Like to get your opinions on halibut rods and if you have roller guides, regular guides or combination. I have been told that roller guides and some types of line don't work well together and others have said that it isn't a problem.
What type of rod do you use with what type of line??

Thanks

my first hali rod was a penn meatstick with a roller guide at the tip top, and with spectra line, i found that occasionally the line would get caught between the roller and the frame. to prevent this i had to tighten the screw on the roller shaft to close the gap. when you do this, it can cause the roller to stop rolling (kind of a fine adjustment). i don't think it's a real big deal, but my current halibut setup is an okuma 8' celilo sturgeon rod with a non-rolling tip. i don't think that there is a great issue with wear on the spectra, but can't say for sure.


willy

When using the braided lines such as power-pro I would recommend using a non roller type of guide to prevent the line from getting caught in the guide.
I have found this out from personal past experiences.

Steve Ng

Roller guides add another moving part which can fail or cause problems at the worst time,I think they're useless.

Roller guides are not necessary, imo. However, they do make cranking a couple of pounds of weight up from the abyss from a rod holder easier. If I were to chose a rod with rollers, they'd be only on the stripper guide and tiptop.

I think using the newer rods with the rollers might be a little better? My lamiglasses have the rollers set back in the housing a little. I have full rollers, partial rolloers and non -rollers. I really don't notice that much difference. Especially how many times a year you even use them. With the thinner spectra lines now, I would definetly look at the rollers before you buy and make sure there are no gaps at all. If you use 80# spectra, it is a little thicker than the 50 or 65#. The lighter will go in the rllers easier. The other is if you are not going to religiously oil them after use, don't get them. These roller bearings will not be smooth possibly next time you go out. I know this from experience. I went out and one rod had a roller that was not turning, but the line is so slick it was sliding over the roller. This is one that worms around a couple of rollers. You couldn't even tell without looking really close. this would have been bad news had I cought a fish without knowing this. I would weigh it out on how much you want to spend verses how often you will use it. I think more important than the rollers is getting the shorter rods for leverage. I really like the 5'6" and have about half a dozen of them. Especially pumping a fish up from really deep water. This really makes a difference when you are pulling one up from 650+ feet. Anything helps.

No roller guides.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Bein a rod builder and life long fisherman, including halibut, i'd say to heck with roller guides, same as above, line get between roller and frame! No need for them at all, just more of a hassle and another cause to loosin a fish, but they do have some new Acid Roller Guides out that are built to prevent this, i haven't used them, but a good friend of mine has a Forecast Tough Stick with these on them, sweet guides, only rollers i would recommend and if anybody wants to try them, let me know, i could get some or give u contact! Just my .02 cents!

I use a "Seeker" stand-up tuna rod 6'6" rated at 20-80lbs. with no rollers, 80lb. Tuffline.

I have and use a Fenwick 5'5" w all rollers - aftco - I would agree w comments about 35-60ish # lines getting between roller and roller frame. Sweet short rod tho. I get to Socal where Seekers are made now and then - they are a really nice rod esp the Black Steel series. I think they compare very favorably to Loomis Pelagic series for less money - and people actually stock them - down there anyway.

I use lami's 6' for w just roller tip for guys fishing with me...they never seem to complain...

JD

I've cut grooves in non roller tip tops, which could easily part a line, a bad thing!
Rollers are a pain some times, but I do try to pay attention so as not to jam the line between the roller and the housing.

My rods usually break long before they have a chance to develop any grooves. Guests, high sticking butts

Perhaps I've moved to much line.