spinning rod guides

[corey90]

I have only built casting rods and now I'm going to build my fist spinning rod I would be using Fuji titanium torzite high frame guides then regular runners can someone tell me what size the first 3 or 4 guides should be before the #4 runners

[MikeK]

1000-2000 size reel with light braid 16H, 8H, 5.5L

2500 reel with heavier braid or mono/fluoro 20H, 10H, 5.5L

Smallest runners I've used are 4.5

[MickD]

https://anglersresource.net/kr-guide-placement-software/

 

This software works very well.  I don't even test cast any more; it always makes a great rod.

 

One thing you might consider is that if you build with the 20H 10H 5.5M (I've never used the 5.5L) you can go up in reel size and line from any plan that set you up for 16-8-5,5 and it will work just fine with both the lighter and heavier line, smaller or larger reel.  The difference in weight is IMO negligible since it is not on the tip.  Unless I'm building an ultra light that is unlikely to ever be used with heavier line or bigger reels, I go 20-10-5.5 for its versatility.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

https://anglersresource.net/kr-guide-placement-software/

 

This software works very well.  I don't even test cast any more; it always makes a great rod.

 

One thing you might consider is that if you build with the 20H 10H 5.5M (I've never used the 5.5L) you can go up in reel size and line from any plan that set you up for 16-8-5,5 and it will work just fine with both the lighter and heavier line, smaller or larger reel.  The difference in weight is IMO negligible since it is not on the tip.  Unless I'm building an ultra light that is unlikely to ever be used with heavier line or bigger reels, I go 20-10-5.5 for its versatility.

 

same here for me.  Since the Fuji concept guides came out that's all I ever used for sizes.  Then running guides as small as practical to the tip.

[spoonplugger1]

I've used an awful lot of 3 mm guides over the last 15 years with no ill effects and on lighter rods down to 2 mm. A 3 mm guide weighs almost 1/6 of a 6 mm guide, which has been the industry standard in the US for decades, your selection of 4 mm guides for rods has been done since WW II around the world, I have some factory G Loomis rods that are 40 years old with 4 mm running guides. This is what 12 lb. mono looks like in a 3 mm guide ring.

[MickD]

I use mostly 4's for running guides using 15 pound test braid and 15 pound teste FC leader with an "improved" Alberto knot.  Improved by adding a tightly tied half hitch to the braid tag end up against the knot.  
Ensures reliability without making the knot larger.  For the lines I use a double uni doesn't clear well.  If  you want to see the difference in recovery speed from deflection between different guide sizes run TNF (True Natural Frequency) on the different combinations.  On most blanks you'll find that the reduction guide size/weight has little to no effect, but the running guides do. Lighter the better.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The KR rapid choke is my go to as well. 20H/10H/5.5m runners…..  I have used the Microwave set from AmTack and they perform very well too. They are a no brainer to setup , perfect for newer builders imo. 

[Munkin]

On 5/16/2024 at 10:28 AM, MickD said:

https://anglersresource.net/kr-guide-placement-software/

 

This software works very well.  I don't even test cast any more; it always makes a great rod.

 

One thing you might consider is that if you build with the 20H 10H 5.5M (I've never used the 5.5L) you can go up in reel size and line from any plan that set you up for 16-8-5,5 and it will work just fine with both the lighter and heavier line, smaller or larger reel.  The difference in weight is IMO negligible since it is not on the tip.  Unless I'm building an ultra light that is unlikely to ever be used with heavier line or bigger reels, I go 20-10-5.5 for its versatility.

 

This is what I use as well based on line size.  As I am getting older those tiny guided just don't work for me.  Casing I use size 5 runners and spinning 4 or 4.5 work best. 

 

Allen 

[Alex from GA]

I use 5 mm Minimas or SSRs for my running guides.  Any smaller, for me, are harder to see and wrap.