I am building a crankbait rod on a revcb70mh Rainshadow rod blank. I ordered 5 of the Fuji size 6 L all purpose BLAG guides for the running guides. When receiving the order the guide height seems to close to the blank. Is this something to be concerned about or are these the correct guide for this application. Thanks

There can be advantages in having a lower guide height in certain situations. On spinning rods this is fine for running guides. On casting rods it will tend to reduce the tendency of the rod to twist or torque under load (but will not eliminate it) although this may require using a guide or two more than that you could get away with if using higher framed guides. Everything tends to be a bit of a compromise.

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The size 6 BLAG are commonly used in NGC casting rod builds as running guides. Their low profile is not a problem at all, and as Tom mentioned may actually be beneficial. How many and what sizes are you using for the stripper and transition guides. In my opinion, for a 7’ rod the minimum number of guides for a NGC layout would be 7 guides total, more commonly 8 guides total would be used, and in some cases up to 9 guides. Can use fewer guides if you do a spiral wrap. The Fuji K series guides can also be used in NGC layouts, and they are also low profile guides.
Norm

I've built on the Rainshadow RX7 CB66MH. The Revelation series is an upgraded version of the RX7 series. They are really nice blanks. Of course if you already have yours in hand, you know that already. lol

As far as the size 6 BLAG guides go, they'll be fine, but with that blank I don't know that 5 will be enough. I'm assuming you'll be using a 3 guide reduction train? 3 double foot guides then to the single foot BLAG's? I personally go with a BLNAG 10, then to a BLNAG 8, then finally to a BLNAG 6 as the reduction train. You don't need the three step reduction train, but I use it because it looks right, and the third double foot guide gives you more height farther down the blank, which is going to help you some with the number of running guides you'll need. I personally use size 4.5 BLAGs as running guides just to cut the weight down in that section of the blank, but as said earlier, 6's for running guides will be fine.

I use static load for guide placement. That, and how closely you want the path of the line to follow the blank, are going to tell you how many running guides you need. Also whether or not you mind if the line touches the blank in between guides. I personally position the guides so the line won't touch the blank, (just my personal preference) but many people will position them so the line will touch the blank. Letting the line touch the blank may cut down on the number of running guides you use, it may not. You definitely don't want the line to pass below the blank though

Placing the guides using static load is the best way, but I can tell you that with that blank, and really probably any crankbait blank, it is going to result in guides spaced unlike any factory rod you've probably ever seen. It's because of the action and the power of the blank. Most of the flex in that blank is going in the middle third of the blank. That means you're going to have some odd spacing's. I'll give you an example ..... measuring the tip towards the butt on the rod I built on the CB66MH blank .....tip to 1st guide, 3.875, 1st to 2nd guide, 3.875. 2nd to 3rd guide, 4.375. 3rd to 4th guide, 4.250. 4th guide to 5th guide, 4.125. 5th guide to 6th, 4.500. And 6th to 7th guide, 4.500.

As you can see the spacing got closer together further down the blank. Now on this particular rod I used #5 BLAG's as running guides. Also as I said I don't let the line touch the blank. Your measurements won't be the same, I merely am trying to show you how the flex in the blank spaces the guides differently. If it were me I would resist the urge to make all of the spaces between the guides "look pretty" and let static loading place them for you.

Also about the rod I was measuring ..... I trimmed 6" off the butt of the blank to make the rod 6' long. I have 6 running guides on this particular rod. The 7th guide from the tip on the rod I am referencing is the beginning of my reduction guides, so it's a double foot BLNAG 6. You're going to have another probably 8" of blank to deal with. I say 8" because of where you'll most likely have your reel seat positioned versus where mine is. I have a 7" rear grip on this particular rod. My guess is you'll be around 9.5 - 10" I would think you're going to need at least 1 more running guide and maybe 2 or 3, depending out you space them.


Anyhow, sorry for the long post. I just wanted to explain why I think you'll need more running guides. And you are going to love that blank. the 1 oz upper lure weight range is probably going to be pushing it, but it will throw 3/4 and 5/8 oz baits, great. And it will really keep the fish buttoned up. It will be an awesome rattle trap style bait rod as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2017 05:35PM by David Baylor.

Guys thanks for the reply. David I understand what you are talking about with the spacing. I have 8 guides total so it looks like I will be picking up a couple more guides. This rod is replacing the original ch70mh rod blank that was stepped on and broken. My plan was for a double foot guides of 12 - 10 then singles of 7 - 6 - 6- 6 - 6 - 6. I might have to rethink this set up. Dan