I have read and understand the new concept guide placement for spinning rods, but I am in the process of refurbishing a few boat rods with level wind reels on them. They were generic rods not matched to any particular reel so I don't want to just put the guides back where they were originally located. I plan on using the static test method but I couldn't find any information about locating the POSITION and SIZING of the 1st reduction (stripper) guide. I am not looking for a generic chart or recommendations on WHERE to locate it, but how to locate its position and what it I am trying to accomplish when it is positioned correctly.

Any info would be AWESOME !

Thanks,
Jon

Casting rods are fairly easy. You want the butt guide located so that the line isn't down on the blank, nor on the foregrip when the rod is heavily loaded. Now this location will vary depending on the size and height of your butt guide. You also want to try and position the butt guide, or size the ring within it, so that the line isn't at a very sharp angle as it comes off the reel at either far side of the spool.

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Thanks Tom,
Should a couple more descending reduction guides be used until the line reaches the choker guide like it is done on spinning rods?

With so little information to go on you are probably looking at trial and error at best. A large(r) reel on a boat rod will raise the line a considerable distance off the blank (since the line will come from the top of the spool) and require a larger or higher stripper than you may realize. You may also assume that what was there originally provided at the least "average" performance so your changes may only be slight. Bend the rod, run some line and place the stripper in a position where the angle between the top of the spool and the second guide (beyond the stripper) is smooth and not too radical. Then go back and make sure the position is suitable for the way the rod bends. Too far out and you will lose power in the butt of the rod (choose a larger or higher stripper that you can move closer to the reel). Too close and you will create line flow issues as the line flows back and forth across the spool.

Jim does an excellent job on describing guide size and location.

In addition, I use one more technique. After I have the guides taped in location for size and spacing, I run the line from the reel through the guides and through the tip.

I check for a couple of things. First and foremost, I would like to see the line flow in a straight line, not touching any guide at all, but just the tip. Generally, I like to see the line running just under the top of the guides on a straight rod, and just brushing the bottoms of the guides as the rod gets to partial loading. Then, I can be reasonably satisfied that the guide sizes and locations are correct.

My feel is that if any guide causes a significant bend in the line during these test procedures, the guide size or location is incorrect.


Good luck

You don't need to use a bunch of intermediate sizes. They're all so close that generally you can drop right down to your running guides, unless you have very large or very high butt guide, then you may wish to stick one intermediate size in there.

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Great info and I now know what should be achieved! Thanks !

One last question - How is this dealt with on a Tuna Rod with a huge real and all rollers guides?

Very similar, actually. Depending on the height of the reel spool and type of butt roller (top and bottom rollers are usually found on roller butt guides) you have to adjust accordingly so that when under load the line will indeed quickly fall onto the lower roller.

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Tom,
I assume it really shouldn't matter a lot whether I use the reel loaded with line or empty - Sometimes I feel like I'm build a watch instead of a fishing rod !????

No, you'll want to fill the reel and use the line as it comes off or on at full spool to help determine the butt guide location.

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Got it-Thanks Tom