I recently ordered a blank, guide set and handle for an inshore rod I plan to build. I chose a St Croix SCIII Inshore 7'6" blank. I'm planning to use American Tackle titanium A-Frame guides with gold inserts. The retailer called me back after placing the order and said they're out of 30's for the first guide and he's replaced it with a 25. With that said, will it be a smooth, long distance casting spinning rod when paired with my Shimano Stella FD 4000 or should I change guide sets to get a size 30 for the first guide. I plan to use 8 or 10 lb mono such as the regular Trilene or 10-20 lb Powerpro braid. It's a 9 pc guide set. Any comments would be very helpful.

Always good to have more guides then not enough

Maybe some one here has a 30 you can buy from

Then this New Guide Concept [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Read up on the New Guide Concept System in the LIbrary (above) before deciding on the guide sizes.
No matter which style or brand you choose follow the NGC to determine the guide sizes.
The size of your reel spool determines the location of the Butt Guide.
That will show you the proper size to use.
The line path will determine the choke guide position.
The article will explain it all very clearly.

Forget about guide sets. They don't work well.

IMO, a 25mm is too small for a Stella 4000.

I use M style 12's for most of my builds and they actually cast better than the larger guides. If in doubt tape the 25 in place and test cast, I honestly think that you will be better suited with the 25 than the 30.