rstumpf Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hey guys I just started building rods for my self and friend's, could anyone steer me to any good rod guide's for braided line, for use in freshwater? any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodtrader Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 You will be good with just about any quality guide, say SIC or Alconite. Fuji Alconites are the best value hands down. There is some debate about the effects of braid on the REC recoil guides, but I can't speak to it as I haven't had any experience with them other than selling a few sets. Hopefully, Matt Davis will jump in and expand. matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Any decent quality ceramic guide is going to be just fine for braided line. While many claim braids are hard on guides, they aren't. Braids are made from spun polyethelene plastic. Milk jug plastic. Its naturally "waxy". The problems people have is actually caused from the grit that clings to the line. And braid holds more grit than other lines. Some hardness values of various guide materials... Stainless Steel (SS): 400 Chrome: 800-1000 Carbaloy: 1000 Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400 Alconite : 1300-1500 NanoLite : 1800 Zirconia: 1000-1400 Zirconia PVD: 1600 SiC: 2200-2400 On a custom rod I typically stick with Alconite and above. The first set of Recoil guides I used grooved within 6 months. Casual weekend angler. Here are some photos of a guide. Wisconsin Bass angler. Two seasons worth of fishing... http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t288/Otterods/Reference/RecoilGrooving2.jpg http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t288/Otterods/Reference/RecoilGrooving1.jpg I believe he was using fluorocarbon line. I know fly anglers that have experienced grooving on Recoil and other wire guides. So, it isn't braided line that's hard on guides. If a soft fat fly line can groove a guide...I don't want to use that guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstumpf Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thanks for you help. I was looking at some Alconite guides, but being new to this this helps. So heres another question for you guys, if im building a rod would their be a time where alconite guides would not be good , or is it a good hardness to handle most any line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 if im building a rod would their be a time where alconite guides would not be good , or is it a good hardness to handle most any line? For most all freshwater applications, Alconites are just fine. Probably the best bang for the buck in the world of guides today. I don't use many of them. Most of my rods are pretty high dollar rods and a $20 set of guides isn't really fitting on a $400+ rod. SiC's or titanium framed SiC's are what I use the most of. Gold Cermet occasionally. SiC's in the same frames as the Alconites are 15% lighter than the Alconites. Titanium framed SiC's are 30% lighter than Alconites. A very noticable weight reduction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stream stalker Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I have had about ten rods custom built. All of mine contain SIC guides.........never had a problem. And yes, i use braid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookUp Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Gold Cermet occasionally. That's big bucks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
