I would like to start a discussion specifically on the application for Great Lakes trolling, wire line rods. I have been told and have had very good success in building trolling rods using Fuji Silicon Nitride (SiN) double foot guides for wire line trolling. Fuji advertises that these guides can be used with wire line.

After several years and about 2 dozen rods, most on charter boats I have yet to have one of these guides fail.

However, when talking to potential customers many of them are set on using roller guides for wire line trolling. Questions to those on the Forum with experience in this area;
1. What if any advantages do roller guides have over SiN double foot guides?
2. Why are some anglers resisting going to the SiN guides? Lack of education as to the SiN guides? Tradition? Past practice?

I have done repairs by replacing roller guides with roller guides but I have never built an entire trolling rod using roller guides.

Any experiences that you have had would be very much appreciated.
Buzz



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2016 11:29AM by Buzz Butters.

Roller guides, provided they are in good working order, reduce friction between line and guides. Now the instant they slow or stop, they're the worst thing you can have on the rod.

So, if customers want them, I'd offer them but with strong commentary that they must be properly maintained. Otherwise it's really an education thing - wire line and ceramic guides, to most fishermen, can't possibly mix. You know they can, but convincing some anglers will take real effort.

.............

Give your customers a hacksaw blade and a large ceramic insert and ask them to try to cut the insert. They won't be able to do it.
Norm

Buzz, All you have to say is this: "and when it comes time to replace the frozen guides, It'll only be half the price of the rod."

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Buzz, I have used wire rods for years on my boat both copper and 7 strand malin steel. Never used roller guides and never had any trouble with the guides you use. I don't know why anyone on the great lakes would want the roller guides except for maybe the tip to replace the twilly we normally use. A full roller guide rod would be only for bling in my opinion and serve only to make the rod way more expensive than it needs to be. As everyone has said above, all their points are valid ones.
Mark
Lyndonville NY

Thank you for the feedback folks, I appreciate it.
Buzz

I have over 70 of these rods fishing the Great Lakes using SN guides, some for as long as 8 years on charter and tourney boats. I have yet to see a failure. Roller guides for wire rods are a thing of the past. I have designed a rod that a major manufacturer will be debuting very soon that will utilize SN guides for Great Lakes wireline applications.

Hey Buzz its been many years since we last talked but I'm curious if you have a good blank recommendation for wire rods for the great lakes. I recently have sold my aluminum boat and am in the process of buying a larger great lakes boat for salmon fishing and wire if very new to me.

Hey Travis, Great to hear from you. Shoot me an email. I have a number of options for you. Its going to take me a few days to reply.
Buzz

Comments deleted



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:07PM by John E Powell.