Question on guides on ice rods

[MasterGophHunter]

I'm thinking about buying a new ice rod but all of the rods seem to have very small guides. Why do they have small guides? All they do is make twists in your line. The only rods I found that had bigger guides were Rapala and Berkley Lightning Rods. I just don't get why they waste their time on improving rods for sensitivity and dumb electric motors that "jig" and then don't put decent sized guides on them.

-MGH-

[f1sh1nfool]

this year i've seen a few more rods out there with larger size guides. I spend most of my time outside and i will not buy a rod with the small guides. I think i have a couple of rapala rods, a shakespear rod and a couple of thorne bros rods with good size guides.

[Paul Waldowski]

I would contact Midwest Rod and Reel and talk with Bill or Al. They can probably build you one with whatever kind of eyes you would like.

[priorbass]

Give us a call Master ...we would be happy to build one up the why you would like it...check the web site and take a look...you can find the phone number there or e-mail us...hope you find what you are looking for

[Philo]

I too prefer large guides on my ice poles. That's why almost all of my rods are St. Croix Premiere as they have the largest guides that I know of. I use the medium light flex. Very nice.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Smaller Guides are less weight, and are also more sensitive. I also dont feet that the guide has anything to do with line twist. Line twist is caused by 2 diffferent things... Lure spin, and reeling against the drag of a spinning reel.

Small guides do freeze up quicker. I do most of my fishing in a portable, I like the smaller guides.

[Northlander]

Most important is if ya use small eyes use a small reel. I hate reeling in and having my line hiting the 1st eye and causing my bait and line to hop. If your rod tip is bouncing while you reel in either your reel is too big or eyes are too small. Lots of rods come with the 1st eye too close to the reel and too small.

[Ray Esboldt]

I'll second (or third or whatever) the large guide deal. I think everything works smoother with large guides. The drag on my reels always seem to work better, line feeds out easier, and things don't freeze up as easily with large guides.

Paul is correct Midwest Rod and Reel's Tactical Ice Rods fits the large guide criteria. Not huge, but just right. I received 28" UL yesterday from Midwest, and it matches my ice rod desires perfect.