I asked a question earlier about building up a Calstar 700H, and folks recomended a roller guide for the top. My other spring project is a 700M that will be fished with a 30# topshot on an Avet LX reel. Live bait fishing YFT/YT/dodos, what do folks think about going with a roller guide on this lighter rod?? Is it ever a problem to have a roller on a light(er) rod?
In my opinion, there really is no problem using a roller tip for a live bait rod. Some say it hinders the toss, others say it doesn't. But if you are simply using it for live bait, there shouldn't be any down side, unless someone else has thought of something I haven't.
You won't need a roller guide for 30lb class. How big of Tuna are you going to try to catch on this rig?
I have heard the roller tip reduces casting distance, but I have never casted a rod with a roller tip.
If you haven't tried glass blanks, I would test one before you put money into a graphite rod. My understanding is that glass rods cast bait better than graphite.
Just using a roller tip would not do a whole lot either hidering the cast or hleping the fight. #30 gear does not need a roller. If you do build a roller rod, it ought to be at least a roller stripper or all rollers. AFTCO makes lightweight rollers for lighter rods but they jump the cost when you add them on. I use to have a Shimano 9' all roller rod. Nice feel, but it really was unecessary.
Big rods need rollers to act as a conveyor for line under great pressure of a big fish--prevents line cutting or pitting of the guides and allows a smoother transition for knots and large connections. SInce you won' have larege knots or crimping for #30 gear, you don't really need rollers.
You see alot of bill fish guys using the Aftco lightweight rollers and 20 lb gear when chaising IGFA events. I really don't see the use either, but then again, I do not fish for bill fish either.
Thanks all. I guess it is probably overkill to put on rollers. Would someone care to suggest a good series of FUJI SIG guides? My head is swimming trying to diferentiate the different models!
sorry, never had to buy guides, but high end rod makers like to use ceramic. That doesn't mean there the best money can buy, but they are up there I am sure.
700m is an excellent 30lb stix,if your throwing iron,i would probably go all rollers,that just my opinion.are you going long or local, it can make a differance. louie
to mrfish.im a longranger to,what i do is up the size in line just in case if you hook up a larger class fish. w/rollers on a 30 lb it can help with the wear and tear on your mono.
to mrfish if going long i usualy up the size in line,using roller can help from wear and tear on your mono, especially if you hook up a larger class of fish by accident,your a long ranger that what i would do.ive gone long many times a
IGFA tournies use rollers on ridiculously light 20-30-40 pound gear to get that extra edge in decreasing line friction when fighting billfish . They are chasing perhaps 200# billfish on #20 line or 300# bills on 30# line. IGFA mono line must break with +/-2 pounds of rated strength, not like our monos which normally have 50% more headroom to actual breaking strength. IGFA tournies will commonly use 800 yards of 20# mono to allow their sportfishing yacht to run down and chase the billfish for miles until the poor fish is almost dead from exhaustion. No fish can outfight twin Yanmar diesels churnign out 1,500 horsepowers. They're not worried about crossing lines since they pull all the other lines in to clear the deck for that one fish.
There is a point where it's not sport anymore and just stupid cruelty.
Anyway, LR gear is more to pull and deck it quickly and efficinetly to reduce line tangles nad since the boat is not going to chase it, you have to get it on board mano a mano.
Ollie, I can definately see your point. I love to fish, but I do not think I would ever enter a tournament, I do not fish to "win" money or prizes, I fish to win the fish.
