American Tackle rod building: guides and reel seats

2012: Launch of the MicroWave guide system
Oviedo, Florida: Brand headquarters in the USA
Ring Lock: Patented guide design with a pressed ring

The story of the brand

From Florida to MicroWave, the guide rethought

American Tackle Company International is based in Oviedo, Florida. The brand designs rod components: guides, reel seats, grips and blanks. Production is handled by independent partner factories in the United States and Asia.

In 2012, American Tackle unveiled the MicroWave system at the ICAST show in Orlando. Doug Hannon, a bass angler known as The Bass Professor, came up with it and developed it with the brand. This patented guide system is built for better line control. American Tackle also owns the patented Ring Lock design, and its Nanolite guides use a zirconium based ceramic.

In 2023, the G2 Tsuka 2 carbon handle won Best of Show at ICAST. The same year, Foundation Outdoor Group acquired American Tackle and Mud Hole. Rodhouse now offers its guides, G2 reel seats and grips for saltwater, freshwater, carp and fly fishing.

Our American Tackle articles

Key dates

2012 MicroWave guide system unveiled at ICAST
2023 The G2 Tsuka 2 handle wins Best of Show at ICAST
2023 Acquired by Foundation Outdoor Group, along with Mud Hole

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Where are American Tackle components made?

American Tackle Company International is based in Oviedo, Florida. The brand designs its guides, reel seats and grips.

Production is handled by independent partner factories located in the United States and Asia. American Tackle does not state the factory for each item.

What is the American Tackle MicroWave guide system?

MicroWave is a patented guide system built for better line control. Doug Hannon, a bass angler, came up with it and developed it with American Tackle.

The system was unveiled at the ICAST show in Orlando in 2012. At Rodhouse, you will find it as single guides, as a set and in a Carp & Surf Caster version.

Which American Tackle guides suit my fishing?

For braid or mono, the Vortex Air guides have no ceramic ring and stay light. The double foot version and the carp pack suit carp rods.

Ring Lock Nanolite guides pair a pressed ring with a zirconium ceramic. Pentalite and Ti Forged Air guides use a titanium frame, a good match at sea. For fly rods, pick the snake guides and the large loop tip tops.

American Tackle at Rodhouse

Rodhouse offers a wide choice of American Tackle parts for your next build. The range covers rod guides, tip tops, reel seats and grips. You will also find butt caps, winding checks and a gimbal for boat fishing.

These parts suit saltwater, freshwater and fly rods. Several items target carp fishing, with double foot guides and matching butt caps. The brand designs its parts in Florida and has them built by partner factories.

Choosing in the range

Start with your technique, then your line type. The blank diameter then sets the size of each part.

For braid or mono, the Vortex Air guides have no ceramic ring and keep the rod light.
For a carp rod, pick the Vortex Air double foot model or the carp pack.
Ring Lock Nanolite guides pair a pressed ring with a zirconium ceramic.
Pentalite and Ti Forged Air guides use a titanium frame, a good match at sea.
For fly rods, choose the snake guides and the large loop tip tops.

For the handle, the G2 reel seats come in casting and spinning: AERO, DAGGER, BRAVO2, VIBE2 and WAVE. The G2 carbon grip kits fit these seats. There are also adjustable full length G2 kits. Not sure about a size or a guide train? Send us your blank and your technique. Our team will suggest the right parts.

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American Tackle guides American Tackle tip top guides

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American Tackle: rod guides, reel seats and grips

From Florida to MicroWave, the guide rethought

Key dates

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Products

Hook Keeper

Hook Keeper

Aluminum Winding Checks for G2 Carbon Handle Split Grips

Aluminum Winding Checks for G2 Carbon Handle Split Grips

Ti Forged Air Guide

Ti Forged Air Guide

Vortex Air Double Foot Guides

Vortex Air Double Foot Guides

Single Foot Wire Fly Guide

Single Foot Wire Fly Guide

CFG

CFG

DELTA Snagless Tip-Tops

DELTA Snagless Tip-Tops

G2 Carbon Handle Butt Cap