Kistler Rods

[Gera]

Hello everyone!

I happen "by chance" to browse Kistler's website and it looks like a good deal is goin on for Helium rods. I been thinking on grabbing a few of them but is just too early in the black Friday season to spend this year's budget on the first promo that I see. 

I understand that Kistler is frequently on sale. is this real or just something I made myself up? I just don't want to spend my budget 2 weeks before BF and finding out that megabass is giving discounts for the first time ever. 

 

Also, if you have any comments on these rods please leave your impression on them... I'm buying just to satisfy the monkey so please help because the force is strong with him. 

 

thanks

 

[Choporoz]

I have four Helium rods, all H3, I believe....last generation.  I don't know how new ones compare, but I absolutely love mine.  Cannot recommend them highly enough. 

[Gera]

15 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I have four Helium rods, all H3, I believe....last generation.  I don't know how new ones compare, but I absolutely love mine.  Cannot recommend them highly enough. 

 

Thanks!! I have never used one or even seen one in person.. but I read so many good comments that I had to take a look and with prices like these they really caught my attention. 

[GReb]

The NFC blank Kistlers we’re great. I don’t know who he sources his blanks from now but it’s not Northfork. They’ve doubled in price though. You used to get Heliums for $200-230 regularly. They always have some sale going on to bring the rods back to market where they should be. Nothing against Trey or his rods but I don’t care for the new market strategy personally. I have an older KLX squarebill rod that I wouldn’t trade for anything. 

[LonnieP]

I have a MH Helium 3. Best jig rod I’ve ever owned. I bought it on sale a couple years ago for around $220 I believe. I have no experience with the new blanks but they’ve raised the price on them too much for me.

[swhit140]

I have a 7' & 7'3" KLX casting rods, the 2 I have are the older NFC blanks. The 7'3" KLX weighs 4.2 oz on my digital scale. I've been pretty happy with mine, they balance a little ahead of the bait keeper compared to some other brands I've used.

I did have to warranty one of them and the replacement was only $19.95 to cover the warranty replacement rod, which is cheaper than many other rod companies. With that being said I ordered mine when they had a 40% discount so I would order when they have that going.

[txchaser]

TLDR in advance - do it

 

I don't recall seeing better deals than 40% at kistler, unless they are running a stack and save where if you buy at least 1k of rods (or something in that range) you can get 50%. 

 

I have 16ish rods now and I'd bet 3/4 of them are kistler, and of those most are the helium. A hybrid crankbait rod (carbon and fiberglass), and a z-bone that I got from a member here. Some are gen 3's and some of the new ones. I don't think I can really tell the difference between the new and old enough to have anything useful to say there.  At this point it's either take the custom leap to be able to pick a blank and get torzites, or just give Kistler dibs on the next rod, provided they have the length and action I'm looking for. 

 

If you aren't trying to fill a specific hole in your line up - the first two I'd buy are the LMH/F and the HMH/F. Why? they fish a bit lighter and a bit heavier than the stack of MH/F you probably already have and can get from lots of companies. There are a lot of presentations (IMO) that benefit from a little lighter or heavier rod. The LMH is nearly perfect for senkos or keitechs on a flashy swimmer. Sure they both work fine on a MH/F but it's not nearly as good of a fit. Same for the HMH, which is my newest addition. Got a bait that overloads a MH and casts ok but not great on a Heavy? HMH. Need another rod for a big heavy crank in a pinch? Yep. 1/2 oz chatterbait with a zako? Yep. Smaller frog like a pad crasher jr or a jackal kaera, but still throwing in slop? Yep. I punched with it in a pinch this summer with a 3/4 inch weight because my heavy rods were doing other things. Worked fine dragging up to a 6.5lb out of the weeds.

 

I'll probably get a bunch of "no one needs a 3.5 and a 4.5, two 4's will work just fine" and they are right. But at least for me with a wide range of techniques these two always go with me.

 

The owner is really responsive to emails if you have questions on what you need.

 

I also have a poison adrena, and a few tatula elites (AGS and non-ags), and a couple of Irods. They have specific cases where I couldn't quite get the action I was looking for, or where the helium is probably overkill. Two examples - Frog rod (overkill) and a-rig rod (Kistler didn't have the weight/action combo I was looking for). Irod does great on those. Poison adrena I bought I search of the white whale, the perfect chatterbait rod. It's great, and it is close to what I'm looking for, but not quite. Tip just a little too stiff. 

 

Related, Hook Up Tackle's gift card deal is 45% off, and the LegendX seems like an amazing rod, especially at around $220. But I have to beleive I'm going to spend the $200 card at Hook Up, and I don't really need any more rods. Doesn't mean I won't get one, but I don't need one.

