Any Idea Who Makes......?

[coak]

I was looking at some of the house brand Gander Mountain rods. In particular the GSX Elite II and the GSX Titanium split grip casting rods. I'm just curious if anyone has either experience with these or may know who the house brand blanks are made by????

Thanks,

Coak

[Bass Junkie]

I am not positive about the GSX Elite II, but the GSX Titanium GSX Tourney, and X-Factor rods are all produced and labeled by Quantum.

[ww2farmer]

No idea, but I remember once 4 or 5 years ago I broke my 7' MH/F St Croix Avid casting rod, and didn't have another rod at the time for a back up. While I sent the broken Avid in and waited for the new one, I ran up to Gander Mtn. and bought a 7' MH rod for like $75 bucks to use in the mean time. I was very impressed with it and I kept and used it for a couple months even after I had the replacement Avid. I have since given the rod to my cousin and he still uses it. It was a nice rod for not alot of $$. Fuji reel seat, fuji black framed alconite guides, nice cork etc..

[coak]

Well thanks for the info junkie and farmer. I'm going to perhaps take a closer look at these and see how they feel. I appreciate the info for sure.

[BASSclary]

Its obvious that their reels are pretty much quantums,

But the rods bare no resemblance IMO.

I have heard that Either All Star or St.Croix make them, but their is no real proof i've seen.

[Bass Junkie]

Its obvious that their reels are pretty much quantums,

But the rods bare no resemblance IMO.

I have heard that Either All Star or St.Croix make them, but their is no real proof i've seen.

I was told Quantum manufactured them by a GM associate, but as some models are labeled on the rod I'm assuming would be fairly easy to check for yourself.

[YoungProdigy19]

Gander reels and rods are quantum.

[dropshot40]

As a person who has worked for Gander for 4 years I can shed alot of info on the particulars of their private brand label. First off their reels. The Baitcasters are Quantums. Most of them are stamped on the reel and if not the boxes are.  The spinning reels are kinda split up. The Guide Series, Tournament, and Titanium Reels are currently produced by Wright McGill. Wright took over producing these reels sometime in late spring early fall of 2012. Previous to that the reels were produced by a company called Danco out of Florida. That was a short lived venture of about a year. And before that the reels were done by Pflueger. The only reel left still produced by Pflueger is the X-Factor Spinning. As for the Gander Mountain rods (As well as other retailers and even so called manufacturers) they are produced by the largest manufacturer of rods in the world GLV international. They currently are producing rods for just over twenty companies (Big Box retailers as well as a bunch of Rod/Reel companies which will remain nameless. http://www.glvint.com/index.html

Gander has been using this company for three years. Previous to that it was A Bos Ltd. This doesnt downgrade their quality whatsoever, alot of their rods are high quality with high quality components. I personally love the GSX Elite II. They are light, excellant actions, awesome components, and a great warranty. The Gander I was at we took back any Gander brand rod at any time with no questions asked. I made sure my guys followed this to a tee. It had our name on it. I I never liked some of the rod companies warranties. (Send us a check for 50$ and we will repair or replace etc) So I made sure we took it back and swapped it out with the same or comparable rod. No do all stores do this Im not sure, some may stay strict to the policy (1 year, 2 year etc)..  If your curious sometimes about who makes something for a company look at the first 4 digits of the UPC. That is the manufacturer specific code. Many times retailers will not change this for their system (more work involved) and some will. At Gander when we private labeled something it went under the 4000 UPC beginning. But some items were never changed and left with the manufacturer UPC index. PS incase you ask the Gander Mountain soft plastics are all produced by Big Bite Baits.

[webertime]

2013 Post of the year so far!  Thanks DS40

[A-Jay]

who the house brand blanks are made by????

Thanks,

Coak

 

 

I think his name is Fred . . something.

 

 

A-Jay

[OnthePotomac]

Exactly three years ago I picked up a Titanium 6'6" IM8 M baitcaster on sale for $75 (regular price $100) on year end sale and it has proven to be one heck of a rod.  The thing only weighs 4 oz and you can throw cranks all day on it without  getting tired.  The cork still looks new and it really gets a work out.  I don't know who made that one, but they sure did a great job with quality components.

[dropshot40]

The blanks are manufactured by GLV. They do not buy blanks. They purchase the graphite and produce them. Now I couldnt tell yah where they buy the graphite from.

[dropshot40]

AN update to 2013 product.. Rods continued to be made by GLV international... Baitcast reels are transitioned to Danco from Quantum... Spinning reels im not sure on full assortment but see some going to Danco instead of Wright Mcgill... The X-Factor line of Rods/Reels/Jigs/Spinnerbaits are discontinued...

