Kistler Zbone Spinning Rods - Anyone with hands on experience??

[shimanoangler]

I am looking for feedback from fisherman who have hands on experience with Kistler Zbone Spinning Rods.  I recently picked up a 7' Medium Power (2), and it is incredibly light, but feels very firm for a fast action stick.  I was hoping to drop shot with it, as a 2 power seems like it would be a perfect stick, and I am headed out this weekend to put it through its paces, but it feels REALLY firm for a fast 2 power stick.  Just curious if others have fished the Zbone Xray blank and have feedback on its stated action and power.  I was looking at picking another one, a 7'3" Light Medium Heavy, but before we get too far down the road with picking up a second one, I am seeking feedback from others.  Let me know what you think/know about the Zbone spinning rod lineup.      

[Deeare]

That rod is going to excel for light baits used for bottom contact:   Ned rigs, shaky head, other trig plasticS and smaller swimbaits to name a few.    
 

I own a bunch of kistlers but for drop shot I use a rod that has a much softer tip.  

[GTN-NY]

Sounds like a rod to add to my choices. 
any chance you have a link to it? I searched TW but no Kistler Zbone Spinning rods show up

[shimanoangler]

1 minute ago, GTN said:

Sounds like a rod to add to my choices. 
any chance you have a link to it? I searched TW but no Kistler Zbone Spinning rods show up

They don't carry Kistler Zbones.   PM and I'll give you a deal on the 7' Medium 2 power I have.  It's literally brand new for much less than Kistlers $550 price tag.  

[GTN-NY]

1 hour ago, shimanoangler said:

They don't carry Kistler Zbones.   PM and I'll give you a deal on the 7' Medium 2 power I have.  It's literally brand new for much less than Kistlers $550 price tag.  

Even your best best best deal off for 550 price tag is no where’s near my budget. My current income due to the shut down is more in the hundred dollar range. But thank you for the offer I appreciate it

[shimanoangler]

Truly hope that life gets back to normal for you with respect to the virus because shutdowns are not sustainable if we want to avoid a great depression.  Best of luck to you and yours.   

[GTN-NY]

1 hour ago, shimanoangler said:

Truly hope that life gets back to normal for you with respect to the virus because shutdowns are not sustainable if we want to avoid a great depression.  Best of luck to you and yours.   

Thanks!

we’ll be ok through all this. I just can’t spend any more on things like this as I want to. 

[Deeare]

3 hours ago, GTN said:

Sounds like a rod to add to my choices. 
any chance you have a link to it? I searched TW but no Kistler Zbone Spinning rods show up

Go to the kistler website.   They are having a big sale.  If you need a code let me know

 

btw.  Zbones are $500.   

[NOC 1]

21 hours ago, Deeare said:

Go to the kistler website.   They are having a big sale.  If you need a code let me know

 

btw.  Zbones are $500.   

Thanks for the heads up. I just bought a 6'8" Z-bone and a hoodie for $390. A pretty good deal if the rod is any good.

It is a no frills plain Jane rod compared to my Megabass stuff, but I am willing to give it a shot as it is 100% American made.

[shimanoangler]

On 10/17/2020 at 4:52 PM, Deeare said:

Go to the kistler website.   They are having a big sale.  If you need a code let me know

 

btw.  Zbones are $500.   

Kistler Zbones are $550, see attached right off the Kistler website.  They are indeed having a big sale, but to get 30% off you have to spend $600.   To get 25%, you have to spend $300, which is about the entry level amount to get a good rod from the Kistler site.  

 

https://kistlerrods.com/products/z-bone-fishing-rod?variant=29630928715824

14 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

Thanks for the heads up. I just bought a 6'8" Z-bone and a hoodie for $390. A pretty good deal if the rod is any good.

It is a no frills plain Jane rod compared to my Megabass stuff, but I am willing to give it a shot as it is 100% American made.

So I have taken my Zbone 7'3" Light Medium Heavy Power Moderate Action (which is actually like an Extra Fast tip) and my 7' Medium Fast Action spinning rods out on the water for a couple of trips now and I my opinion is this, they are incredibly light. Okay with respect to balance (the 7'3" requires a heavy reel to balance, 8.0 oz & up).  Both blanks are incredibly stiff for their action rating, especially the 7'3", which says moderate fast and it literally doesn't bend past the 4th guide.  They seem to be well made and the craftmanship is really pretty solid.  That said, I am not sure what one would fish a spinning rod for, application wise, with such super stiff actions.  Maybe light jigs, shaky head and other bottom contact baits.  Almost feel that it would be WAY too stiff for a senko / neko rig, as it would end up pulling the hook from a fishes mouth.  Again, I think they are well built, extremely sharp looking sticks, great customer service from Trey and the crew.  But the blanks just don't match up well with my spinning rod fishing style/techniques.   Just my two cents after a few days on the water.  

[Eynt]

I have a 7m zbone spinning and agree its a little on the stiff side compared to my Shimano expride in the same length and power.  But what I noticed is that my expride's handle is shorter and the reel sits about 1.5" lower than the zbone.  So the expride actually fishes longer by 1.5"  

 

Anyways, i have a 3000 ballistic on the zbone and it fishes very well.  Mostly use it for senkos and swimbaits and have boated some of my biggest fish this year.  Had no problems ripping bait from the fish.   I was thinking of getting a med-light to try out but after your review, i'll probably pass.  

 

 

[shimanoangler]

20 hours ago, Eynt said:

I have a 7m zbone spinning and agree its a little on the stiff side compared to my Shimano expride in the same length and power.  But what I noticed is that my expride's handle is shorter and the reel sits about 1.5" lower than the zbone.  So the expride actually fishes longer by 1.5"  

 

Anyways, i have a 3000 ballistic on the zbone and it fishes very well.  Mostly use it for senkos and swimbaits and have boated some of my biggest fish this year.  Had no problems ripping bait from the fish.   I was thinking of getting a med-light to try out but after your review, i'll probably pass.  

 

 

Certainly not trying to dissuade you from another one.  Are you able to throw weightless senkos well on your 7' M Zbone?  If I thought it would be a good senko, neko rod, I would keep mine, as it is a well made, light stick.   I can cast weightless senkos a mile on my 7' M Expride.   

[Eynt]

I didn't notice a big difference distance wish.  Personally, I think it works great for senkos.  Here in NE, there are a lot of toothy critters that steal a pack of wacky hooks a day, so I Texas rig my senkos and the stiffer action helps in hooksets.

 

About a month ago, my st croix elite ML spinning setup flew off my boat because I didn't strap it in ... $700 gone.  So i'm in market for another ML setup.  I was considering getting another zbone but I do like my ML with a little softer tip.  

 

 

[shimanoangler]

On 10/27/2020 at 10:31 PM, Eynt said:

I didn't notice a big difference distance wish.  Personally, I think it works great for senkos.  Here in NE, there are a lot of toothy critters that steal a pack of wacky hooks a day, so I Texas rig my senkos and the stiffer action helps in hooksets.

 

About a month ago, my st croix elite ML spinning setup flew off my boat because I didn't strap it in ... $700 gone.  So i'm in market for another ML setup.  I was considering getting another zbone but I do like my ML with a little softer tip.  

 

 

If you want another Zbone, I have mine listed for a REALLY good price.  PM me for pictures and details if you are interested.