If I run micro 3 running guides and install a 5 size ring for the tip, good or bad ???? what does the size of the tip do ????

Hello Richard -

In my experience the set up you describe will fish fine. To me the only downside (besides adding a bit of weight out at the tip) is that it will look funny.

I have found that I want the tip top ring to be the same size or within a half size of the running guides or else it looks 'wrong'. To my eye a Fuji 4.5 ring top looks okay with Fuji size 4 running guides. But Fuji keeps the tip tops very low profile.

In some cases, due to the extra height of the tip top guide a tip top ring a half size smaller than your running guides can actually look 'right'. That may be hard to picture but if you saw it you would understand what I mean.

But I built several the way you describe back before any good micro tip tops were available and they work fine. Those usually had a size 6 tip top ring and size 4 running guides. They fish fine, but they look like a repair or an awkward 'Franken-Rod' to me. But that is my personal opinion. Tape the guides in place, glue the top on and see what you think.

Your other option is to actually wrap a size 3 running guide on the very terminal end of the rod to serve as a tip top. I am not crazy about this from a durability standpoint but you can do it and it does work. I hope this helps.

Bill

It will work just fine. You can try test casting with a size 3 or a size 5, but I would doubt that you could feel or see any difference in the cast or action of the rod. Certainly a size 5 ring is going to weigh a tiny, tiny, tiny bit more than a size 3. But other than that it would be tough to tell the difference. If you fished in dirty or debris filled water, the larger tip might be a touch less prone to clogging up with junk.

Be safe

The one reason I would say it is good is to have any tackle like swivels go thought the ring easier That is a lot sharper angle But if you don't have that trouble Then like said one size larger can't hert
If You LIke It

Bill - willierods.com

Agree with Bill. Maybe I'm just funny or something, but if there is a significant size difference discernible between the last few running guides and the tiptop, it catches my attention and looks wrong. I know it doesn't make any difference in the performance, but, it sure as heck does in my perception.

That is why people look at a Spiral wrap And ask what you were smoking It looks funny

Untill they use the rod !!!! You have to decide if one size larger or two will work with the tackle set up you have -- That is what custom rods are all about

Bill - willierods.com