[Diggy]

They had so much new stuff there this week, this thread helped alot

[Triton Man]

Thank you DS40 for all the info.  I shop at Gander Mtn frequently and always wondered about the rods and reels.  I have a guide series rod I enjoy fishing with.  I bought a GSX Titanium spinning reel that came with a free Gander Mtn Vortex rod a few weeks ago when their spring fishing sale started.  Sadly I have already returned both.  The spinning reel bail wouldn't close most of the time after only about 30 minutes of use and the reel seat screw was cut to short on the rod to even secure my new reel.  I was disapointed but decided to upgrade to a Shimano Symetre reel and got half off the new GS Elite spinning rod.  This rod is very similar looking to the *** *** rods but was $35 dollars less with this deal.  My buddy bought the *** rod in a matching lenght and action and I will be comparing them if the ice ever gets off the lakes here in Michigan.  My biggest concern with the GS Elite is the grip on the spinning rod.  Its shaped pretty well to get your fingers closer to the blank but not sure it will be comfortable after lots of use.  The *** grip seemed very comfortable and is tapered off at the top instead of boxed off like on the GS Elite.  Hopefully performance is the same, actually, hopefully the GS Elite has better performance since thats the one I bought!  The GS Elite is 40 ton Japanese Toray Carbon blanks vs the 30 ton in the *** but that doesn't determine sensitivity alone.

[dropshot40]

No problem.. As no info was available at the time on the Elite when I posted my last posts I have gathered info on the Elite. The Elite was a designed and produced rod for Gander by *** hence alot of the similarites. When first saw I started thinking they were involved but couldnt confirm. Well when another associate was doing a "Pro Deal" (purchase of product thru the manufacturer for a significant discount) on one of the rods, it actually directed him thru a web site of ***. So I can confirm they are. Still all lower models like stated above (Titanium, Tournament, Guide, and Advantage) still are designed are produced by GLV International. That GLV makes alot of rods for many Big Box Stores, as well as many Rod/Reel companies.. One real popular company "Sh" last year began having all their rods done by them. I could go on and on. As for the reels a couple of this years models ( GSX Tourn Pro Spinning or Baitcast - Blue in color or the GSX Elite baitcast- grey color, and the GM FW Spin - Black)  are made by Danco.. I know, never heard of them but the do a ton of private label stuff. The quality of these is a real disappointment. Not too hot.. Other Big name reels can be had for the same or a little more cash that are far superior. Its too bad because the original Titanium spinning reel (Metallic Green) which was done by Danco as well the Original Tournament were work horses. Sold hundreds and never had a single one come back. The Titanium 2 (Metallic Green) which came to be and sold late last year and this year, as well with the Tournament (Silver) were swapped to Wright Mcgill late last season and they have not performed well. The couple baitcasters that were done by Quantum that last couple years I have not been able to confirm if these are a go forward thru the season or the stores are just burning thru remaining stock. (These reels are easily noticeable with their Quantum markings. Yeah the Vortex rod issue was only on the spinning rods and wasnt caught until a week in the field. Funny thing is once it was caught, all the rods were cut in half and thrown in the dumpster. Imagine 40-60 rods per store times 116 stores.. Ouch...Nothing else really too new.. Youll see in the Ganders some new bass jigs by Gander Mountain, awesome jigs. They were originally sold in 2 packs under the X Factor name, but now done individually. These jigs were all produced by Jewel.. Awesome jigs.

Thank you DS40 for all the info.  I shop at Gander Mtn frequently and always wondered about the rods and reels.  I have a guide series rod I enjoy fishing with.  I bought a GSX Titanium spinning reel that came with a free Gander Mtn Vortex rod a few weeks ago when their spring fishing sale started.  Sadly I have already returned both.  The spinning reel bail wouldn't close most of the time after only about 30 minutes of use and the reel seat screw was cut to short on the rod to even secure my new reel.  I was disapointed but decided to upgrade to a Shimano Symetre reel and got half off the new GS Elite spinning rod.  This rod is very similar looking to the *** *** rods but was $35 dollars less with this deal.  My buddy bought the *** rod in a matching lenght and action and I will be comparing them if the ice ever gets off the lakes here in Michigan.  My biggest concern with the GS Elite is the grip on the spinning rod.  Its shaped pretty well to get your fingers closer to the blank but not sure it will be comfortable after lots of use.  The *** grip seemed very comfortable and is tapered off at the top instead of boxed off like on the GS Elite.  Hopefully performance is the same, actually, hopefully the GS Elite has better performance since thats the one I bought!  The GS Elite is 40 ton Japanese Toray Carbon blanks vs the 30 ton in the *** but that doesn't determine sensitivity alone.

