Micro Guides

[dabassking]

I was hoping that someone on here who has tried them could give me the pros and cons. Are there any techniques that they would not do well with? Do they make a significant difference in the feel of the rod? Any input would be awesome!

[bassman_ky]

I have recently changed all my rods over to Duckett rods which have micro guides. I don't know if its these rods (I have not used other rods with mictoguides) or just microguides but they seem to be more sensitive. Your line actually lays on the blank of the rod. I also think they help casting distance but can't come up with a reason why. I just know they do. I use these rods for all fishing applications and have not found a negative. I have heard that in hot weather there can be too much friction on your line passing through the microguides causing line failure but I have not found that to be true at all. I have thrown a Strike King series 6xd all day when it was 95+ and never had any problems. This is my two cents.

[Brownie]

The only single downside I have noticed with smaller guides. If you fish in cold weather they tend to get blocked with ice much easier. But a little bit a reel magic usually helps with that.

[joeyc1974]

I have recently changed all my rods over to Duckett rods which have micro guides. I don't know if its these rods (I have not used other rods with mictoguides) or just microguides but they seem to be more sensitive. Your line actually lays on the blank of the rod. I also think they help casting distance but can't come up with a reason why. I just know they do. I use these rods for all fishing applications and have not found a negative. I have heard that in hot weather there can be too much friction on your line passing through the microguides causing line failure but I have not found that to be true at all. I have thrown a Strike King series 6xd all day when it was 95+ and never had any problems. This is my two cents.

Don't own one so take this for what it is worth. I gentleman at Bass Pro that I have grown to trust told me that he looses about 5-7 yards on a cast with the Duckett. He stated that he felt the first eye should be larger. But he also said the he felt 50-60% of rods will have the microguides in the next ten years.

Sounds like there are just a few bugs that need to be worked out.

[orca]

Have several of the Falcon Cara Micro 4-17M and have no complaints. Use it all the time for senko's and flukes. Feel more of the subtle bites when the bait it dropping. The ice on the guides is the only problem I agree with. More eyes ice up.

Good Luck

[msut80]

Found this back when i was wondering about them as well.
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/b...a_micro-guides
It gave me some info on them.

[dpage70]

I build rods and almost exclusively use micro's. A rod that's built properly with micro's will always outcast a rod built the "normal" sized guides in the same conditions. I know this because I've done a huge amount of testing with them to see if what everyone was saying was true or not(I'm more of a prove it to me guy). There's no need in putting a larger first guide on it to make it cast, it's more of a matter of putting the guide in the RIGHT place. They cast better because the smaller guides force the line to stay in the straight line going the guides where the larger guides will let the line flop around all over the place. Look at the line guide on any of your reels, it's tiny compared to "normal" guides and the line passes there with no troubles at all. Take your micro rod and make a cast with it and watch the line between the reel and the first guide, it'll be in pretty much a straight line. The make a cast with a rod with regular guides and watch the line again, it'll be all over the place. They aren't right for every application though. If you fish braid with a leader you have the put guides on the rod big enough to pass the knot. 25 lb flourocarbon needs a guide with more diameter, if you use line that's really prone to memory like p-line you'll lose some distance on your casts too. The added sensitivity doesn't come from the line laying on the blank (it does that with "normal" guides too), it's from less weight on the blank. Saving weight on the blank means the blank can transmit vibrations better. Taking weight from in front of the reel seat also makes the rod feel less tip heavy which makes them easier to fish all day. Sorry this is so long but the benefits to micro's are huge and it takes a while to explain them all lol. If I can help anymore let me know.

[stickem charlie]

I also fish with duckett rods and I can notice a difference in distance cause I can chuck a bait farther. If you use good line for the right application you will increase distance. There is a reason why more rod manufactures are going to micro eyes

[joeyc1974]

I build rods and almost exclusively use micro's. A rod that's built properly with micro's will always outcast a rod built the "normal" sized guides in the same conditions. I know this because I've done a huge amount of testing with them to see if what everyone was saying was true or not(I'm more of a prove it to me guy). There's no need in putting a larger first guide on it to make it cast, it's more of a matter of putting the guide in the RIGHT place. They cast better because the smaller guides force the line to stay in the straight line going the guides where the larger guides will let the line flop around all over the place. Look at the line guide on any of your reels, it's tiny compared to "normal" guides and the line passes there with no troubles at all. Take your micro rod and make a cast with it and watch the line between the reel and the first guide, it'll be in pretty much a straight line. The make a cast with a rod with regular guides and watch the line again, it'll be all over the place. They aren't right for every application though. If you fish braid with a leader you have the put guides on the rod big enough to pass the knot. 25 lb flourocarbon needs a guide with more diameter, if you use line that's really prone to memory like p-line you'll lose some distance on your casts too. The added sensitivity doesn't come from the line laying on the blank (it does that with "normal" guides too), it's from less weight on the blank. Saving weight on the blank means the blank can transmit vibrations better. Taking weight from in front of the reel seat also makes the rod feel less tip heavy which makes them easier to fish all day. Sorry this is so long but the benefits to micro's are huge and it takes a while to explain them all lol. If I can help anymore let me know.

Great post!

Thanks!

I will own one in the future. GOnna let them work out the kinks!

[dabassking]

Thanks to everyone for the input!

[olgreenboat]

Personally I don't like for my line to touch my rods if you have a big enough fish on the end it will burn the rod or brake the line from friction if you really want to know if there is a casting distance between big guide and small go some were like Wally world ( you can take them back when done)and buy 2 of the same rods with the only difference being the guides one spinning and one bait casting and give them some time in the yard. I promos the spinning rod will cast a whole lot further then the bait caster will but since micro guides are the new craze the internet will have it blown way out of proportion and it will be the got to have rod for a few years to come..

[walkeraviator]

I like the idea that when i am putting my rods in an open rod locker, there is less chance of gettin em tangled up since teh line is so tight the the rod. I am still a little skeptical of their increasing distance. I may buy one and give it a try some day.