WCCT Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 I am getting ready to build a new rod. I am building on a Loomis MB843-GLX 7' MH blank. I want to do a spiral wrap, and was wondering what guides you rod guru's suggest. I like a gunsmoke finish as far as guides go, brand really doesn't matter as long as it is quality. This is going to be my "baby" so don't hold back Quote
heathen Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 I have recently started using the Batson UD guides in 12, 10, 8 then an 8 for the bumper guide, then I finish out the rod with there 6 FL single foot guides. So far I am very impressed with there guides, they are little bit heavier than the average guides but if you go with the FL series to finish out the blank, i think it kind of trades off the weight to the tip. All these guides come in many ring colors. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 WCCT, For that blank, I would do a bumper spiral wrap with Alconites J's #10 BLNAG10J stripper, a BLAG7J #7 bumper, then finish running out to the tip with BLAG6J #6, with a BFAT6(5.0) or 5.5 tip. Sensitive and light.. On my personal builds I use all Hardloy guides, but then I'm a tight wad.... Tight Wraps!! Quote
Super User flechero Posted January 3, 2007 Super User Posted January 3, 2007 WCCT, For that blank, I would do a bumper spiral wrap Agreed! But if it were me, I'd go with Fuji Ti framed SiC. You are building "your Baby"- a $225 GLX blank, what's $50 more at this point for the best and lightest in guides? You'll need to play around with sizes some, especially to get the bumper correct and get the #2 guide to carry weight but here is a guestimate of what I'd do: TSG 10, TSG 6 bumper, TLSG 6 then TLSG 5.5's out to a 5.5 TFST I built 2 CTS blanks that way and absolutely love them. Order it from Mudhole (get a few extras) and you can send back the extras after you static test. That's how I got started using Ti, since they were expensive. Also, the Ti frames are silver but not bright like chrome. Kind of have the "brushed" look. Alconites are great guides too... would be my second choice for that rod. I just finished an BEMB 844 on Monday (with Alconites) so here is what I used: BLAG 10 butt, (BFLG 6 bumper), BLAG 7, then 6 BLAG 6's out to a BFAT #6 tip. The bumper is actually a Batson guide, I use them with Alconites since the #6 and #7's have a little height. (it looks like a TSG in terms of leg height ) They look like Alconites and work awesome as bumpers. I don't like Alconites as bumper because you don't get any height until the #8 which I think looks huge as a bumper. (and just for ReelMech, they are like $0.70 each. ) I use a BLAG 7 as the first 180 degree guide because of the lack of leg height, this allows that guide to carry weight under full load. I don't use double footed guides anymore except on the swimbait rods or ex-hvy rods, and those are just for looks. No need for doubles. In testing, we couldn't get a single leg guide to fail before each of the test blanks broke. We broke a bunch of scrap blanks trying to get a single to fail. ...lol Sorry to ramble. Let us know what you end up doing. edited to add this link: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1166650242 disregard the bickering and there are a few "nuggets" of info to be found. Quote
vtbassin Posted January 4, 2007 Posted January 4, 2007 I used the alconites on the few rods I have put together and they are great. On the spirals I used CLNAG10J, CLNAG7J bumper, CLNAG8J, and CLAG6 to the tip CFAT6. I will probably do something similar on the next rod. I like the looks of the Baston guides with the different color rings but I join ReelMech in the tight wad catagory and haven't gone with them yet. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted January 4, 2007 Posted January 4, 2007 I'm considered a tight wad by my clients here in Wichita. The reason being is I only build using Fuji® Alconites or better for them, and Hardloy guides for my own rods.... Tight Wraps! Quote
WCCT Posted January 4, 2007 Author Posted January 4, 2007 You guys are the best I haven't decided yet on guides, but I am leaning towards the Fuji Ti frames. I already put them on my flippin stik, which was actually the first rod I had ever built. I really like the looks of them. Thanks for the sizing info for the guides. I appreciate it. Quote
vtbassin Posted January 4, 2007 Posted January 4, 2007 I'm considered a tight wad by my clients here in Wichita. The reason being is I only build using Fuji® Alconites or better for them, and Hardloy guides for my own rods....Tight Wraps! Not trying to put words in your mouth ReelMech I laughed when I saw that because I get the title from the kids because they think I do not want to ever spend on the things they think are important. : Go figure. Only one more to finish college and then the wife and I will be a little more free spending Quote
Super User flechero Posted January 4, 2007 Super User Posted January 4, 2007 On my personal builds I use all Hardloy guides, but then I'm a tight wad.... Tight Wraps!! ReelMech, You don't need to explain... I thought it was a funny comment! I am pretty frugal on most things... but I let a few luxuries "slide by" on my fishinng and hunting gear. Besides, I bet you've never had a Hardloy guide fail on you. (unless it got stepped on or "rod lockered") keith Quote
WCCT Posted January 5, 2007 Author Posted January 5, 2007 Flechero, you stated you would use the TSG and the TLSG guides. I checked on these and they say they are fly guides. I don't know much about the type of guides, so are these really what you meant? Thank you. Quote
justtrying Posted January 5, 2007 Posted January 5, 2007 hey guys, this is really a Great post... it's exactly the type i needed when i started... you give specifics on sizes, etc., & it is the type of info a novice really needs. thanks for sharing your time & expertise. ...and, speaking of novice, this kind of stuff still helps me a lot! ronnie Quote
BORDERBASSER Posted January 6, 2007 Posted January 6, 2007 WCCT, I'm am sure that is what he meant. Usually, most builders use the fly guides when their rod calls for single foot guides. It is either those or the single foot V frame spinning guides. If you like the Titanium finish on your guides, look at the batson guides. The offer almost all of their guides in a TiCh finish on a SS substrate. You can get these with the zirconium rings and with the H rings for a lot less. As far as sizing is concerened I use a DF10, SF6 (bumper), DF7(first 180) and SF6's the rest of the way out. Remember the bumper guide's only purpose is to keep the line off the blank so use the smallest ring and lowest frame guide you can. TJ Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted January 6, 2007 Posted January 6, 2007 WCCT, With the spiral the running guides to the tip are fly style guides. Lower profile keeps the line directly under and closer to the blank. On a conventional (over the top) a taller profile guide to help keep the line up off of the blank when flexed for the same running guides out to the tip. Quote
Super User flechero Posted January 6, 2007 Super User Posted January 6, 2007 Flechero, you stated you would use the TSG and the TLSG guides. I checked on these and they say they are fly guides. I don't know much about the type of guides, so are these really what you meant? Thank you. WCCT, Yes, I use the TSG for the butt guide because it is almost the same height as the double foot (and PLENTY strong) I also use TSG for the bumpers because I need the height to keep the line clear. (the 6 & 7 are not very tall, but they are just enough.) I only use the TLSG as my running guides. -keith Quote
justfishin Posted January 7, 2007 Posted January 7, 2007 There you guys go again. Educating me when I did not even have to ask a question. Man, this is a fine post. This one has answered some questions I had on line guides. Thanks. Quote
Super User MickD Posted January 7, 2007 Super User Posted January 7, 2007 A great string of posts-nice work guys, but you are a little over my head-can you tell me of a good souurce for spiral wrap 101? thanks, Mick Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.