Im trying to put together an ice rod for someone and they are requesting the "black imitation recoil guides" because they are cheaper than the "real" REC recoil guides. I have no idea what he is talking about and he can't come up with a brand. Any suggestions? Thanks, Buzz

Buzz,
I expect that they are talking about the Pac Bay minima 4 guides with the Tich finish. They look nearly the same as the recoil guides.

Be safe

oh, ok thanks Roger

There's also the Flexilite guides from Janns.
They have silver and TICH versions.

[www.jannsnetcraft.com]

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

I would say the Jannsnet craft

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

x2 I don't know anyone who would say that Minima's and Recoils look the same.

Flexlites my man, he wants Flexlites, and only Jann's Netcraft sells them.

Flexlites, got it guys thank you very much

Somehow asking for cheap guides on a custom rod just doesn't seem to fit.

Expensive does not necessarily mean better, and inexpensive does necessarily mean cheap. There are things known as good buys. If you get the same function for less money why not?
Norm

That’s a pretty big IF!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Michael Danek Wrote:
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> Somehow asking for cheap guides on a custom rod
> just doesn't seem to fit.

I'm not trying to start a debate, but there's a few highly respected builders out there that absolutely refuse to use recoils but they will use flexlites.

Recoils are made of a specific substance: a solid nickel-titanium alloy, which gives these guides these guides very specific physical qualities, some of which are unique and attractive to anglers. Other guides composed of different metals are made to mimic the appearance of recoils but do not have their physical qualities or durability. If you are chiefly concerned with appearance the difference in durability and performance between guides is not an issue.

Michael,
The customer told me what he liked about his current rod and what he wants to change with the custom ice rod. I could not identify the guides he told me he had on his current rod so that I could suggest a better quality for his custom rod. I like to ID what he likes and does not like about current rods before I suggest components. It was his description of the current guides that I was trying to ID. Flexlite guides ARE the guides he was trying to describe I don't use "cheap" parts on my custom rods.

However, Im not going to suggest Recoil guides for an ice rod where there are less expensive, and sometimes better functioning guides that are available for what is needed for the rod. I was looking for the Flexlite identification and got it. thank you all.
Buzz

The flexlites are very good guides. They dont bend and snap back like the recoils. I like to use them on Ultra lite spinning rods to keep weight down.

The guides you use on an ice fishing rod won't affect your casting. Unless you do an incredible amount of ice fishing you won't wear grooves in any type of guides. Ice fishing guides are not exposed to corrosion from salt water. Ice fishing rods often get a lot of punishment during transportation and when they are slapped against solid objects to break the ice out of the guides. I would use inexpensive, oversize, stainless steel snake guides.