 

[rangerjockey]

I have 2 Heliums and a Z bone. All of mine are the older NFC Blanks but they are great rods. 

If I'm not mistaken the new Helium and Z Bone use the same blank. 

I did own a new Z bone and I thought the new blank was really good also.

 

 

[DogBone_384]

I own 24 Kistlers, spinning and casting, starting with their Magnesium and finishing with a couple current Heliums.  They're great rods.  Fit/finish, weight, and sensitivity are top notch.  

 

I called Kistler to pay an invoice and Trey answered the phone.  He was very nice and spent a couple minutes talking to me, answering a couple questions I had about jerkbait rods.

 

I'm very happy doing business with such a company.

[Dwight Hottle]

I have been buying Kistler rods for about the last 5 years & like others have said I am very pleased with their quality, service & approachability. The previous generation on NFC blanks was a no brainer. You can't go wrong on trying them at the generous sale prices he frequently offers. 

[The Maestro]

2 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I have been buying Kistler rods for about the last 5 years & like others have said I am very pleased with their quality, service & approachability. The previous generation on NFC blanks was a no brainer. You can't go wrong on trying them at the generous sale prices he frequently offers. 

How much did the smallmouth in your avi weigh? Looks like an absolute freak of s fish.

[Dwight Hottle]

Just now, The Maestro said:

How much did the smallmouth in your avi weigh? Looks like an absolute freak of s fish.

 Joe she weighed 7.47 that's 7-7 3/4. Thanks

[The Maestro]

6 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 Joe she weighed 7.47 that's 7-7 3/4. Thanks

Wow that's a monster! I don't know if you heard but there was a 10+ caught on Erie a week or so ago. Likely going to be certified as a new record for Ontario.

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/11/record-smallmouth-bass-lake-erie-great-lakes

[Gera]

Thank you everyone for your replies, I guess like any other brand there are good and bad experiences. I really like to try different gear and if you saw my rod locker you will understand what I mean. I never used this brand but the weight and sensitivity (references from other people) has always called my attention. 

I really wanted the HMH 6'9" it looks like a great option to skip frogs under trees.. they are not in stock unfortunately. 

11 hours ago, txchaser said:

TLDR in advance - do it

 

I don't recall seeing better deals than 40% at kistler, unless they are running a stack and save where if you buy at least 1k of rods (or something in that range) you can get 50%. 

 

I have 16ish rods now and I'd bet 3/4 of them are kistler, and of those most are the helium. A hybrid crankbait rod (carbon and fiberglass), and a z-bone that I got from a member here. Some are gen 3's and some of the new ones. I don't think I can really tell the difference between the new and old enough to have anything useful to say there.  At this point it's either take the custom leap to be able to pick a blank and get torzites, or just give Kistler dibs on the next rod, provided they have the length and action I'm looking for. 

 

If you aren't trying to fill a specific hole in your line up - the first two I'd buy are the LMH/F and the HMH/F. Why? they fish a bit lighter and a bit heavier than the stack of MH/F you probably already have and can get from lots of companies. There are a lot of presentations (IMO) that benefit from a little lighter or heavier rod. The LMH is nearly perfect for senkos or keitechs on a flashy swimmer. Sure they both work fine on a MH/F but it's not nearly as good of a fit. Same for the HMH, which is my newest addition. Got a bait that overloads a MH and casts ok but not great on a Heavy? HMH. Need another rod for a big heavy crank in a pinch? Yep. 1/2 oz chatterbait with a zako? Yep. Smaller frog like a pad crasher jr or a jackal kaera, but still throwing in slop? Yep. I punched with it in a pinch this summer with a 3/4 inch weight because my heavy rods were doing other things. Worked fine dragging up to a 6.5lb out of the weeds.

 

I'll probably get a bunch of "no one needs a 3.5 and a 4.5, two 4's will work just fine" and they are right. But at least for me with a wide range of techniques these two always go with me.

 

The owner is really responsive to emails if you have questions on what you need.

 

I also have a poison adrena, and a few tatula elites (AGS and non-ags), and a couple of Irods. They have specific cases where I couldn't quite get the action I was looking for, or where the helium is probably overkill. Two examples - Frog rod (overkill) and a-rig rod (Kistler didn't have the weight/action combo I was looking for). Irod does great on those. Poison adrena I bought I search of the white whale, the perfect chatterbait rod. It's great, and it is close to what I'm looking for, but not quite. Tip just a little too stiff. 

 

Related, Hook Up Tackle's gift card deal is 45% off, and the LegendX seems like an amazing rod, especially at around $220. But I have to beleive I'm going to spend the $200 card at Hook Up, and I don't really need any more rods. Doesn't mean I won't get one, but I don't need one.

