Why do some rods you buy have guides that sit at an angle (like the photo I attached) and some are level? Just curious.

All my rods I customize like that after stepping on them while laying on the boat deck. 

I think it’s an aesthetic idea. The okuma celilo line sports guides like this. I didn’t notice it until I got into the parking lot and thought some dip stick probably bent them on purpose I went back into the store to exchange the rod. Even the clerk thought that was messed up. 

 

It was was then I realized that every one of those rods were like that so I was the dip stick. That was at least 7 years ago and I’ve never looked back. 

 

I can’t see any advantage angled or perpendicular guides might have over each other  but this rod has probably caught the most fish of all my rods combined. The look kind of grows on you. 

It's a fashion statement. But a pretty good one. Go to this extreme - the guides tilted (even slightly) back. It would just look so wrong!

The rod needs to have a foward look to it. Its duty is to cast forward. This line guide tilt exemplifies this.

 

Karl

 

(Level line guides - no harm no foul)