do number of guides matter on a rod?

[bassin is addicting]

i was recently looking at some rods at Dick's.  there was a Shakespeare Ugly Stik spinning rod that had 9 guides including the tip.  it seems like a decent/average rod for the price... $45

all my rods have 6 or 7 guides.

how, or will more guides affect the performance?   :-/

thanks..

[kikstand454]

it does affect cacsting... but im not sure it will enough for you to factor it in as a principle reason to buy a rod.

if you are thinking of getting an ugly stick... might i suggest you get the cork handled "graphite lite" sticks instead of the cheaper eva foam grip ones. the weight and sensitivity difference is drastic.

dont let anyone fool you... the graphite lite series of ugly sticks are great rods for the money.

in fact i use the exclusively when i fish saltwater.

[Fishing Rhino]

The purpose of the guides is to distribute the forces appropriately along the entire rod.

That's why the eyes get closer as the rod diameter gets smaller.  That's an oversimplification, to be sure, but that's it in a nutshell.

[J Francho]

i was recently looking at some rods at Dick's. there was a Shakespeare Ugly Stik spinning rod that had 9 guides including the tip. it seems like a decent/average rod for the price... $45

Get an All Star Select instead.  Dick's usually sells them for $40.  Much better rod than the ugly stick.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Rhino is right about the guides purpose, here is how that is achieved. When we build a rod, we start with one guide for each foot of rod length +1 not including tip. We attach the guides temporarily and static test to see how the line travels through the guide when the rod is under load. What you want to see is the line off the blank and flowing through the guides in an arch matching the rod blank. If we can accomplish this with fewer guides, we remove them and save the weight. Regardless of budget, I'd suggest bringing a spooled reel you plan to mount when rod shopping if possible.

Mike

[I Love BassResource]

My goal when building a rod is to use the least amount and the smallest sized guide I can get away with. The less weight I have to add to the blank, the more light and sensitive the end product has the potential to be. The area from the top of the real seat, to the tip of the blank offers the most obvious increase in performance, pertaining to weight savings.

The primary job of the rods guides, is to keep the line off the blank while under load. Load translates to casting, fighting fish, possible lure actions, etc... A great deal of this function relies on proper guide placement on the body of the rod blank.

So in my opinion, less guides can potentially be a good thing, but not if using less guides creates problems with the performance of the rod. Line touching under load, line slap while casting, etc...

[bassin is addicting]

might i suggest you get the cork handled "graphite lite" sticks instead of the cheaper eva foam grip ones. the weight and sensitivity difference is drastic

that is exactly what i was looking at...i prefer the cork handles as well.  it is 7ft medium.

i have other 7ft rods but none have 9 guides so i was curious as to the affect?

dick and Delaware.... thanks for your input.. much appreciated...

so.... 9 including tip is not a bad thing...and should not keep me from buying.. ?

i can't see where a guide would add much weight?  but i will be first to admit...i aint no pro...  :-?

my Dick's doesn't carry the All Star.. ??

thanks. 

[I Love BassResource]

I wouldn't let the addition of an extra guide be the negating factor in a rod purchase. Depending on the rating of the rod it may be required, again it may not.  Either way your right, a single guide isn't gonna kill the performance of the stick.

[J Francho]

my Dick's doesn't carry the All Star.. ??

That's too bad.  Any other Dick's in your area?  We have three around the city, and their inventories vary.  Great rod to get you going, well made, a little heavy, but plenty sensitive enough for bass fishing.

[Paul Roberts]

Rhino is right about the guides purpose, here is how that is achieved. When we build a rod, we start with one guide for each foot of rod length +1 not including tip. We attach the guides temporarily and static test to see how the line travels through the guide when the rod is under load. What you want to see is the line off the blank and flowing through the guides in an arch matching the rod blank. If we can accomplish this with fewer guides, we remove them and save the weight. Regardless of budget, I'd suggest bringing a spooled reel you plan to mount when rod shopping if possible.

Mike

Bingo!