[Mattman]

Braid or mono has nothing to do with grooving. Even fly anglers groove all metal guides. And it has nothing to do with the baits you were throwing. Metal is an inferior material for a guide ring, period. It isn't the line that grooves your guides, its the grit from the water clinging to the line that grooves your guides. And rivers have more grit than lakes.

I don't think you'll be able to remove those easily. If I were to try something like that I'd probably start with a Dremel and a fine stone or fine sandpaper. Then you'd have to work up with finer and finer grits and finally polishing compound. But I hardly feel that's worth it or that you'll get a satisfactory result.

If you really love the rod, you could look at having someone replace all the guides with ceramic guides. Or just keep using it until the gooving becomes problematic.

This is exactly why all metal guides will never go on any of my personal rods. And I fully advise customers that insist on metal guides that grooving is very likely down the road.