Braid on carbonlite rods

[Jiams26]

Has anyone used braid on the BPS carbonlite spinning rods?  The guides look on the small side.  Just wondering how a leader knot would go through them. 

[Mjmj]

I have a carbonlite casting rod,  with the micro guides. I use a fg knot and it goes through pretty smooth. I tried the United to unit and Alberto knot. You could feel the knot going through the guides with these two knots

[dodgeguy]

I would not use braid on any guide less than ALCONITE.

[Mjmj]

10 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

I would not use braid on any guide less than ALCONITE

I have read a bunch of articles (I'm by no means an expert) Most people, including many, many rod builders, believe most ceramic guides made today will definitely hold up to braid. 

 

Here is just one forum decision

https://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,399062,399095

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, Mjmj said:

I have read a bunch of articles (I'm by no means an expert) Most people, including many, many rod builders, believe most ceramic guides made today will definitely hold up to braid. 

 

Here is just one forum decision

https://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,399062,399095

Ive seen reviews to the contrary. It does have a 10 year warranty so your covered if you do.

[Derek1]

I’ve been using braid on mine for two seasons of hard use age and it seams fine. 

[LCG]

Use braid on both my carbonlites, one spinning and one casting. Always use leaders with a uni to uni knot. No issues at all. I remember the tag said something along the lines that the guides were designed to be braid friendly. I have used both 4 and 8 carrier braids with no issues at all. Love those rods. 

 

FYI the guides are semi micro. Good compromise between full size and micro which some say is more accurate for casting. 

[OnthePotomac]

Braid damaging line guide inserts seems to be an idea that has been out of date for quite a awhile now.  I have had a variety of rods for the last 15 years used with braid at one time or another and never experienced braid damaged line guide.  My frog rod is a KVD 10 years old with 50lb braid on the reel...no problem.

Here is a line guide hardness (Not complete) of some popular materiels used on rods.

Stainless Steel (SS): 400
Chrome: 800-1000
Carbaloy: 1000
Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400
Alconite : 1300-1500
NanoLite : 1800
Zirconia: 1000-1400
Zirconia PVD: 1600
Silicon Carbide (SiC): 2200-2400

*You may also see one called Hialoy, which is diamond polished aluminum oxide

[Jiams26]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was more concerned with the knot being able to slide through the guides more so than the durability of the guide itself.  I have 2 carbonlite casting rods , which I absolutely love. Want to get a spinning rod for finess applications. 

[rawjuice]

I have carbonlites that ive been using since they first came out, with braid and have no guide damage and still work fantastic. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It depends on the actual guide, line, leader and knot. A well tied Albright joining 50# braid and 15# mono will pass a 4 or 4.5 guide no problem. I think those guides are 5 or 5.5

[MickD]

I've never had a guide groove and have used braid for many years, even on the old cheapie rods I used to use.  I have had tiiptops groove, which is why I always build with SIC tiptops.  Even if a tiptop grooves, it's pretty easy to replace, unlike  guides.  Carbonlite should be good with braid.  the FG knot is hard to beat, so learning to tie it is worth the trouble.