Kistler frog rod

[PNWBass]

I am looking at getting a new frog rod and after having picked up my first kistler a few months ago would like to give there’s a go. However, when I look at the blanks it seems their heavy power rods are all moderate action. Normally my frog rods are heavy power fast action. Does anyone use one of those heavy power moderate action rods for frogging? What’s your opinion?

[PNWBass]

I guess I would be interested in opinions of other on what action you like on a frog rod and why. I’ve always been a fast action fan, have not considered a moderate action for a frog rod before. 

[swhit140]

I'm using a KLX734 Med Hvy/Fast Action for my frogs/topwaters.

 

[new2BC4bass]

swit140, do the rods have a true Fast action?

[swhit140]

Yes it is a fast action. I feel that the 4 power rods are a very solid Medium Heavy. The 3 power is more of a moderate-fast action.

[FryDog62]

I prefer a MH Fast tip section to be able to cast lighter hollow body frogs farther and to be able to “walk-the-dog.” But then have a true Heavy backbone/butt section to fight the fish away from cover. Unfortunately I don’t think Kistler makes that type of hybrid rod. The ALX Toadface is a great hybrid option if you’re willing to look at something besides Kistler.

[PNWBass]

Does the 4 power kistler have enough back bone to get fish out of pads and weeds with a frog? I’ve always been a heavy power fan for frog rods. I only have one kistler so far, a helium 7 foot 4 power casting rod that I use for skipping jigs and Texas rigs at docks. It’s my favorite rod right now and want to get some more

[txchaser]

On 10/5/2020 at 11:03 AM, PNWBass said:

their heavy power rods are all moderate action.

I think you should email them, I doubt he changed all the rods to mod- only. 2019 were mostly XF on the heavies I looked at, and the one I have. With that said, I use it for a jig/bottom rod and use something with more give in the tip for the frog. 

[Longsticker]

I tried the KLX 7' Heavy MODerate for frogging, it was far too stiff for my liking!  I tried the 4 power Argon for frogging and I felt like it did not have enough power for ripping em out of the thick stuff, obviously the KLX is a different blank so maybe it would be a tad stronger!  I'm still using my old Kistler Graphite series 6'9" Spinnerbait special for my frogging but she's falling apart fast from abuse!

[NOC 1]

On 10/6/2020 at 9:21 PM, txchaser said:

I think you should email them, I doubt he changed all the rods to mod- only. 2019 were mostly XF on the heavies I looked at, and the one I have. With that said, I use it for a jig/bottom rod and use something with more give in the tip for the frog. 

For a few dollars more, you can use the build your own option on the Kistler website and specify that any of thier blanks can be configured how you want it. I'd be willing to bet you could come up with something pretty close to what you want that way.

[PNWBass]

On 10/19/2020 at 9:00 AM, NOC 1 said:

For a few dollars more, you can use the build your own option on the Kistler website and specify that any of thier blanks can be configured how you want it. I'd be willing to bet you could come up with something pretty close to what you want that way.

No all the blanks stay the same. I ordered one up and if anything almost feels too stiff. Think it should work out perfectly 

[Lead Head]

I use an older green bps extreme H for frogging. It says its fast but I would call it moderate fast at best. The tip is extremely soft... after using it I discovered I really loved that soft tip for skipping under overhangs and walking the frog. The slower than "normal" fast action means I need to really drop the hammer on hooksets, not all that difficult with heavy braid. I can't recall ever feeling a fish and not getting a hook in it. Another good thing about the slower action is I very rarely lose a fish after its hooked. I built up a heavy Xtra fast rod for frogging last year and hated it. I lost as many fish as I landed. Pretty much anything I didn't rip across the surface to the boat would shake free. I'm guessing that had as much to do with me as it did the rod because some people love XF frog rods. If the moderate action on the Kistler is on the faster side, and not a total noodle, I wouldn't be afraid to frog with it at all. 

 

Thats my experience anyway. I would strongly suggest a phone call or email to Kistler before pulling the trigger,  to give you some peace of mind. 

 

 

[NOC 1]

11 hours ago, PNWBass said:

No all the blanks stay the same. I ordered one up and if anything almost feels too stiff. Think it should work out perfectly 

Yes, I know the blanks stay the same. The point was that maybe you could find the blank that you wanted that maybe wasn't offered in the length that you wanted and have it made in that length.

[Dwight Hottle]

When in doubt call Kistler & talk to Trey. He will explain the differences & recommend a blank that suits Your needs. He helped me out when I called with specific needs & I was extremely satisfied with his recommendation. I use a He3-H-73XF/Helium 3 Heavy 7’ 3” X-Fast for frogs/toads in FL with heavy vegetation. 

[bwjay]

I have a 7' HXF Helium3 that is great for frogging, but it's just a little underpowered if you try to pull fish through a ton of weeds. I'm talking dragging 2lb+ bass through 2ft thick mats. Most rods are not up to that task, but we get crap like that in MN so I moved up to an Expride 7'3XH which is a much stiffer rod that does what I want, but it doesn't cast as well or as accurately as the Helium3 due to being faster. I didn't feel like I fully mastered casting accuracy with it this summer. The Helium3 on the other hand somehow always seems to go where I want. I love my Helium3s and I think the 7'HXF is a good rod for frogging. I just don't know if the blanks have changed since I bought mine early last year.