Micro-Guide Advantages?

[MassBass]

Looking at the bps Johnny Morris carbonlite combo for the future possibly. It has as an option a microguide casting rod. What are the advantages or disadvantages of microguide? thanks.

[livetofish28]

This topic had come up quite a few times if you search micro guides in the search bar you will find all you could want to know lol

Tight lines

Andrew

[MassBass]

So i gather there is very little difference performance-wise.

[J Francho]

Done right, they can be a huge improvement. I have a custom spiral wrapped swim bait rod with micros. It uses fewer guides and is very light, responsive and tip light in balance, which is helpful with bigger baits. On production rods it isn't as much a difference, though the Pinnacle micro I have is VERY light.

[Hogsticker]

I like something like a 5.5 stripper and 4.5s the rest of the way down the blank on a casting rod. No casting improvement over larger guides, but I think they look cleaner and are harder to damage. No loops to worry about so the larger guides are not needed. I also like them on a spinning rod if it is built with the rapid choke design. Just make sure that stripper guide is a 25 if you're running fluoro.

[Tywithay]

I haven't seen any real performance gains, but they're lighter. Having less weight, especially in the tip section, can aid in balance. It also helps slightly in perceived sensitivity.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Done right, they can be a huge improvement. I have a custom spiral wrapped swim bait rod with micros. It uses fewer guides and is very light, responsive and tip light in balance, which is helpful with bigger baits. On production rods it isn't as much a difference, though the Pinnacle micro I have is VERY light.

This is correct. The idea is to use the smallest, lightest guides that will work in an application. "Work' means they will pass the line and connections, and will hold up to the pressure (this is not a major concern for bass fishing). Every gram of weight that can be shaved off a rod, especially in the tip section, helps the blank retain as much of it's inherent properties as possible. The result is as crisp, responsive and sensitive a finished rod as you can build. Some of the problems in a production rod are that "Micro" covers a range of guide sizes which they often don't employ, they operate under the misconception that any contact between the line and blank is catastrophic causing them to use way too many guides partially offsetting the benefits, and make unrealistic claims like greatly improved casting distance. As a point of reference, a size 4 (4mm ring not the opening) will easily pass a well tied Albright knot joining 50# braid & 15# fluoro. Filamentous algae and ice build up are two conditions I don't run too small of a guide. 

[J Francho]

Mike, what I see in many production rods is an increase in guides near the tip, when micros are used. I know they're trying to keep the line off the blank, but it it seems like a wash in weight, compared to a simpler, conventional "Fuji New Concept" arrangement. Or am I off base?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

"Micro" guides save enough that you can use an extra guide or two and still have a meaningful advantage but some are just ridiculous. 10 guides on a 6'6" rod is overkill and I seldom place guides less that 3.5 apart. There's no harm in the line contacting the blank on a bass when it's loaded as long as it doesn't dip below. A deep sea rod where hard running fish generate heat might be another story. Spiral wrapped micros are my default setup for bass rods and I make changes based on specific circumstances.