Rod Builders (Guides & Ree seat Question)

[C-Man]

Guys,

I am in the process of building some spinning rods (never made spinning rods before, have made baitcasters successfully) and I would like to know if you can help me out, I am currently doing some research on the make/model and size of guides to use…see below:

Blanks
St. Croix (3S70MLF)
St.Croix (3S76MLXF)
St.Croix (3S70MF)

Reel Seat
Deluxe Fuji Stainless Hood Graphite Reelseat (DPSD18)

Guides
Fuji New Concept / Black / SS-Alconite
Sizes:
BYAG (30, 20, 16)
BLAG (10, 8, 7, 6)
Tiptop (BFAT6)

I have three (3) questions:

1) After much research I have decided to use Fuji New Concept/Black/SS-Alconite guides. I really don’t like re-coil guides (too noisy) and don’t see any added value (sensitivity or weight) associated with the Titanium guides for the added cost…any thoughts on which guides to use?

2) Are the guide “sizes” listed above OK? This is what I’ve got out of St. Croix website…but I have also done some reading online and other builders use “smaller” guides.

3) I am planning to use 18mm reel seat, what would you recommend as filling…I found the following (http://www.anglersworkshop.com/Items.aspx?catid=2821) arbors for 18mm reel seats…is this ok to use? Also I was thinking 18mm reel seat would be more comfortable.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[shfishinsticks]

No need to transition through all the guide sizes. My typical set-up is BYAG 25, 16, 8 then BLAG 6's (or 4's) to the tip.

IMO, 18mm is an awful big reel seat for those blanks listed. It's all a matter of preference and what feels good to you though. I use the American Tackle Aero seats for the spinning rods that I build. They are 16mm.

The reel seat arbors that you posted are what I use. They are great.

Give Karen @ Bingham Enterprises a call. She can help you out with all that you have listed. http://www.angelfire.com/ks/bingham/

[thedude]

agree with above - those guides will be too big and heavy. 25, 16, 8, 6s. i run even a 20, 16, 8, 3 micros w/ a 3 micro top. If you fish with a leader (uni-uni know) go with size 5 or 6.

the split seats from pac bay are worth a look as well. i've used several and like them a lot. Just cut down the threads to a smaller length.

[Bassn81]

Carlos, thanks for the email. Here is my take.

The reelseat size is determined by what is comfortable for your hand. I personally like the feel of the 18mm seats for my rods, the arbors you selected are the right choice. You might also want to consider the NPS seat in 18mm...VERY comfortable seat. Some people with smaller hands like the 16, that's the beauty of custom.

As for guides, the advice above is right, you don't need all of those sizes. If these are your first builds you might want to try the following.

BYAG 16, 12, then BLAG 6, and finally BLAG 4's or 5's out to the tip. That is similar to how I do my micro spinning rods...if you can post the reel you are going to use I could give a better idea of the guide sizes.