod or spinning rod. Ain't going to happen. I use a lot lighter line, and had to force the knot (an Alberto) thru the guides on my casting rod. Last few guides are same size on my micro spinning rod.

Then those aren't the proper sized guides for your application. I'm using 10# Powerpro with 6 and 8# leaders joined with a double uni and I have no problems with the knot passing. The guides are properly sized for my use. People jump on the micro guide bandwagon without fully understanding the limitations. Part of the blame is the manufacturers too. They put the smallest guides on the rods with no regard to how they will be used. People buy them, they don't live up to their expectations and then get a bad reputation.

If you want to truly see the benefits of ' micro' guides, get a custom built. It will be set-up properly and you will have no problems, other than the cottonwood blooms, but that jams up even rods with 'normal' guides.

[new2BC4bass]

Then those aren't the proper sized guides for your application. I'm using 10# Powerpro with 6 and 8# leaders joined with a double uni and I have no problems with the knot passing. The guides are properly sized for my use. People jump on the micro guide bandwagon without fully understanding the limitations. Part of the blame is the manufacturers too. They put the smallest guides on the rods with no regard to how they will be used. People buy them, they don't live up to their expectations and then get a bad reputation.

If you want to truly see the benefits of ' micro' guides, get a custom built. It will be set-up properly and you will have no problems, other than the cottonwood blooms, but that jams up even rods with 'normal' guides.

First Micro rod I bought is a custom built one on an RX-8 blank...purchased used.  Bought a pair of Prodigys from a guy...on Heavy, one Medium.  Didn't know the Medium had micros.  The micro rods I bought last weekend are both Prodigys..one spinning the other casting.  I have to take what comes on the rod.

 

The RX-8 is straight 12# mono.  The 1st Prodigy Medium has 15# mono backing with 8# mono on top.  Alberto looks slim to me, but still had to be worked to get it thru the guides.

 

I much prefer the looks of standard guides.  Don't think I am capable of telling any difference in sensitivity between the 2 styles.

[derekxec]

on my light saltwater rod i use for flats fishing i use a 20lb leader and sometimes a 40lb leader and i use running guides with an ID 3.18mm and it passes the line and knot just fine...if i used a slim beauty knot would probably be able to go a size smaller

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The only way to make a true comparison between guides is the wrap the exact same blank (not similar) two times and test cast with same line, reel and baits. If a rod casts better with mono than braid the difference is most likely attributed to differences in reel spool diameter, height, and angle. In a custom build these measurements are each considered in the guide layout.

I concur that "micro" guides are not a cure all but definitely have their place. It's important to keep in mind that "micro" refers to a range of guide sizes from 5.5 down. The smallest, lightest guide that will do the job allows the blank to retain as many of it's original properties as possible. The guide needs to pass the line and connections and be sturdy enough to stand up to the task. A well tied Albright joining 65# braid and 15# fluoro will pass through a #4 guide pretty easily.