[rstumpf]

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.

[rodtrader]

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

[Mattman]

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/t...lGrooving2.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...lGrooving1.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.

[rstumpf]

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?

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by rstumpf

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.

[stream stalker]

I have had about ten rods custom built. All of mine contain SIC guides.........never had a problem. And yes, i use braid.

[HookUp]

Gold Cermet occasionally.

That's big bucks!!