rod guides, reel mounts

[Gin]

I just bought a St. CRoix 10ft med action blank stick
and plan to put a Penn 550 with 20lb powerpro line on it
for the surf.

My question concerns the first rod guide spacing and size
from the reel. I also noticed the reel sits kind of low
on the rod and I'm worried about line slap.

Are there any hard and fast rules for positioning rod guides?

Is there something that raises the reel higher off the blank?

Thanks for your answers.

^Gin^

ps I sometimes need 5 oz and more pyramid to put.

[Max Huber]

> I just bought a St. CRoix 10ft med action blank stick
> and plan to put a Penn 550 with 20lb powerpro line on it
> for the surf.
>
> My question concerns the first rod guide spacing and size
> from the reel. I also noticed the reel sits kind of low
> on the rod and I'm worried about line slap.
>
> Are there any hard and fast rules for positioning rod guides? ---SNIP

There are no "Hard and Fast" rules for spacing guides. The length and type
of rod would determine the spacing of guides. For your 10' surf rod, it is
suggested that it have one guide for each 2 feet or fraction of the length,
not counting the rod tip-top.

I measured the surf rods that I have and the average measurement from the
tip-top to the last guide (First one by the reel) was 27 1/2" Each rod
manufacturer has it's own spacing specifications and that even differs
between rods of the same maker.

Most rod builders use a formula to figure out the spacing on rods that they
are building. Concidering that this is a rod already made, you have two
choices. The first is to take it back to where you bought it, along with the
reel you will use and look for a different rod, one that the reel fits and
you are comfortable with.

The second option is to seek out a rod builder in your area and take the rod
and reel to him. He would do a deflection test and be able to fine tune the
placement of the guide. The builder could also change the size or style of
guides to suit your taste or needs.
--
Max
http://www.outdoor-links.com
Recipient of the Ken Schultz Award of Excellence
>
> Is there something that raises the reel higher off the blank?
>
> Thanks for your answers.
>
> ^Gin^
>
> ps I sometimes need 5 oz and more pyramid to put.

[Sphynx]

Gin wrote:
> I just bought a St. CRoix 10ft med action blank stick
> and plan to put a Penn 550 with 20lb powerpro line on it
> for the surf.
>
> My question concerns the first rod guide spacing and size
> from the reel. I also noticed the reel sits kind of low
> on the rod and I'm worried about line slap.
>
> Are there any hard and fast rules for positioning rod guides?
>
> Is there something that raises the reel higher off the blank?
>
> Thanks for your answers.
>
> ^Gin^
>
> ps I sometimes need 5 oz and more pyramid to put.

First of all, if this rod is under warranty I wouldn't play with it
by rearranging the guides unless I know if I'd be voiding the warranty.

Also, if you need to cast 5 oz for any distance, then you need to use
conventional equipment instead of spinning. Even the heaviest
spinner is only meant to cast light stuff, like up to, say, 3 oz max.
After that you get performance loss.

On a spinning rod the *size* of the guides will have more to do with
line slap than spacing. The other way around for convench. Spinners
with large guides, especially at the collector and tip areas can create
problems. Make sure the guides have high frame seats with smaller
guides, like say, 40 mm at the collector for your 10 footer and you
should be okay.

Many of us custom builers place the first ("collector" as fly fisherman
like to say) guide between 28 and 32 inches from the center of the seat,
but this is NOT a rule, just a guideline. I have no experience with St Croix
surf rods but if your model is a Ben Doerr I have a friend who has an 8' model
and he also claims the butt, or collector guide is too far from the seat also.


--
Sphynx

[licker]

Is that rod made for a spin cast or is it made for a bait caster?

Sarge

[Gin]

"licker" > wrote in message >...
> Is that rod made for a spin cast or is it made for a bait caster?
>
> Sarge

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I should make it clear that the rod is a blank,,, no guides.

I have been thinking about rigging it for a conventional reel but
don't know which one [any input here would be appreciated]. The last
conventional reel I used was a Penn Squider but am looking for
something lighter in weight.

^gin^

[Sphynx]

Gin wrote:
> "licker" > wrote in message >...
>> Is that rod made for a spin cast or is it made for a bait caster?
>>
>> Sarge
>
> Thanks for everyone's replies.
>
> I should make it clear that the rod is a blank,,, no guides.
>
> I have been thinking about rigging it for a conventional reel but
> don't know which one [any input here would be appreciated]. The last
> conventional reel I used was a Penn Squider but am looking for
> something lighter in weight.
>
> ^gin^

Penn Squidder = 18 oz.

Penn 975 International = 15 oz.
Newell 235-5 = 14 oz
Newell 229-5 + 13 oz

Capacities are similar. The new Penn 975 has no bell on the
corner of the spool.


--
Sphynx