Hey guys/gals,

 

So, Christmas is coming up and I am thinking about buying a new rod for cranking.  My question is regarding the use of micro guides.  Is there any sort of application where you find that they do not work very well?  I have two Kistler rods with micro guides right now and I have grown to really appreciate the sensitivity of them.  Is there any lure or rod/tip combo that anyone has experienced issues with micro guides?  

 

While we are on topic, what is your favorite rod to use for crankbaits?  Thank you in advance for your insight!

Since you're in South TX, I doubt this will apply...But they ice up a lot worse than standard guides if you fish in the cold. Other than that I don't really prefer one over the other.  

I prefer micro guides for punching matt's and for fishing in heavy cover.

I think They give a little more sensativity and little more pitching distance with less effort due to the lack of line slap.

Mike

Attn admins: I just realized I posted this in the wrong place.  My apologies.

Freezing guides and leader knots are the 2 things I think interfere with micro guides the most.   You should be fine on the freezing part and a well tied Alberto knot will pass through all but the smallest guides.

I can't find any reason not to like 'em.  An FG knot goes through without the slightest hitch.  As for the cranking rod, if you like Kistlers, try one of their KLX "Crank, Rip and Twitch" models.  I have the 7' MHMF and am liking it more each time I use it.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

I have a 7' medium Kistler Magnesium Cranking rod, absolutely sweet! Still on sale on Tackle warehouse. For squarebills and 10' or less cranks, it's perfect. Loads up really nicely, lightweight, and the grip is easy on your hands. 

 

Micro guides are no fun when it's below freezing. I never use braid with a leader for stuff other than spinning rods when the line is so small that micro guides don't make a difference anyways on the knot. I mainly bank and kayak fish and from experience the biggest thing I can say about micro guides is be gentle with them 

Ice, leader knots, and cotton seed can all present problems for micro guides.

Cotton seed poses a major threat to micro guides!

I don't mind micro guides on a casting rod, but hated them on a spinning rod.   So my vote for "When not to use micros guides." is any time you are buying a spinning rod.  Let it be known that I may be the only guy on here with that opinion. 

 

I love fishing, but at my age I am long past where I will fish when it is cold enough for the water to freeze in my rod's guides.  Nor do I have to worry about cotton seeds.

I see no difference between spin and cast relative to micros.  Others have defined the potential problems with micros, and they are true whether cast or spin.  I have both spin and cast with micros and love them both.  

As discussed, cold would be the main reason not to use micros. Semi Micros (especially if they're K guides) on the other hand, gets a great big thumbs up from me.

Even k micros aren't too micro, like stupid micro like others are. But yeah, those small caliber Ti K guides would be well suited for any bass rod.