I stopped by mudhole to pick a few brains and pick up a set of alconite guides. All of the guides I used are all stainless and the lightest affordable high frame guides they had, the alconite a close second and smoother internal rings. In conversation it came up that they’ve seen a few instances of the same blanks not casting the same. I’m changing the guides on my 6’ build and see if it improves the casting. It does well but not as good as the 5’6”. The flex of the blank being slightly longer can also be part of it, but I’m not changing length. This rod is sweet when fighting a fish and I want the Soare on it. All of your testing is helping me look into my own dilemma. Thanks Guys.