I came across some rods from Okuma that kind of caught my eye in a local tackle shop. They weren't pricey and I learned after doing some searching that this Evx rod is made from IM8 graphite but the thing that piqued my curiosoity was that the guides were made by Pac Bay and they were called TICH 

1) Are these guides any good?

2) How do they stack up against the Fuji Guides (which I am partial to)?

3) In terms of guide hardness, where would they rank with the say the Alconites in terms of Weight and hardness?

4) Has anyone fished with these rods?

Sorry for all of the questions but if the guides are worthy, I just might pick one up as a gift for my brother.

Thanks!

I don't build with anything other than Fuji®

But here is the direct link to the PacBay Guides..

Tight Lines!!!  

I agree with David.  I have only built three rods but they all came out beautiful and I only used Fuji.  I ordered componets from american tackle and Pac Bay and after seeing them I threw them away instead of returning them fearing that they would end up on someone else's rod.    But seriously, I won't buy a rod off the rack or wrap a rod without Fuji equipment.  PacBay has been around a long time and many manufactures use their stuff but I personall like Fuji.

Thanks! I am also a Fuji fan myself, but I was thinking if these pac bays were decent, then I'd give them a shot. I appreciate the advice.

What do the guides actually enhance in the rod performance???? I wanna know because a rod im looking at doesnt have fuji.

What do the guides actually enhance in the rod performance???? I wanna know because a rod im looking at doesnt have fuji.

Lighter guides reduce the overall weight of the rod which can translate to less fatigue over a long day of fishing.

Guides that are made out of lighter frames and harder insert materials do a better can assist in the transmission of vibrations through the rod to you and thereby can enhance sensitivity. In addition, better guides also can dissipate heat better which for bass fishing is probably not an issue and can withstand the riggers of lines like braid.

If you don't think that a guide's weight means little, take something as light as a dime and put next to your rod's tip and hold the rod. It will feel a heck of a lot heavier yet the net weight of a dime is in and of itself not much.

I wonder why would they do that? The Guide Select series come with Fuji reel seat and Fuji New Concept guides with Alconite inserts .