If you have an 8' blank and you will be using between a 5000 and a 6000 size spinning reel with braid what size should your guides be? also how much space between the stripper guide (er... Stripping guide?) and the spool? Not really building a new rod so much as trying to make an old one better. It's one that I use mostly for stripers in tailrace areas, might also see a little surf duty.