Ice rod guide placement?

[Laska]

Just wondering if you guys have a rule of thumb for guide placement for ice rods or if its just a eye it up and what looks good goes... New to the rod business...

[upnorth]

I tape the guides on, put a reel on it, string it up, grab the line and flex the rod. I adjust the guides to make sure the line follows the blank fairly well with no really tight angles.

[CAMAN]

Yup, also make sure the first guide is far enough up the blank to allow clearance for the line to freely come off the reel, but close enough that the blank doesn't flop everywhere when you're reeling in. I've run across a couple cheapo manufactured rods that weren't designed properly with the first guide being too far from the reel and it was like you were holding onto a pi$$ed off snake by the tail when you were reeling in under any kind of pressure.

[Rodbldr4fun]

Also, I use a larger guide and tip top diameter than you would normally with a rod tip. That way your guides won't ice-up as easily.

[pureinsanity]

You should be able to get recommended specs for your blanks.

I know all the blanks i've bought at mid west rod and reel have a recommended guide placement. Fix them closely to those specs and make adjustments from there!

I like the local shops, they treat you well and give you all the insight and info anyone can ask for!

On your next build id recommend going through them.

[A.W.Wolfram]

Here is my lay out for 28" blanks. This will not work for everything but its a good starting point.

3 guides

From the tip

3.75

7.75

13

4 Guideds

From the tip

3

6

9

13

[Laska]

thank you guys for the help much appreciated!