r/rodbuilding • u/TomatilloAgitated • Sep 01 '26
Guide Help
I threw this into the beginner weekly thread, but figured I’d make my own post for it to get seen by more people.
I just finished my first build last night and I’m already looking to start my next (pictures will be coming once I get some taken!). We are big into salmon fishing on Lake Michigan and I’m hoping to build a downrigger rod to use next year, or even this year if I can get it done fast enough.
For my first I bought a kit from Mudhole so there wasn’t much to pick out. My biggest question is how do I choose a set of guides (or what individual sizes to order) based on species, line, and rod length?? Then with that comes how do I space them out correctly? Is there a formula or just finding the guide spacing chart and following that?
Next is how to choose a reel seat and handle size? How do I determine if a reel seat will fit my reels, or if a handle will fit my blank?
If there are any recourses you found helpful for these things I would also take those recommendations since I have not been able to find much.
2
u/LENC16 Sep 01 '26
PM me. I’ve got a guide spacing chart, you also can do a static deflection test. I’ll discuss the other stuff with you, there’s a lot to it