what is the purpose of rod guides?

Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

I assume you mean "roller guides". They reduce friction under load and are
generally much stronger than conventional guides.


"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
news
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

I wonder if there is any roller-guide manufacturer other than AFTCO that
makes 'wider' roller
so that swivels can climb up to your reel----
All AFTCO rollers prevent all but tiny knots from climbing up the reel.
I tied an albright knot (thinnest profiile I can think of) on 200lb mono
with 200lb power pro and
it still barely passes through the roller tip.
Swivels are out of the question altogether.
I wonder why this is not a simple matter of widening the tip, it just beats
me.

"Fred L Adams" wrote in message
...
I assume you mean "roller guides". They reduce friction under load and
are
generally much stronger than conventional guides.


"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
news
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing
up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

I wonder if there is any roller-guide manufacturer other than AFTCO that
makes 'wider' roller
so that swivels can climb up to your reel----
All AFTCO rollers prevent all but tiny knots from climbing up the reel.
I tied an albright knot (thinnest profiile I can think of) on 200lb mono
with 200lb power pro and
it still barely passes through the roller tip.
Swivels are out of the question altogether.
I wonder why this is not a simple matter of widening the tip, it just beats
me.

"Fred L Adams" wrote in message
...
I assume you mean "roller guides". They reduce friction under load and
are
generally much stronger than conventional guides.


"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
news
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing
up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

Try American Roller. They make the Acid Wrap Rollers. Try on the tackle
board of http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/forum/dcboard.php
They can get you contact info. And could answer this question.
Bill

"Marcel" wrote in message
...
I wonder if there is any roller-guide manufacturer other than AFTCO that
makes 'wider' roller
so that swivels can climb up to your reel----
All AFTCO rollers prevent all but tiny knots from climbing up the reel.
I tied an albright knot (thinnest profiile I can think of) on 200lb mono
with 200lb power pro and
it still barely passes through the roller tip.
Swivels are out of the question altogether.
I wonder why this is not a simple matter of widening the tip, it just
beats
me.

"Fred L Adams" wrote in message
...
I assume you mean "roller guides". They reduce friction under load and
are
generally much stronger than conventional guides.


"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
news
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in
the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from
climbing
up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

Try American Roller. They make the Acid Wrap Rollers. Try on the tackle
board of http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/forum/dcboard.php
They can get you contact info. And could answer this question.
Bill

"Marcel" wrote in message
...
I wonder if there is any roller-guide manufacturer other than AFTCO that
makes 'wider' roller
so that swivels can climb up to your reel----
All AFTCO rollers prevent all but tiny knots from climbing up the reel.
I tied an albright knot (thinnest profiile I can think of) on 200lb mono
with 200lb power pro and
it still barely passes through the roller tip.
Swivels are out of the question altogether.
I wonder why this is not a simple matter of widening the tip, it just
beats
me.

"Fred L Adams" wrote in message
...
I assume you mean "roller guides". They reduce friction under load and
are
generally much stronger than conventional guides.


"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
news
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in
the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from
climbing
up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message ...
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

Marcel, the guides allow the load from the fish to be distributed
along the rod blank in a controlled fashion. The main problem with
guides is they produce friction, roller guides serve to reduce the
friction. I'm not sure if wider guides would produce more problems
than they would solve. If you want to wind your swivel onto the rod
their are manufacturers that make very small swivels that are very
strong as well. They work very well for fish like Sailfish, but for
larger fish I would be afraid that they would get hung up in the
guides if the fish takes a last run for it, causing a break off. What
about simply using shorter leaders? I've used some real short ones on
Tuna without a problem when fishing shorthanded.

"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message ...
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

Marcel, the guides allow the load from the fish to be distributed
along the rod blank in a controlled fashion. The main problem with
guides is they produce friction, roller guides serve to reduce the
friction. I'm not sure if wider guides would produce more problems
than they would solve. If you want to wind your swivel onto the rod
their are manufacturers that make very small swivels that are very
strong as well. They work very well for fish like Sailfish, but for
larger fish I would be afraid that they would get hung up in the
guides if the fish takes a last run for it, causing a break off. What
about simply using shorter leaders? I've used some real short ones on
Tuna without a problem when fishing shorthanded.

Point well taken. I can conclude that it's a real bad idea to bring up the
swivel anywhere onto the rod. Disaster lurks!



"John" wrote in message
om...
"Marcel K Haesok" wrote in message
...
Hi all---
In cases of big-game fishing involving 100's of pounds-game fish,
I see that many professionals recommend rods with guides.
I have always thought that these guides were nothing but pain in the
neck,
in that it does nothing except prevent the fat swivels from climbing
up
to my reel.

Could someone elucidate their purpose?

Thanks much. Marcel

Marcel, the guides allow the load from the fish to be distributed
along the rod blank in a controlled fashion. The main problem with
guides is they produce friction, roller guides serve to reduce the
friction. I'm not sure if wider guides would produce more problems
than they would solve. If you want to wind your swivel onto the rod
their are manufacturers that make very small swivels that are very
strong as well. They work very well for fish like Sailfish, but for
larger fish I would be afraid that they would get hung up in the
guides if the fish takes a last run for it, causing a break off. What
about simply using shorter leaders? I've used some real short ones on
Tuna without a problem when fishing shorthanded.