Micro eyes

[176champion]

Opinions on micro eyes the full length a a fishing rod, was looking at a rod that had micro eyes near the reel all the way to the tip and they appeared to be the small ones the full length.

[Sore Thumbs]

I'm not a big fan of them. I think the regular size guides are all around better. Someone might say different but I didn't see a significant difference in performance one way or the other. Plus if you need one replaced someday micro might be harder to find.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I got quite a few of them.  I have had to replace probably 15 eyes in 3 years. Talk to the rod repair guy at BPS and he said that it is pretty typical them falling off and coming loose, they just dont have a big enough foot to mount on the rod very well. I wont buy anymore, and i will probably have all them replaced with regular eyes next time i have to take one in.   And as far as performance, I dont think it makes a bit of difference.   If you throw braid and tie a leader on it, i dont care how small your not is, you will feel it come through the guides every cast. And they freeze up if you fish when its real cold.     

[bluebasser86]

I have several rods with micro guides and like them. Haven't broke one yet, but I know it's been an issue on some rods. They suck when it's cold because they ice so fast. Not fun if you fish braid to a leader of any length, or when the cottonseed is falling either. It feels like you're just fishing with the blank. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Thought of another issue, they love poke through rod sleeves

[rps]

I like them and use them on the rods I make for myself, but I have several suggestions and comments.

Because they have small feet and weigh significantly less, the wraps have less effect on the action of the rod. The same blank wrapped with micro guides and with regular guides will NOT have the same feel.

Because the smaller guide does not elevate the line as far above the blank as a regular guide, a casting rod will need to have one more guide OR will need to be spiral wrapped.

Because they are so small, they should have titanium feet and frames or be solid titanium like RECoil guides.

They should be wrapped to the rod using the Forhan locking wrap to prevent pulling out from under the wrap.

If you "sock" your rods, buy the finer mesh or weave socks to reduce the guide poke through mentioned above.

[Mitch f]

On 12/4/2016 at 3:04 AM, rps said:

I like them and use them on the rods I make for myself, but I have several suggestions and comments.

Because they have small feet and weigh significantly less, the wraps have less effect on the action of the rod. The same blank wrapped with micro guides and with regular guides will NOT have the same feel.

Because the smaller guide does not elevate the line as far above the blank as a regular guide, a casting rod will need to have one more guide OR will need to be spiral wrapped.

Because they are so small, they should have titanium feet and frames or be solid titanium like RECoil guides.

They should be wrapped to the rod using the Forhan locking wrap to prevent pulling out from under the wrap.

If you "sock" your rods, buy the finer mesh or weave socks to reduce the guide poke through mentioned above.

Great information!! 

I would love to build my own rods, buts that's just one more thing I really don't have time to do. Not to mention, I really believe I would end up using more expensive components and wouldn't save any money! 

[rps]

9 hours ago, Mitch f said:

Great information!! 

I would love to build my own rods, buts that's just one more thing I really don't have time to do. Not to mention, I really believe I would end up using more expensive components and wouldn't save any money! 

I really save about 25 cents per rod. On the other hand, I fish with exactly what I want. Champ and some others have handled my Ned casting rod.

 

[Champ188]

2 hours ago, rps said:

I really save about 25 cents per rod. On the other hand, I fish with exactly what I want. Champ and some others have handled my Ned casting rod.

 

Yes I have and let me tell you, it's amazing to be able to throw a Ned on a casting rod. It is well finished, too. Very pretty work.

[Gavin]

Can't say I've ever saved a penny by assembling my own, but you get what you want. Figure at least $75 plus a blank for a basic casting or spinning rod. Fancy wood reels seats, fittings, primo cork, and top of the line guides can boost that allot.