Bobby;
I did some more testing with the guides almost like you requested.
With out going into all the details like last time (it’s late don’t feel like doing all the typing)

Using 15 lb fluorocarbon, I set a rod up with three different guide patterns all spiral wrapped

1- 9- 3mm guides and tip
2- 5mm, 4mm, 3.5mm, 6-3mm and tip
3- 5mm, 4mm, 7-3.5mm and tip

Rod 1 casts the shortest distances by 2 to 4 feet.
Pitches shortest distances also.

Rod 2 and rod 3 cast close to the same distance on average, but rod 2 had the furthest cast during the test by 11 ft past the other. Rod 3 had the second furthest 4 ft past rod one.


Rod 2 consistently pitched further then either of the other two with rods with rod 3 coming in second

Rank by performance
Rod 1 Good
Rod 2 Best
Rod 3 better
The reason I did not do an all 3.5mm set up was because the improvement of putting the larger guides on the rod with the 3mm was so much I decided to just keep the three larger guides for the rest of the test.

But now that I think about it I should have did the test with all 3.5mm, just to provide complete info, Sorry.
I would do so, but that baby’s in the dryer right now.

Steve

Many thanks. Another variable I probably failed to mention was that I do not do spiral wraps. All conventional.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

Bobby;
I do all spiral wraps.
How many guides us using on a seven foot rod to keep the line off the blank?
I may play around a little with a conventional wrap just to see the difference.

Steve, I appreciate the testing you're doing on this and would love to see a similar test for spinning rods. I'd do it myself if I had the guides and the weather.

Looking forward to meeting you and those rods in NC.

Chuck

Chuck
Bill Batson will have a couple spinning rods on display. One with the micro guides down to size 2mm

Steve

Email sent.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

Fantastic Steve. Thanks!

I tried to explain that to my buddy the other day. I helped him build his first rod and we tapered the guides down like rod number 2...and he was saying it didn't cast as far as his production loomis that pretty much uses 3 sizes of guides much like rod number 3. I tried to convince him otherwise but he still belives his production loomis' are better.