Guide Series Rods

[Rozman]

I know there have been a ton of posts on rods and reels. And I have read so many good things about Thorne Bros. rods that eventually I will step up and buy one(or 2 or 3). Just wondering if any of you out there use the Gander Mtn guide series rod and reels. I am new to icefishing and purchased a couple a while back. Thanks

[Ralph Wiggum]

Don't let all the Thorne Bros posts make you think that you need to spend that kind of money on a rod to catch fish. Last winter was the first winter that I seriously spent some time ice fishing, and believe me, you can do just fine with lesser equipment than an LX-5 and Thorne Bros rods. I have not used any Gander rods/reels, but I've heard good things about them, and GM will stand behind thier product, too.

I'm sure Thorne makes a fabulous rod, but I'm not so hardcore that I feel the need to drop that kind of cash on ice rods. I'd rather buy 3-4 for the money!

[Rugbyguy]

The Guide Series rods and reels are very nice. They are not going to be as good as a custom rod, but they are not near the price either. Also, if anything happens to the rod or reel Gander will always take care of you.

[Flaco651]

My buddy has broke 2 Guide Series rods this year. Not the rods fault either time. I know he slammed one in a car door. He just took the rods back to Gander and they replaced them no questions asked.

[iland99]

I've had a few Gander Guide Series combos for 3 full ice seasons now, and still use them quite a bit. I've caught a ton of fish on them. The warranty is outstanding. I ran one $20 combo over with my truck and took it in to Gander, and since they didn't sell the rod seperate from the combo, they let me pick out a $20 rod for free. I've also bought a couple Guide Series reels to use on some of my other rods, and they've all worked great for me.

[Rozman]

Wow, good to hear they warranty their product like that. The 2BB reel that came with the rod feels really smooth. Well, with the ice up (hopefully )coming soon, I will be able to test it out soon enough. Thanks

[Cowgirladdict]

Quote:

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My buddy has broke 2 Guide Series rods this year. Not the rods fault either time. I know he slammed one in a car door. He just took the rods back to Gander and they replaced them no questions asked.

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I dont have any ice fishing rods, but i have a few Guide Series muskie rods and yes return at anytime no questions asked and if you simply want to upgrade you can bring in old one and use it towards purchase of new one, great deal in my opinion

[Farley]

I have a couple guide series combos, the rods are sweet, the reels not so much, no anti-reverse whatsoever. Personally, I hate a reel that doesnt have instant anti-reverse, but it's probably fine for someone else. I've bought a lot of guide series stuff (waders, bibs, jackets, rods, reels, etc...) and have always gotten what I've wanted out of them.

[iland99]

Farley, what Guide Series reels do you have? All of mine have instant anti-reverse. I'm surprised to hear that yours don't.

[smg04]

i just picked up another guide series ice combo on tue night, very nice, i compared it side by side with the st. coix premier combo, and it was no comparison in quality, was $5 cheaper too

[Farley]

Not sure which one I have. I can look when I get home, I bought it a few years ago, maybee they have changed it since then. It's a small panfish ice rod and reel combo. I also bought, at the same time, a jigging combo for walleyes that did the same thing.

[jigginjim]

I have been using guide series rods&reels for about 5 years. Both the summer and winter reels have held up to

all the use this things get both on my own and my guide service. The clients think they are using really high dollar stuuff. I do have St. Croix avid rods but still matched with guide series reels. That way people can see the difference in the rods. Many of the reels gander sells are made by phfuigar, and I feel as good as shimano's.

[Coach1310]

I like the rods, but I haven't had the great experience with getting a broken one replaced. They wouldn't take mine because I didn't have the receipt! It was the St. Cloud Gander. Is this the policy elsewhere??? I understand the receipt thing, but it says GANDER right on the rod...is it because they may think I bought it at another Gander store?? Otherwise, I have been extremely happy with my summer and winter Gander rods

[I_Love_Nuge]

I personally don't have a Guide Series rod but I know quite a few people who do and they seem to like them. The only thing I don't like about the ice rods is that the guides look too small, especially the first guide which looks like it could cause some line tangling. IMO

[OnTheWater]

Coach- I'm suprised you had a problem returning the rod; you can return it to any Gander store. I bet if you go back, you won't have a problem. You probably just ended up talking to a stickler at the counter.

As far as the ice reels...try comparing one to the st. croix reels, you'll be suprised.

[pathogen]

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Farley, what Guide Series reels do you have? All of mine have instant anti-reverse. I'm surprised to hear that yours don't.

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I have four of them that I like very much for ice fishing pannies. Nice reliable drag and mine have the instant anti-reverse as well. I plan on picking up two more before the water gets hard. The last two I got we very reasonable, i think $19.99 each.

[caseymcq]

I have lucked out and been able to pick a couple up towards the end of the season. They are usually $10 at that time and I realy like them. I have been able to get Pinacle Reels for $15 at that time too. For $25 they turn out to be really nice combos.

[DEADhead]

I had a tip top break last year on a lite rod that was just over a year old. Gander mountain exchanged it no problem. the rod was on a IM6 blank. decent action on, not the most sensative rod, but a good value, and had a nice feel in your hand.

I've got two microlite reels. Anti reverse, I think 4 or 5 BBs. They are the perfect size for ice fishing. One of the reels works pretty good. The other one the drag is a little sticky and there's not much leeway between too much and too little drag. I haven't really been able to adjust it. They are nice but there are definitely better reels out there for the money. I have 4 Tica Cetus' and will continue to buy Tica from now on.

[so haaad]

Gander is very good about replacing their rods. I've snapped two now and they returned both. I haven't used their ice rods. Although I bought a reel a couple years ago that had a pretty poor drag system. The drag on my twenty year old shimano is much better.

[gvg_uwec]

Went to gander tonight to pick up a couple last minute hunting items and ended up more pumped up about ice fishing than hunting. Nothing new though. I ended up picking one of these combos tonight, 25" medium light 6ball bearing, instant anti reverse reel with removable spring bobber for 24.99, I know you cant go wrong with that combo at that price.

BTW guide series micro reels instant anti reverse w 10 ball bearings for 17.99 with extra spool. Couldnt find a rod I liked to pair with that reel so i went with the combo, i still may go back and pick up a reel or two for replacing my non instant anti reverse reels.