Guide query

[Daintreeboy]

Can anyone provide some feedback on the difference between the Fuji MN versus the LN frames please? I'm going to build some bait casters and was thinking of going for the TLNSG ones on one rod but also like the ICMNSG and ICLNSG guides so may try a few sets. will the ICLNSG be strong enough for a 25 lb Barra bait caster? are the Titanium guides worth the extra?
Thanks.

[Owen]

Fuji has dropped at least some of their titanium guides. I've been trying to complete a set for a while. Not sure what models they still do.
My friend in the industry in Japan say it was due to low sales and high failure rates.
Yours seem to be still for sale in several places, so may not be amongst them!

Titanium is very light, but prone to fracture (if you use the wrong guide and it flexes too much).
I have a couple of rods with them on and I love them (no worries about rust).
I haven't had a breakage, so I suspect poor selection is the culprit with the returns i.e. Trying to use too light a guide.
Light is good, but you have to consider life span.

I've heard a lot of BAD things about AMTACK titans, so I'd do some searching before I went there.

I've pretty much settled on Alps stainless guides these days, but I'm not into trying to flick super light lures, so I'm not obsessed with every milligram going on.

On a barra rod you're going to be chucking 125mm slick rigs and larger lures, so I don't know if I'd bother.
I think the balance of the rod will be more important than the total weight when it comes to how stuffed you are after 1000 casts.

[Willo]

Interesting about the AMTK titanium guides
I.ve used them for awhile on quite few rods and been really happy with them
They have been given some really good work outs on big fish and as yet no probs...
the only negetive I have about them is there frame finish is not as good as Fuji...But at half the cost of a Fuji set, Its quite easy to overlook that minor detail...LOL
Willo

[Owen]

Interesting about the AMTK titanium guides
I.ve used them for awhile on quite few rods and been really happy with them
Willo

As I said, I've "heard" bad things (some by people whos opinions I respect) so I'd investigate before I bought them.
Personal experience always trumps internet chatter and sometimes the reason for a bad experience is poor selection in the first place, so it's always best to not take any negative posts as gospel.
Just as one type of guide failing doesn't mean another from the same manufacturer will also fail.

[grave41]

Fuji have brought out titanium alconites at a cheaper price.Not sure on what series yet as was only told on Wednesday night by Frofleys rep.
Graham

[Stuart]

Frogleys have a very bad habbit of not letitng anyone know they are no longer carring stock of any particuler guide style.
I have been dealing with them for many years and they still dont get it. I have given up dealing with them, I will buy from overseas.

[sid_fishes]

just like the rest of us

[Daintreeboy]

I should have mentioned weight is secondary to corrosion resistance. These rods will go on week plus long camping trips in the salt. I was just after a top quality guide that has a shiny type frame and is highly corrosion resistant. If it's going to break though bugger that.
Maybe the lighter frame LN ones will have to go on the 10 to 15lb blanks?

[Owen]

Bugger me...
I'm sure I used TLNSG's as the first few guides on a 9wt fly rod I have here.
I can't find the paperwork, but they look the same. I'd be happy enough to use them on a 10-15lb barra rod.
Mind you I have never worked them hard on that rod as I suck at fly fishing, so I can't honestly vouch for durability.

[Charlie]

The standard MN guides are very similar to NSG, just a bit higher but unfortunately neither come in Titanium.To my way of thinking the NSG are too heavy and the LNSG too light based on a visual inspection and I ended up single foots towards the tip of my heavy baitcaster, I'm talking about the stainless steel frame here, I presume their the same in titanium.