[eshuang]

@John Patrick I am curious about your impressions of this rod. I'm also considering it. Thanks!

 

[Goodtimes]

I've built multiple NFC rods including 9wt and 11wt gb and a lmx 7wt. The 7wt cast great with SA Grand slam 7wt. Just got back from a Belize trip and used a grand slam and Rio permit elite on the 9wt gb. Lawn casted it prior to the trip as well as used it consistently in Belize, I felt it casted okay and did the job but I feel it would benefit from something a little heavier. What line have you found matches well with the GB or am I just over thinking it?

 

[idlehands]

Great blanks. I just built my buddy a NFC 1290-4 GB

View attachment 173369

Reviving an old thread but I’m looking to build an 11wt Gamma Beta, mind sharing what guides you used for this 12? I found the spacing on NFC website but not sure what size guides to use.

 

[Renegade]

Reviving an old thread but I’m looking to build an 11wt Gamma Beta, mind sharing what guides you used for this 12? I found the spacing on NFC website but not sure what size guides to use.

There is no “one right answer” to this question. There are a lot of schools of thought on this.

For starters, NFC does 9 guides + 1 tip. I do 10 +1.

On an 11/12 I run Recoil strippers for the first three guides and then I run Recoil Snakes.

20, 12,10 dbl foot strippers

9,9, and then (5) 8’s.

I use an XL loop tip.

There are a lot of different opinions. This is just how I do it.

 

[idlehands]

There is no “one right answer” to this question. There are a lot of schools of thought on this.

For starters, NFC does 9 guides + 1 tip. I do 10 +1.

On an 11/12 I run Recoil strippers for the first three guides and then I run Recoil Snakes.

20, 12,10 dbl foot strippers

9,9, and then (5) 8’s.

I use an XL loop tip.

There are a lot of different opinions. This is just how I do it.

Thank you for the prompt reply! I am new to rod building if you have the patience for a few dumb questions I’d definitely appreciate the help. Why do you add the tenth guide?
I have heard mixed views on tapering the snakes guides and that can you can just go to one size unless you like the look. Do you see any benefits besides looks to tapering from 9 to 8?

 

[troutmaniac1066]

I like Recoil double foot snake guides on my rods 7 wt or greater, and I often go with Pac Bay titanium stripper (technically only the first guide is the stripper) and on a 12 three more stripper-type, then the snake running guides. As stated above, I would also go with 10 guides plus tip. 18 or 20 as your stripper, then 16 and 10, then you can taper or just go with one size running guides. The taper is really just aesthetic. You could use use size 5 or 6 REC Recoil Snake guides (RSNX) as running guides. 8 is a on the large side, IMHO. So you might go:

20-16-10 dual foot stripper/strippper-type with ceramic-type insert

8-6-5-5-5-5-5-tip top

Also, look at the new NFC Carbon Air (Epitome) blanks.

 

[Rick_n11]

I went with 9 plus tip on an 11wt GB
Rec recoils and rec snake guides
20-16-4-4-4-4-4-4-4

I dont taper snakes on my rods and guides may seem small but they pass all my leader connections fine and that’s what I base my guides sizing off of. May rip one off if I get a line tangle with a tarpon but that can happen with a size 5 or 6, and I can just fix it lol

 

[Renegade]

I like Recoil double foot snake guides on my rods 7 wt or greater, and I often go with Pac Bay titanium stripper (technically only the first guide is the stripper) and on a 12 three more stripper-type, then the snake running guides. As stated above, I would also go with 10 guides plus tip. 18 or 20 as your stripper, then 16 and 10, then you can taper or just go with one size running guides. The taper is really just aesthetic. You could use use size 5 or 6 REC Recoil Snake guides (RSNX) as running guides. 8 is a on the large side, IMHO. So you might go:

20-16-10 dual foot stripper/strippper-type with ceramic-type insert

8-6-5-5-5-5-5-tip top

Also, look at the new NFC Carbon Air (Epitome) blanks.

This is all good advice. I have built plenty just like this. I oversize my tarpon rods running guides because I have had knot issues. Personal preference. 5’s are fine for the line when it comes through correctly.

Personally, I don’t want inserts on my strippers. Again, personal preference.

The 11 GB is one of my all time favorite blanks.
They only make the CO6 in a 12 (no 11)

 

[Moore Lyon and Quick]

Bumping this thread - fished a Gamma Beta 8wt I just finished and used a Cortland Compact Intermediate line in 7/8 wt (275 grains with a 26 ft head) and really liked the combo. It is a clear sink tip, not a full intermediate. I fished light clousers and got good distance with not much effort. Got a few nice reds as well!

 

[jnicosia]

I have the 11wt , it's a stiff stick....lol I use a 12 wt line to cats it.