I've done 3 builds using the Fuji K series guides, 2 sets in titanium and one with stainless steel all using alconite rings. I was looking through the PacBay catalogue and saw that they have just come out with titanium match guides with zirconia rings. They have had available TiCh framed match guides with sic rings. Both of these guides caught my attention as to possible alternatives to fuji K's.

Fast forward a few weeks and I had the opportunity to re wrap a size 10 pacbay match guide, they had ss frames with what I think are hialoy rings. Out of curiosity I weighed the guide. I was shocked to find it weighed ~13.1 grains. Fuji k's in a size 10 high frame in stainless steel weigh ~22 grains and in titanium ~14.8grains. The pacbay guide is just 3mm shorter in height than the fuij guide. The fuji does have a 4.5mm longer foot.

So the $1.66 guide weighs less than my $9.39 titanium guide, I'm not too thrilled about that.


Switching to match guides I'd give up the tangle free technology, which isn't a big deal for me. I don't use braid and was originally drawn to the weight savings of the k series guides using fuji's guide placement. From what I've read zirconia is similar to alconite so that is a draw. Are there any other differences that I'm not aware of between the match and k series guides? I think evening using titanium framed match guides it would cost 50% of what the equivalent fuji's do.

the minimas are lighter than the original M frame and the titanium minimas are very light. I haven't weighed them, but Vic Cutter handed me a set at the ICRBE and I could tell immediately the difference in my hand

I have use lots of Pac Bay match guides with mono and braid - they always worked well. Go with Titanium Minima's and you'll lighten that rod enough you'll really notice it.

depends on how much abuse the rod will get, I use both, fujis will hold up to a lot more abuse, where as the pac bays can easily be bent. If its a bass rod I always use fujis K series, rod lockers and bass fisherman are tough on guides.

Pac Bay guides have been used on the best manufacturer"s rods for a long time, including the match guides.