 

 

I saw that hook up tackle promotion too, it looks great on paper... but just the same I will end up with a $200 gift card and I'm sure I would end up putting another $200 for a megabass rod and end up speeding $600+ on rods that I "don't need" (want sure!) I mean buying the Kistler is just to satisfy the monkey and honor the great American tradition of Black Friday. 

 

16 hours ago, LonnieP said:

I have a MH Helium 3. Best jig rod I’ve ever owned. I bought it on sale a couple years ago for around $220 I believe. I have no experience with the new blanks but they’ve raised the price on them too much for me.

 

Man, the problem is that I have more MH rod that I can remember.... and that MB Barilist is brilliant (we are still on our honeymoon)

17 hours ago, GReb said:

The NFC blank Kistlers we’re great. I don’t know who he sources his blanks from now but it’s not Northfork. They’ve doubled in price though. You used to get Heliums for $200-230 regularly. They always have some sale going on to bring the rods back to market where they should be. Nothing against Trey or his rods but I don’t care for the new market strategy personally. I have an older KLX squarebill rod that I wouldn’t trade for anything. 

 

I feel the same way, I would not pay full price for these rods. but on these heavy discounts I think is wort checking why so many people swear by them.  

 

[dave]

I too have three H3's. (I may be why Chop has four if I remember correctly)

 

You have a PM.

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, dave said:

I too have three H3's. (I may be why Chop has four if I remember correctly)

 

You have a PM.

Yes.  Your recommendation on the LMH was perfect.  Easily my favorite rod and in my hands probably 50% of the time.  Caught more fish on it the last couple years than the other 20 rods combined.

[LonnieP]

I just noticed that they were 40% off. That’s an excellent deal. You won’t find another rod in that price range that’s as light and sensitive, assuming that the new blanks are as good as the NFC blanks.

[softwateronly]

11 hours ago, dave said:

I too have three H3's. (I may be why Chop has four if I remember correctly)

 

You have a PM.

 

10 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Yes.  Your recommendation on the LMH was perfect.  Easily my favorite rod and in my hands probably 50% of the time.  Caught more fish on it the last couple years than the other 20 rods combined.

 

3 hours ago, LonnieP said:

I just noticed that they were 40% off. That’s an excellent deal. You won’t find another rod in that price range that’s as light and sensitive, assuming that the new blanks are as good as the NFC blanks.

 

Wow!  40% off and I'm looking to try a new company for these baits...

 

 I'd like this rod to be good with, 1/8oz okishira head and a 2.8 keitech, 1/4-3/8oz ball head and 2.8-3.25 soft swimmer, 1/10-1/4oz ned, 1/2oz damiki vault, 1/8-3/16oz punisher jig w/ a beaver, 1/16-1/8 spro phat fly w/ gambler shakey shad, and rarely a vision jr 110+1.

 

Am I looking at a ML?  Thinking helium series.

 

scott

[NorthernBasser]

On 11/15/2022 at 11:51 AM, Choporoz said:

Yes.  Your recommendation on the LMH was perfect.  Easily my favorite rod and in my hands probably 50% of the time.  Caught more fish on it the last couple years than the other 20 rods combined.

Let's hear about it. You have the 6'9 or 7' version?

 

I have 1 Helium, 2 Feel N Reels and a KLX. All previous gen. Great rods. All very light. 

[DogBone_384]

On 11/15/2022 at 11:22 AM, Gera said:

Man, the problem is that I have more MH rod that I can remember.

I’m not quite in your boat, but I own enough.  I just bought a 7’ Helium Heavy-Medium-Heavy.  It’s exactly what it says… the tip is awesome for twitching frogs and has PLENTY of backbone if need be.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

So you guys got me tempted, and I was looking at the Helium at 3.5ozs, but then the next model lower the Chromium with really cool carbon wrapped handle weighs 3.5ozs as well.

 

Is the Helium just more sensitive or something, what makes it better since they weigh the same as the Chromium?

[NorthernBasser]

Somebody said the new version of the Helium and Z-Bone still uses NFC blanks. That's not true. Not saying the new blanks aren't great, but something to note. 

[DogBone_384]

2 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Somebody said the new version of the Helium and Z-Bone still uses NFC blanks.

 

Easiest way to find out is call/email Kistler.  Someone (maybe Trey) will get back to you.  They’re good like that.

[Choporoz]

38 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Let's hear about it. You have the 6'9 or 7' version?

 

I have 1 Helium, 2 Feel N Reels and a KLX. All previous gen. Great rods. All very light. 

6'8"

[LonnieP]

31 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Somebody said the new version of the Helium and Z-Bone still uses NFC blanks. That's not true. Not saying the new blanks aren't great, but something to note. 

He’s using Japanese Toray blanks now