Who has tried Fuji KR guide concept?

Ok I have posted here recently about building my first crappie rod . I have chosen , Rainshadow REVS90L-2SB 2 Piece Revelation , this blank . Having recieved advice here from other members I have kept persuing knowledge about rod building options . I have discovered with proper guides and guide placement I can reap some custom rod benefits such as longer casts ,fewer tangles and a lighter more sensitive rod . This has led me to the Fugi Guide Systems specifically the KR Guide system . I get the general idea about the fast reduction of guide sizes and how it saves weight on the rod in the end . Selecting the proper guides and guide positions is a little fuzzy for me . I have seen charts that specify for this length of rod buy these guides and place them here and I have found software that I suspect is a bit more accurate and specific . Has anyone here tried this system if so how did you determine guide size and spacing ? Did it work as advertised ? This truly looks like an opportunity to make something a bit more unique than I am used to using so I thought it be wise to get others opinions on the subject . Thank you for reading this and thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge.

I use Fuji's KR concept on almost all my spinning rod builds. The stripper guide size is determined by your reel size, and line size and type. Then space the remaining reduction guides from the stripper to the choke guide. Running guide size and number is your choice. Static test guide placement determines where to position the running guides.

KR Groups | Anglers Resource

KR Guide Placement Software | Anglers Resource

The system works very well. The rod builds are light and responsive. I also use Fuji's system with Pac Bay Match guides.

The key to having a longer cast is having the right blank that will load up the lure and the thinnest line you can get away with first and foremost. Guides do play a role but its a great pissing match of what is the best so don't get hung up on that. They way I look at things is FUJI is the standard everything is measured from so why leave it. If I build a spinning rod from a UL for bream /crappie to a MH for bass / inshore for trout and reds, I use the KL-H guide set and it works great for me. The stripper guide is based off the angle the line is coming from the reel so as a rule of thumb I use a 20 size on 1000-2000 size reel and a 25 to a 30 Size on a 2500-4000. If you want to make it easy on getting the right "guide set" the link I posted will get you started and make things a little simpler to understand. There is also a basic spacing chart to at the bottom. If you have any questions on something you can call mudhole and talk to someone and they can figure out how to help you. Way back when I was starting I used to call them and ask all kinds of questions and they really helped me on things I couldn't find information about. Over all I think you would be happy with that guide set. If you want to see a build with them I have some pictures of a ones I have built. One thing about that guide set I like is there are more guides in the set. "A" it makes a shorter run between the guides making the line have less of a angle from guide to guide and follows the curve of the blank better. One easy way to brake a blank is not having enough guides and the line angle is to sharp the extra stress on the blank will lead it to fail. And "B" it has more points of contact on the blank witch help with sensitivity. I have a program I put the information of the blank and the number of guides I want to use and it gives me a spacing but there are always times you have to do a load test to see if it will work on that blank. Guide spacing charts are more of guide lines that you have to adjust most the time. One thing I would also tell you on a rod that long is when you glue the handle up leave the butt of the rod off . Long rods will be tip heavy and after you have the rod wrapped you can put the reel on it and use weight in the but to balance the rod out. I know adding weight seems like a stupid thing but adding what ever weight in the butt can make the rod feel lighter in your hands. I always do this on long rods like that or say a flipping stick for example. Everyone gets hung up on trying yo build it as light as they can and a tip heavy rod is the worst thing to fish a long day with.

Fuji KL-H Spinning Rod Guide Kits | MudHole.com

Thanks for the replies. A couple of questions if I may . I am in the process of studying your replies to better understand what you are telling me . I definately understand weighting the rod butt for balance ,Slabmaster what do you use for a weighting material and I assume you epoxy it in place ?
Are the lower priced Fugi guides ok to use with braid the Pac Bay does seem to carry more bang for the buck ?

Any guide with a ceramic ring works well with braid. I've fished with Fuji Fazlite guides, as well as the Ziroconia and Hialoy rings from Pac Bay.

I recently reworked a Lightning Rod that was given to me and while not the lightest, it will fling a 1/16 jig forever. I went with an inexpensive set of all metal concept guides and this added two guides more than it came with. They were also much lighter but with the two piece handle and lighter guides it still balances nicely. Fishing it since doing the work leaves me very surprised. More sensitive and casts as well or better than before. I wanted the lightest guides in a concept style and glad I could pic the brain of the guys at Mudhole, they know their stuff. Hope yours meet your expectations and enjoy the build, it’s great fun.

If your going after crappie and maybe get a bass or cat here and there, I don,t think You would have a problem with the fazlite guide. Going after lager game fish that rip drag with fast and long guides I would go to a higher end guide that can handle the heat and sawing on the guide. And yes I use a tungsten worm weight and epoxy it in the but when I put the butt on the rod.

Thanks for the help . I have decided on Fuji Alconite guides they seem to be a good bang for the buck. I do plan on balancing the rod when its done,now its time to make a parts list and just do this lol. I hope the end result is worth the effort , time will tell .

I use the Microwave guides which sets the first stripper guide at 19". Use 10 guides on a 10' rod, BUT THE BIG SECRET TO LONGER CAST IS THE ARBOR SIZE OF YOUR SPINNING REEL: ie PFLUEGER ARBOR 30 OR 34 IF YOU CAN FIND THEM> I have 6 and they cost me a