Ceramic guides vs. chrome

[2dogkayak]

I am building a new rod, an 8' 4wt Loomis. I have on hand both single foot chrome guides as well as ceramic single foot guides.

What are the pros and cons?

I am leaning toward the plain chrome single foot. The ceramics look bulky and heavy and might weigh down and change the action of the rod, but that is just a guess.

Bill

[ol' blue]

The chome guides are lighter, and keep the rods action somewhat crisper (but how much I don't know), especially at the tip. But the ceramics shoot line much better IMO. I like the ceramics myself, but I think it is mostly personal preference.
You can always get your handle built, then tape on the guides and put on a reel and line and see which ones you prefer and if the action is noticeably affected.

[Jerry]

My thoughts on ceramic guides is this: If they helped the preformance of a rod manufacturers that sell high performance rods would use them - none do. Some of these rods sell in the $6-700 range so the increased cost would not be a factor.
And they look like hell.

[PanFisher]

I understand there are good ceramic guides out in todays market that are very light. I have not used any of the newer equipment out today.

In the 80's I experimented a lot. The ceramic guides then DID affect the action of the blank a great deal. I didn't like them and found the H&H or Recoil chrome single foots to be a delight. NOTE: I specified the brand because I DO NOT recommend the PacBay brand that leaves the ring on the blank. They are the same as using snake guides. Nothing wrong with snake guides I just find the ring held above the blank reduces line slap and increases the performance of the rod especially if you shoot line to get distance.

Again just my opinion - I do what I find works best. The idea of taping them on and testing makes a lot of sense. I understand the new ceramic guides are much better - I have been tempted to try them just haven't gotten to it yet.

[ol' blue]

On spinning/casting rods, the thing that costs you the most on casting distance is line slapping on the rod. If you are really needing to shoot line with a fly rod, you need to keep it off the rod.
I don't really need to shoot that much. Ceramics didn't affect the casting action noticably on any of my rods, and I really like the looks of the ceramics. And they are much quieter when you do shoot line. Snakes are just more traditional.

[flyandtie]

ceramic guides will last longer and be more resistant to grooving than the chrome ones

[Lotech]

2dog,
You might want to consider these stripping guides. They would make a broom stick look good.
http://www.snakeguides.com/products.php
Good Luck with whatever you choose.

[PaGuy]

Go with the single for snake, those ceramics have no buisness being on a 4wt 8ft fly rod you dont need distance casting for it. Oh and ceramics look like crap

[DShock]

2dog,
You might want to consider these stripping guides. They would make a broom stick look good.
http://www.snakeguides.com/products.php
Good Luck with whatever you choose.

Joe,
Thanks for posting the Guide Link!

[Lotech]

My pleasure.
That's going to be my next stipping guide on a new rod. I'm pretty sure they go well with Venerri reel seats.