I see they make beely guides and running guides? Do I really need both or can I just use the running guides? And is it different between a casting and spinning rod?

 

Allen

Until they invented the need for belly guides, for decades we ran running guides successfully. Rods of musky power levels have used them and even micro guides with long time success. The running guides and many others have tested all exceed 20 lbs. of load without damage of any kind, a typical MH bass rod under full load never exceeds 6 lbs. of load on any one guide and the most loaded guides are closest to the reel, for this reason all could very well be SF running guides, the guides on the tip have very little load, as they are pointing toward the load with little flex on them. My concern when building a rod is, therefore, how much durability is needed to be able to use this rod day in and day out, under all transport and fishing conditions the rod could possibly see, for this I may even select DF guides like those near the reel for reliability's sake in remote fishing areas.

I will add that the one difference between "belly" guides and running micros sometimes is in the design of the foot with running micros having a thinner, shorter foot.  Some have commented on having these guides pull out from under the wrap.  I've never had that happen, and in fact they are so low that they don't usually get caught on anything.  But one easy risk reducer is to use a locking wrap, which I do on all single foot guides.  Here is one version by the guy who first thought of it:  https://www.rodbuilding.org/library/forhan.html

 

It only takes seconds per wrap to do it this way or other versions of it.

You don’t “need” belly guides. They’re a minor tweak available if you choose. Within Pennie’s of the price of running guides, why not? I’ve even used them as running guides on heavy power rods. 

2 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I’ve even used them as running guides on heavy power rods. 

Me too.