Roller or Ring Guides

[z71offshore]

Prefer rings on all but 80lb+.

a couple of mine have rollers that work just fine as long as I take care of them, but if I was to have a matching set made for the day in day out charter rods, they would be all ring.

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

rings on anything including 80's.

[WAHOONBOX]

rings on anything including 80's.

MMMM.....YOUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!

[calebw]

Give me rings unless BF tuna fishing.

Alright birdhunter why rollers just for GBFT fishing. Is it the increased drag or the wind on swivels that makes the rollers a necessity. What about your 80's and 130's for blue marlin fishing, Rings or Rollers?

rings on anything including 80's.

And Trophy why do like rings on everything. Is there an advantage to having rings on heavy rods for GBFT with 80's and 130's.

[merry marlin]

Played a lot with 8 and 12 lbs test on sailfish in my previous life! Our choice was rollers on pretty soft rods..... With the light lines and drag we put on them I believe the rollers did help.
BUT... if you go roller go AFTCO !!!

The way we fish here for meat and 50 or 80 lbs lines for fish that rarely go over that weight there may not be a need for the rollers...
MM

[birdhunter]

You said it about the bluefins I want the rollers for the longer fight and the swivels. From what I have noticed, it seems like more give and take close to the boat with the tunas than the marlin. You will notice that the majority of the charter boats here prefer rings on everything 50 class and below.

[FLATLINER]

HOLEY BOXO! .....WILL ALL RISE PLEASE!!!!......THE HONORABLE JUDGE FLATLINER HAS SCHOOL IN SESSION! .....THERE ARE AND GOING TO BE SOME GREAT INFO REPLIED INTO THIS THREAD...

AND THIS IS A "TO EACH HIS OWN" STYLE AND NEED

AS REVOLUTIONIST PATRICK BOX HENRY ONCE DECREED: "GIVE ME RINGS AND I'LL GIVE YOU DEATH!" .....OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I'LL TAKE THE RINGS ANY DAY ....FROM MY DINK UP TO MY FIFTIES

Thanks Box, I appreciate the kind words. As a rodbuilder, we are constantly looking to build a better rod and one that will handle the abuse. Anyone can have the run of the mill rods on board for the run of the mill fish. I am constantly pointing out that its better to have rods on board that are suited for the above average fish.

When will a rod fail? Barely being pushed to the limit on a small fish, or when you have a HOG on the line? The latter of course. AND, when do you wish that you had a stronger, better built rod? When you have a HOG on the line of course! In my mind, I would rather be prepared for that fight of a lifetime with proper equipment, than have to say that I had a monster on the line and the line, rod or reel failed me.

Just my 2 cents. From what I have seen in my years of building, it is totally user preference as to what configuration is used. No one is wrong on this, each has their benefits and drawbacks.

Oh yeah, Box, I'm liking the Avatar!
Kevin