Why? What's the advantage?

Thanks!

Josh

A lot lighter, so easier to make balanced blank. It also increases sensitivity. 

They weigh less so your rod would be lighter if outfitted with micro guides. Also, sensitivity should be improved. The draws backs for me are first, I fish in the winter so those tiny guides freeze up faster. Second, if you use braid with a leader you may have issues with that knot banging or hanging up those micro guides.

The less weight added to a blank (especially in the tip section), the more it retains it's inherent qualities, chief among them- speed, as in recovery time / resonant frequency often referred to as crispness. Weight savings aid in balance as well. At the end of the day maximizing casting performance and sensitivity are the goals and one piece of the equation is weight. Weight savings in the form of guide material as well as size have a definite impact. Using the smallest, lightest guides that will do the job may or may not result in the use of "Micro" guides which by the way cover a significant range. The guide needs to hold up the stress applied and pass necessary leaders / knots / connections. Icing, cotton wood and filamentous  algae are some conditions that may contra-indicate small guides. Remember, when we talk about weight savings in this context we are talking grams, not a lot of weight in hand but meaningful as a percentage of added weight. 

Helps with rod balance especially with long rods that you don't want very tip heavy.

Everyone is correct. The exception is the leader knot. I've tied many a leaders on my micro guide rods. Not a one has caught. Use the right line and it shouldn't be an issue.

Everyone is correct. The exception is the leader knot. I've tied many a leaders on my micro guide rods. Not a one has caught. Use the right line and it shouldn't be an issue.

 

For the ones which do, would some of that knot glue I used to read about help?

 

Never used it.

Josh, this is news to me. I never heard of the stuff. I just tie a blood or surgeon's knot and be done with it. This does, however, make me want to do research...

The added benefit of micro guides to me is keeping the line on a straight path plus when you use micro guides, you can add more making the action of the rod work better by the placement of another guide in the equation.

they are lighter more sensitive look REALLY cool and supposedly increase casting distance but I haven't experienced that.

Every one has covered the micro guides very well. I know that several years back my Wife bought me a Duckett White Ice rod for Christmas and ever since then I am 100% hooked on them. The micro guides won me over. Best rod's I have ever owned from $200 Down. I do not use leaders so I really have nothing but good things to say about micros, if you use leaders though they will not be for you.

If you ever fish any time when you might have to deal with your guides icing up, I wouldn't suggest trying to use them then. 

I've never had that issue fishing in below freezing weather. Every cast clears the eyes of water.

Micro guides lighter weights may give more sensitivity, but first you have to be able to notice the minute difference.  Can't say as I have every been one to notice the smaller details whether it is in a rod's sensitivity or my wife's new hair cut 

 

Personally I like the looks of full size guides better.  I find no casting difference (at least on the water) between regular and micro guides on baitcast rods.  However, micro guides hurt casting distance....for me....on spinning rods.  That is not an opinion shared by everyone.  I hated the only micro guide spinning rod I tried, and took it back.

Its a love/hate relationship for me. When conditions are right I enjoye them. However at times of the year these 3 things hurt their cause.

1. Colder temps and guides icing up

2. Cotton trees blooming and then cotton collecting on the guides

3. Moss/weeds during times of the summer

The smaller the guides the more difficult these things are to pass through.

DVL mentioned that micro guides are not all the same diameter, they vary.

For example my custom jig-worm rods have Kagin micro guides, the tip ring ID is 2.4mm or .090. Kagin offers micro guides in approx .5 mm increments. Today I would have requested 3mm or .110 ID tip ring so knots could pass through easier.

Tom

For me there are no advantages, only disadvantages like the icing up and cotton wood trees jamming up the guides etc. I can cast as far as need to with conventional guides, even though I don't believe micro guides make a noticeable difference in casting distance.

If I ever get to the point where I feel I need micro guides because of the weight difference compared to conventional guides I think I'll just quit fishing.

This is all great info.  I have often wondered but thought these guides were just a gimmick.  You just don't see them much on higher end rods.