Anyone know the equivalency between snake guides vs single foot guides? If I use 2,3,4 size snakes, what size single foot would replace them?
Rod Building Single foot guides
- Thread starter Wetswinger
- Start date
No difference between snakes and single foot guides. Between either of those two and guides with inserts you want to compare IDs (internal diameter) measurements as opposed to ODs (external). There are charts available on the web.
Bambooflyguy
Life of the Party
Agreed size wise the same....wrapping single foot....half the thread twice the pain!
Thanks for the info. I am new to rodbuilding. I've built 3 so far. Thought I'd try single foots on the next one. Im not sure why premiere manufacturers use them on some, but not all of their models. There's quite the debate on the rodbuilders websites concerning the merits and drawbacks of them vs snake quides..
I’m sorry I just like the look of a snake guide, over a single foot guide.
They use titanium guides in the higher end saltwater rods because of rust issues. The only problem with titanium or single foot guides with ceramic inserts, is their high cost. A titanium stripping guide with insert cost $12. Times that by 11 and a ceramic tip top and you are into it for $100 just for the guides. OK if your charging a $1000+ for a G Loomis. Not so good for a hobbyist...
Now that the seasons have changed and the outdoor chores lessened, it's time to start thinking about those rodbuilding projects. Thought I'd go back to this subject of snake verses single foot guides.
Last Winter I built myself a 10ft, 6wt that I use out of my pontoon for stillwater. It's built on a NFC FAF graphite blank. I really like No. Fork products. Anyways, I used single foot guides and think they perform well. As for wrapping them, not a problem as the feet on them are quite long allowing the use of two thin strips of tape to secure and start them. I personally really like the way they look on a rod. Less busy, sleek modern look.
The only problem for me is, to sustain my hobby I need to sell the rods (for little or no profit). Most people want snake guides, so that's what I build. But for now on I would use single foot for my personal rods.
Last Winter I built myself a 10ft, 6wt that I use out of my pontoon for stillwater. It's built on a NFC FAF graphite blank. I really like No. Fork products. Anyways, I used single foot guides and think they perform well. As for wrapping them, not a problem as the feet on them are quite long allowing the use of two thin strips of tape to secure and start them. I personally really like the way they look on a rod. Less busy, sleek modern look.
The only problem for me is, to sustain my hobby I need to sell the rods (for little or no profit). Most people want snake guides, so that's what I build. But for now on I would use single foot for my personal rods.
Last edited:
True, but you can crack the inserts, and then they fall out. It’s easier to catch a single foot on something and bend it than a snake. Fujis are also heavy enough that it does make a difference to the action of a rod.
I put slightly oversized single foot guides on my last build, and they are OK, but I am not sure that they actually shoot line better than ordinary snakes do. They are the type where the loop is all the way down to the rod, and I think that maybe if there was a little bit of stand off they might work better.
Years ago I built a rod with single foot guides, but with all the hiking to remote lakes that I do, I have to agree with @Chucker that the single foot guides catch on things and bend too easily compared to a snake guide. I never had a single foot guide break off, but I was always thinking that one would do so. Although I liked the look of the single foot guides and thought the lower weight would make it easier to cast the rod, I really didn't feel any difference and went back to using the snake guides.
Chinook Angler
Steelhead
Over the years I have built several rods with single foot Recoil and Pacbay Minima guides. However, on most of the builds I do use snakes. I really like the traditional look and the simplicity.
All that have tried or have repaired damaged snake guides, you know how difficult it can be. It takes a pair of round nosed pliers so you don't mar them. If one side pulls out of the wrapping you might as well plan on replacing it. On the other hand I have had inserts fall out of ceramic insert guides. Never had one break and rods have taken a lot of abuse in an aluminum drift boat. I never fiigured out the weight difference between the two. Two wraps and coating vs one, then the weight of the guide. Same for the action of the rod,
CRO I agree. Due to the single wrap, Single foot guides retain more of the blanks natural action. Snake guides due to the additional wrapping add to the stiffness or action of the blank. With this being, said I don't think any individual would be unable to detect the difference and I would have to call BS if they said they could.
Chinook Angler
Steelhead
Sorry, for a silly question. Why would the "stiffness" be different? What is stiffness anyway?
Bambooflyguy
Life of the Party
Hmmmmmm?? Ask her.......
Chinook Angler
Steelhead
Haha, I know... it's always very confusing when words like action and stiffness are used in the same sentence. Intuitively, I think it's something that kind of makes sense, but it's hard to really know the meaning unless more context is provided.
