Micro Guides And Leaders?

[Smokinal]

So I recently got a 7'-2" Skeet Reese jig/worm rod with micro guides. I throw jigs year round as my confidence bait and like Super Slick with a fluoro leader. Well my knot used to go through my larger eyes much easier than they go through these mico guides. I have tried straight fluoro and can't handle the memory/birdsnests compared to the braid (which gives me none). So, does anyone use a leader with micro guides and what knot are you using to connect?

[DelcoSol]

Improved albright seems to be the smallest but still will not fit through the micro guides on my Duckett when using heavier braid. This is one reason I am not getting another micro guide rod. 

[rockchalk06]

I ran the modified Albright knot and it still drove me kinda nuts. It works, but if your casting it's not to bad. Pitching it drove me nuts. I think the modified Albright knot is one of the smallest too.

[Scott F]

Here's a thought, try it without a leader.

[RandySBreth]

Micro's are a fad that will pass, but leader knots have a hard time passing though them while they're here.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

"Micro" is a generic term used to describe guides with a ring size >6mm. Than could be anything from a 5.5mm to a 1mm. 3mm are about the smallest you see in regular use. The guide size is the ID of the frame so the opening in the ring is less.  The use of smaller guides is not a passing fad, it's been common practice among custom builders for some time. Just like baits and lines of different sizes one size does not fit every application. If you tried 14# fluoro on an ultralight reel and weren't happy you probably wouldn't swear off fluoro completely. I don't know the size of the guides on this particular rod I can vouch that a #4 guide with a ceramic insert will pass an Albright knot joining 50# PP and 17# fluoro with no problem. Make sure the tag ends are trimmed flush.

 

The mass producers have figured out what custom builders have known for a while, that the lightest guide that will do the job will help squeeze the most performance out of a blank. If they decide to abandon that reasoning it only helps me and other builders but I don't see it.

[RandySBreth]

The mass producers have figured out what custom builders have known for a while, that the lightest guide that will do the job will help squeeze the most performance out of a blank. If they decide to abandon that reasoning it only helps me and other builders but I don't see it.

But the average guy doesn't care if the micro rod is .06 of an ounce or whatever lighter, and even if they did they'd probably still spool up with Big Game in the bulk spool because it's cheaper. I've seen it a hundred times.

I'm really just surprised spiral wrapped casting rods never made it to regular production rods.

[mjseverson24]

use a shorter leader like 3-4 ft unless you are in very clear water then try to learn how to use all floro at least for this one rod.

 

Mitch

[rippin-lips]

I have a few rods with micro guides and have no trouble with a leader passing through them using the modified Albright knot. The only rod that might give me some trouble is my Cashion. Smallest guides I've ever seen used on a rod. It's dedicated for spinnerbaits though so there's no need for a leader.

[Darren.]

Sorry to revive an old thread... was curious and

searching so I commented...

 

I was looking at the new BPS Carbonlite micro

last night, strongly considered it, but passed 

due to this very issue. I have no idea what size

BPS is using, but I was quite concerned it 

wouldn't work.

 

And I use 20# Power Pro and up to a 15# 

leader. Pretty good at tying a very slim, and

tight Albright/mod. Even so....

 

But the weight difference - to me - was stark.

Quite a bit lighter, the micro rods.

[Smokinal]

I went to using a Mod Albright and it does work just fine. I fish heavily rocked lakes so I need a leader all the time on anything that goes near the bottom.

[HookdUP]

I only fish mircroagic guide rods (duckett) and don't fish leaders on my bait casters only spinning rods . On the rare times I do .. I make the leader short enough that I cast with it out of even the first guide at all times .. Takes some measuring but works and gives me the piece of mind that my knot is being beaten away by my guides and reeling speed

[Big Bait Fishing]

The rods I use are all spiral wrapped with micro guides , I use straight braid on my casting rods and Izorline XXX on my swimbait rods . I have found that line clarity is a myth , I catch plenty of bass on straight braid !!..

[rippin-lips]

There are other factors as to why people prefer a leader over straight braid.

[tnt2671]

i've used this knot before , i hardly ever use a leader but this one tied neatly , snugged down nice and tight is pretty small and held up great and its super simple to tie

[SirSnookalot]

Can't dispute the strength factor as I've never tired it, it looks like a real pain to tie.  From my experience catching fish like tarpon, which do have some power, I use an Alberto knot.  Using 20# braid with a 30# leader for fish that may run up to 70#, I don't target bigger ones with this set up, I stop my Alberto short.  I wrap 7 turns up and nothing down, that's pretty thin and the knot strength, well let's just say it's more than adequate.

To me that knot is way too time consuming and overkill.

[PAGreg]

Isn't an alberto with no wraps down just an albright knot?

I use the alberto for my leaders and its pretty compact and strong.

[corn-on-the-rob]

Isn't an alberto with no wraps down just an albright knot?

I use the alberto for my leaders and its pretty compact and strong.

 

I just read about this, I was calling an alberto an albright but only an alberto has wraps both up then down.

 

I switched from uni-uni to alberto last season and haven't looked back, it is much stronger especially to impact, and also quicker to tie once you got it down.

[Big Bait Fishing]

I have a few rods with micro guides and have no trouble with a leader passing through them using the modified Albright knot. The only rod that might give me some trouble is my Cashion. Smallest guides I've ever seen used on a rod. It's dedicated for spinnerbaits though so there's no need for a leader.

You must never have seen Nano micro guides in size 1 used before !!!

[Angry John]

Looks Like no insert.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A 1mm guide with an insert would have trouble passing sewing thread. lol

[WRB]

Micro guide top guides come in variuos ring ID's. My casting rods for examples have Kagin MZ tops with 2.2mm/.090 ID. It's difficult to tie any inline leader knot that will pass through easily. In addition to that the T wing Daiwa reel level wind measures 1.3mm/.053, you don't want a leader knot going onto the TW series reel!

Tom

PS, leader knots are 4X the line dia., plus the trim tab.