I'm building a 8 foot acid wrapped 50-80 pound jigging rod (UC Wahoo). I will likely use 100 pound spectra main line with 10-20 feet of 60-100 pound flouro or mono leader. Connecting knots will be PR knots, FG knot, or a windon leader. Reel will likely be Saltiga 50 (star drag) but I may switch to a newer lever drag reel with similar height but maybe slightly more narrow spool. Casting will actually be underhand pitches using 6-10 ounce jigs. I made a similar build as my first rod and used size 10 fuji ICMNSG running guides. It casted/pitched poorly and I think larger running guides will be the answer. Would you recommend size 12 or 16? I will probably go with ICMNSGs again but will consider AT titanium Virtus Heavy.

Thanks, Scott



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2017 08:46PM by Scott Lamb.

were the joining knots the problem casting or was it casting technique ??
I toss swim baits and jerk baits as much as 18 ounces and I do use bait suckers up to 2 lb on a quick strike rig for muskies and because I can stand on the bow of the boat and use a golf type swing and don't have a problem tossing either up to 75 ft.. 8 ft rod with ambassadeur blue yonder 7000
you could mice the dia of the knots and figure at least a suitable ring size from there.
to join my leaders to my main lines I have found that a double nail knot works the best as it is the most friendly to pass through the guides and is easy to tie.
I use 80 lb power braid with a 100 lb. flouro leader and never had the joining knots fail.
as fr the guides I have spiral wrapped rods and use # 10 rings for runners and a #10 ring tip top

for your build something along this line would be my choice Fuji HN Heavy Casting & Boat Guides

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

You could also try the "slim beauty knot".

Alps HXN's. 10's should work fine.

Great. Thanks. Grant, I will research the Alps HXNs. They are 3x as heavy as the MXN. I know nothing about their rings, Any good links about them? Maybe I don't cast this type of set up well. I can cast most rods/reels very well, but I find it difficult to always find enough room to load and pitch a fairly stiff 8 foot rod. Also, the first rod had the stripper only 20.5 inches from the spool. I am going to change that and see how 25 or so inches works out. Any tips on how to secure the guides well enough to try some casts/pitches with 6-8 ounce jigs before wrapping?. I will check out the knots others have mentioned.

I am more used to surf rods using up to 80lb mono shock leaders, have 10 runners and tip on mine and it cast well. Granted this is done with much more power than underhand pitching. If I was using 100lb leader I would go up to size 12s, the weight difference is very little between the two on a surf rod and certainly on a 50-80lb jigging rod.

Really can't imagine the 10s not being large enough, but I'd suggest taping on some 12s and giving it a few tosses. If that doesn't work I would look at either the reel (shouldn't be the issue with that Saltiga) or the technique.

I use 12 rings when building heavy trolling rigs. Plenty of room for leaders much larger than you're using. I wouldn't think you'd want to go any larger.

Inserts are zirconium or an aluminium oxide. Either would work for you, choice depends on your budget. Excellent guides.

Multiple wraps of masking tape on the guide feet will hold up under what you're doing. Have caught steelhead on a 2 turn tape wrapped rod.

Thanks for all the great advice! I have been researching the Alps guides and they look very nice.