[Triton Man]

Even more great information.  Thanks again, I really appreciate all the info on their in house line of products.

[craww]

I have an older elite cranking rod that's very, very nice. It has the nicest cork of any rod I own. Got it on clearance for 30 bucks...

I just wish they didn't put those anti theft things on the rods, can't get a feel for a rod at all.

[johnD.]

As a person who has worked for Gander for 4 years I can shed alot of info on the particulars of their private brand label. First off their reels. The Baitcasters are Quantums. Most of them are stamped on the reel and if not the boxes are.  The spinning reels are kinda split up. The Guide Series, Tournament, and Titanium Reels are currently produced by Wright McGill. Wright took over producing these reels sometime in late spring early fall of 2012. Previous to that the reels were produced by a company called Danco out of Florida. That was a short lived venture of about a year. And before that the reels were done by Pflueger. The only reel left still produced by Pflueger is the X-Factor Spinning. As for the Gander Mountain rods (As well as other retailers and even so called manufacturers) they are produced by the largest manufacturer of rods in the world GLV international. They currently are producing rods for just over twenty companies (Big Box retailers as well as a bunch of Rod/Reel companies which will remain nameless. http://www.glvint.com/index.html

Gander has been using this company for three years. Previous to that it was A Bos Ltd. This doesnt downgrade their quality whatsoever, alot of their rods are high quality with high quality components. I personally love the GSX Elite II. They are light, excellant actions, awesome components, and a great warranty. The Gander I was at we took back any Gander brand rod at any time with no questions asked. I made sure my guys followed this to a tee. It had our name on it. I I never liked some of the rod companies warranties. (Send us a check for 50$ and we will repair or replace etc) So I made sure we took it back and swapped it out with the same or comparable rod. No do all stores do this Im not sure, some may stay strict to the policy (1 year, 2 year etc)..  If your curious sometimes about who makes something for a company look at the first 4 digits of the UPC. That is the manufacturer specific code. Many times retailers will not change this for their system (more work involved) and some will. At Gander when we private labeled something it went under the 4000 UPC beginning. But some items were never changed and left with the manufacturer UPC index. PS incase you ask the Gander Mountain soft plastics are all produced by Big Bite Baits.

 

Let's hear it ! Who else is using them ? I know *** is advertising Japanese Toray blanks.

[BassinB]

^x2 !!

[dropshot40]

Let's hear it ! Who else is using them ? I know *** is advertising Japanese Toray blanks.

 

JohnD, Id like to think I know the ins of everyone but I dont. Well, when I saw the Toray blanks a light went off. I researched alittle and found that the *** *** used 30 Toray and the *** used 40 Toray (Same as the Gander Elite) as well as the use of Evolve reel seats and guides. Looks like they started with the *** rod, down graded the seat, guides and grips and came up with the Gander Elite.. Nice Rod. As for other companies I know Shimano in their Lower rods 149$ and lower are done by GLV. Not sure on their higher ones. Some lines by ABu, Daiw, BP, Cabel, Quant, Berk, Shake, Pflu, All St, Pinna, Fenw, are done as well. Ever notice when a reel company that also has rods comes out with a new reel they get into the factory, how its made, this and that etc.. You dont see that with the rods. I wouldnt doubt for a second any reel company who also does rods outsources the whole thing. Reels are their blood.. So with that said.. Last year when I was in Minnesota for Gander Mountains Fish University (Basically a trade show with all thier suppliers) I had a few minutes of talking to the rep from GLV. ( I had concerns about the steelhead rod they were producing) and asked him some questions about producing rods. Its actually quite amazing. Basically you can either A. Give them a rod you want copied, no matter who its made from and bam you have the exact rod. (Barring any patents i.e. St Croix, G Loomis etc) B. You want a custom rod? Its actually amusing. You pretty much say I want a rod that retails for 149.99 using a  Nano Blank  (Carrot Stix) it needs to have say recoil guides, Fuji skeletal reel seat. We want it split grip with this type of and quality cork. What color blank you want, thread. You want it avail in spin/cast what lengths, actions, tip action etc and shortly there after the supply prototypes to look, feel, use.. If something is a miss, you have them adjust anything you want. Guide location, maybe too light/stiff action then rated and they reconfigure. I wouldnt doubt for a second that pretty much any rod out there that is done in China come thru two of these companies (GLV International, or A Bos Ltd) these are the two power houses in this market. My guess is they use the same factory/s in China for the companies in the US.

