Im not sure what inserts it has, is it safe to use with braid?

Thanks,

 

ya

Yep, my only GL2 I own is a 893c.  I use braid all the time.  I use it for spinnerbaits or buzz baits. 

I may be wrong  but I don't think there is a decent rod made today which is not immune to "braid wear" on the inserts.  This is according to my rod building friends, who are surprised the subject keeps coming with the insert materials used today.

Any reputable brand of rod using quality rod-guides will allow you to use braid.

The rods where it may not be advised are in the $20-range on Walmart shelves, and even some of those would be fine.

I use braid on my gl2

 No wear or tear so far.

 

Fwiw I just started a thread about duckett ghosts wearing grooves with line, so there are definitely still rods that don't 

You'll be fine. 

If it's a ceramic insert, you'll be just fine.

It uses Aluminum Oxide inserts, perfectly fine but a little low budget for a rod in the $200 range, they could have at least gone zirconia but the aluminum oxide is fine for braid.

I would hope a $200 rod from one of the most reputable rod companies would hold up to braid.  The only ones I've had groove were chrome inserts from cheaper rods.  I use braid almost exclusively and haven't had a problem.  I have rods at every price range from $50 to $600 and the only ones that grooved were chrome.  I'm surprised they put aluminum oxide inserts in a $200 rod though.

Just my experience, but if you catch enough fish, eventually most all tip tops will go bad and need to be replaced from using braid. Have never had an issue (from braid) with any of the other guides on a rod. May not be a problem for many, but I've replaced the tip tops on 5 or 6 rods now, everything from $300 customs to $50 Berkley's. All have been spinning rods as I almost never use braid on baitcasters. Only one rod down with tip wear at the moment and it's a Loomis GL2/3 

-T9

43 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Just my experience, but if you catch enough fish, eventually most all tip tops will go bad and need to be replaced from using braid. Have never had an issue (from braid) with any of the other guides on a rod. May not be a problem for many, but I've replaced the tip tops on 5 or 6 rods now, everything from $300 customs to $50 Berkley's. All have been spinning rods as I almost never use braid on baitcasters. Only one rod down with tip wear at the moment and it's a Loomis GL2/3 

-T9

How do you replace the tips without cutting off part of the tip of the rod?  I was wondering because I have a st. Croix triumph that has lost the guide insert on the tip and is a little bent up because of it.

20 hours ago, IndianaFinesse said:

How do you replace the tips without cutting off part of the tip of the rod?  I was wondering because I have a st. Croix triumph that has lost the guide insert on the tip and is a little bent up because of it.

You can either take it to a shop and get it repaired, or tackle it yourself. I use a razor blade to scrape any epoxy/covering/wrap that overlays the tiptop, then being careful, use a heat gun or a lighter to simply heat the glue/cement that holds the tip in place, carefully pulling off the tip once the glue softens/melts. Once removed, simply clean up the blank a bit, then using a new guide and some rod tip glue, melt some back onto the tip of the blank and then place the new guide on straight. Most stores sell replacement kits, but you might have to visit a specialty tackle store if you want higher end components.

-T9

I had a local tackle shop replace a tip and all they did was hold a lighter underneath the tip until the glue was soft enough where the tip would just slide off.