Are they actually a thing or is it just a size determination...for example if I order a Fuji KT in a size 4 is that now a micro guide?

It's a general term to describe really small guides. Generally 4mm or smaller.

Interesting to note that this is not a new concept. I have store bought rods from the early 80s with tiny guides. However - the use of these small guides on bass rods caused quite a stir back about 2008 or so. I'm pretty sure it was Steve Gardner that first wrote about it.

Edit: It was actually in 2007. Rodmaker Volume 10 #4, Vibronic Custom Rods

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"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2017 10:51AM by Chuck Mills.

The tradition for a long now has been, anything smaller than a size 6 was considered a micro guide. The microguide rods were developed as a way to save weight and increase sensitivity and guide sizes down to a size 2 were being tested and used to see how well they performed.. There was quite a debate going on back then about the sizes to use that gave the best balance between lightness and performance. But to answer your question a size 4 is considerd a microguide by Fuji. The microwave guide system uses size 5 runners and they are considered as microguides by American Tackle.
Norm

Posted by: Steve Gardner
Date: August 01, 2010 08:27PM

Taken from RodMaker mag. Volume 11 Issue #5 article on Micro guides
Quote;
"The purpose of this article is to discuss the merits and any shortcomings of these very small guides which have only recently burst onto the rods building scene. We will limit our discussion of "Micro guides" to guides of size 4mm and smaller"

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

As I mentioned there was quite a debate going on at the time!
Norm

Yup, I remember all the M&M volumes. Everyone pretty much agreed the standard was 4 and under. Personally - I don't see a 5mm as a micro.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

If anyone wants some history on microguide rod development, do a search using "micro maniacs" for all dates. Interesting reading, may take you a while to read it all.
Norm

It was actually Steve who convinced the folks at Batson Enterprises to bring them in for trials. While he didn't invent them, Steve is arguably the guy that started the "micro guide" trend on modern bass fishing rods.

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