[johnD.]

DS40 ,thanks for your time ! Much appreciated !

[dropshot40]

DS40 ,thanks for your time ! Much appreciated !

No problem, It was interesting when I digged into the private label stuff how much I found out. Being im not rich I found alot of private label stuff considerably cheaper. The other thing that kind blew my mind was the price of private label as it gows up the chain. It only confirmed to me why so many reel companies do their own rods because of the money to be had. I.E. a rod that retails for say 49.99 you can bet the retailer bought it for 25.00 give or take a dollar due to the lengths. Now on the manufacturer side that same rod they sold to the retailer for 25.00 they bought it for 7-9 dollars depending on length.. Being my time on the retail side and no in a supplier side its pretty amazing. A 150 retail on a rod? Retailer bought it for 70-80$ and the manufacturer bought that same rod for approx 25$. See why its soo lucative for the reel companies to do rods? Or for a retailer to private label product? The only thing that keeps small tackle shops from private labeling is the cost involved. Most of these companies require a run limit. Usually 500 pcs per length/action/ etc, and not per brand. SO your talking 3000 pcs in a 6 model rod line up. As well these companies are all cash money business. They do not allow you to do terms with them. Its pay upfront or no go. So the little tackle guy the 25k needed upfront to buy and then sitting on 3000 rods is not feasible. Hope I shed a light. As for the Rod companies.. IE Duckett, Dobyns, Denali, the smaller guys.. I would bet alot of money they are the same way. If their stuff is made in China.. I bet they are too using the same Producers I mentioned previous. I just cant confirm that.

[Lil'skeeter]

Dropshot 40, several of your posts state that GLV is the manufacturer or producer. Their web site states they are a wholesaler/dist. for manufacturers in Asia.

[B@ssCrzy]

No problem.. As no info was available at the time on the Elite when I posted my last posts I have gathered info on the Elite. The Elite was a designed and produced rod for Gander by *** hence alot of the similarites. When first saw I started thinking they were involved but couldnt confirm. Well when another associate was doing a "Pro Deal" (purchase of product thru the manufacturer for a significant discount) on one of the rods, it actually directed him thru a web site of ***. So I can confirm they are. Still all lower models like stated above (Titanium, Tournament, Guide, and Advantage) still are designed are produced by GLV International. That GLV makes alot of rods for many Big Box Stores, as well as many Rod/Reel companies.. One real popular company "Sh" last year began having all their rods done by them. I could go on and on. As for the reels a couple of this years models ( GSX Tourn Pro Spinning or Baitcast - Blue in color or the GSX Elite baitcast- grey color, and the GM FW Spin - Black)  are made by Danco.. I know, never heard of them but the do a ton of private label stuff. The quality of these is a real disappointment. Not too hot.. Other Big name reels can be had for the same or a little more cash that are far superior. Its too bad because the original Titanium spinning reel (Metallic Green) which was done by Danco as well the Original Tournament were work horses. Sold hundreds and never had a single one come back. The Titanium 2 (Metallic Green) which came to be and sold late last year and this year, as well with the Tournament (Silver) were swapped to Wright Mcgill late last season and they have not performed well. The couple baitcasters that were done by Quantum that last couple years I have not been able to confirm if these are a go forward thru the season or the stores are just burning thru remaining stock. (These reels are easily noticeable with their Quantum markings. Yeah the Vortex rod issue was only on the spinning rods and wasnt caught until a week in the field. Funny thing is once it was caught, all the rods were cut in half and thrown in the dumpster. Imagine 40-60 rods per store times 116 stores.. Ouch...Nothing else really too new.. Youll see in the Ganders some new bass jigs by Gander Mountain, awesome jigs. They were originally sold in 2 packs under the X Factor name, but now done individually. These jigs were all produced by Jewel.. Awesome jigs.

 

Great info DS40.   Although I hope your wrong!!  I just bought one of the Titanium spinning reels this past Thanksgiving.  I have a tradition that every year during Gander's black Friday sale I go and buy one of their spinning reels that they sell for $30.  Which those reels have been great for me.  I figure if they fall apart $30-$35 in no big deal.   No problems to report. 2010 and 2011 I went with the GSX Tournament series.  However, this year went the Titanium.  I have fished it a few times and have been happy with it, but I guess we will have to see if it holds up.  I guess I will have to look at doing something different this year.