Who's used them?  I have wanted to for a while but the cost has kept me away.  I honestly doubt there is much of a noticable difference in performance over some other guides but I have a couple blanks on order that I'd like to go all out with and can't quite convince myself to pull the trigger.  ...lol

Hoping for feedback from any of you that have built or fished with Gold Cermets.

Thanks,

Keith

Hey Keith,

I don't have to tell you that opinions are like noses. Everyone has one and they always have holes in them. So here is mine. I have looked at high end titanium & gold cermet guides and have been tempted to try them too. However I have looked closely at rods (even cheap ones) that I have fished for many years and I can' find any sign of wear or problems. Granted all those years (on the old rods) were fished with mono and no braid. My conclusion is good quality SiC guides will perform as well as any, even with braid, if you keep them clean. If I were going to spend an extra $50 or more on a rod build, I would put it in the blank ($50 can turn a GL3 into an IMX on some models), but that's just me. Whatever you decide, I want to see some pictures.

Ronnie

Hey Ronnie,

I can go ya one better. I just got my hands on one of my older builds (13 yrs old), that the owner (tournament angler) used nothing but braids on. This rod was built with Fuji® Hardloy guides (just like I build with today). There is absolutely no damage (grooves, or chips) in any of the guides..

When it comes to high end guides, I don't think that they make any difference in the way a rod fishes. But must agree with you that the extra money that would be spent for high end guides, better placed into the blank choice, is were the finished product would show the difference.

Tight Wraps All!  

If I were going to spend an extra $50 or more on a rod build, I would put it in the blank ($50 can turn a GL3 into an IMX on some models)

Thanks guys... I hear ya on the "put the money in the blank" and I already did that!

I don't worry about braid, or wearing out guides.  I'm just looking for the ultimate in performance... even if I can only gain in the balance dept. (physical weight)

I have been using Ti framed SiC's on a few of my builds and from a balance standpoint I can measure the benifit with a scale.  (I use a grain scale for the tip with a fulcrum at my hand's fulcrum)  I just didn't know if there was any noticable advantage to jumping again to the cermets.  The price difference is BIG so I hoped there would be something tangible.  The difference from alconites was a very small gain... like anything in rods there is a point of diminishing returns, and I think I found it's limit.

I have no problem staying with the Ti SiC's but always looking to improve something if I can.  It was too much $$$ to just order them and try without some "good publicity" before hand.  ...lol  

Whatever you decide, I want to see some pictures

Will do.  I'll also let you inspect them personally at Fork!!  

Will do.  I'll also let you inspect them personally at Fork!!  

You bet! I am counting the days till that trip. I'm thinking about building a swimbait rod to challenge them monsters with. I need it like I need a hole in the head, but it would be a fun winter project and I already have the perfect reel. We'll see.....

Ronnie

I'm thinking about building a swimbait rod to challenge them monsters with. I need it like I need a hole in the head

Probably the only swimbait action I'll try will be a Matt's bluegill on the beds, if there are any bedding that early.  (just to try the SB on a bedding female)  I typically don't fish beds but I would like to see the swimbait get nailed once.

Like you, I'll be drilling a couple more holes in my head this winter!!!!