Hey all,

 I'm working on replacing all guides on a 6' M Berkeley Lightning Rod. This is my first attempt at replacing guides and I didn't mark the distance/location of the first guide coming off the butt. The remaining guides are still in place. The rod has a total of 6 guides (including tip). Is there a general guide spacing for a spinning rod? Or one that works the best? Thanks! 

This is way easier to demonstrate than try to explain.  In the time it took me to type this reply we could have worked in my shop and figured out the guide placement for your rod.

 

If you are just planning to replace the guides with the same size and number, put the new ones where the old ones were.  If you want to improve the rod, look at the Anglers Resource (Fuji distributor) website, decide what layout to use (NGC or KR), use their calculators for suggested sizes and positions, and use the 2-line static load test to figure out final positions.

 

Imo you’re wasting your time replacing guides without maximizing spacing. Being new, I recommend a set of American Tackle Microwave (not to be confused with micro guides) and look up static load guide placement for running guides. The set comes with spacing for reduction guides. Probably use 7 total on a 6’. 

Since it's your first try, I'd follow the K.I.S.S principle.  Just put the guides where they were originally.  If you removed the butt guide, there should be some sign on the blank as to where it was.  It was most likely somewhere between 22 and 24 inches from the center of the reel seat.  I just stripped down an 5' 10" Ugly Stick I picked up at a flea market for $10.  I'd fished it for a couple of years and was satisfied with the distance and action.  I didn't like the reel seat.  So I stripped it all down replaced the grips and reel seat, downsized the butt guide from a size 30 to a size 25.  I used it back in May and it was fine.

 I build my own rods, and if I'm starting with a new blank I follow the steps that MikeK and DV Tackle outlined.  If I'm replacing guides, I just put them where they were.  Once you start moving or adding guides you're creating more work for yourself.  You'll have to make "cosmetic" adjustments to the spots where you removed the guides.  Just keep it simple.  Good luck with your project. 

On 6/25/2022 at 6:13 PM, River_Rat said:

Is there a general guide spacing for a spinning rod?

Generally its about 20 inches from the spool on the reel. Sometime more...sometimes less.

You should be able to see where the old wrapping was on the blank.

Look on this web site. you will have to look up a blank that's the same length as yours.

 

Guide Spacing (batsonenterprises.com)

 

Hope this helps.

Lots of good info for you to digest. 

 

I build a lot of heavy saltwater rods, which means load testing and test casting can be a PIA. 

 

Thankfully for a light spinner like you are looking at you can tape the guides on and test to your hearts content. I would put them where you think they look good, put the reel you use with the rod on there and go and cast what you would normally use. Then hook the line onto something and give it a good bend. Things to look for: 

 

Is the line slapping on the way out in the cast? If so perhaps a different spacing or choke guide arrangement makes more sense, perhaps a different sized guide.

 

When you pull on the rod, does the line look unnaturally squared off at the normal drag ranges you are fishing, perhaps a different guide train, or perhaps an additional guide or two may help. 

 

Many factory rods are done with general spacing and guides. They don't know what sized reel you are using, or what kind or diameter line you are using. Those things matter, sometimes a lot for a spinning rod to be high performing in both casting and feel.