Kistler Rods

[JN94]

Looking at buying a Kistler Helium, specifically the 6'9" light medium heavy. They have it rated for 3/16-5/8 oz lures, which is pretty much perfect for what I'm looking for (throwing 3/8-1/2 oz lures total weight for smallmouth creek fishing). I've never owned a Kistler or held one so I've got a few questions. Are their action ratings pretty accurate in your experience? I've found that I like a slightly thinner grip than what some manufacturers offer (Dobyns for example, does their grips just a hair too thick for my liking. I really like Shimano's grips that are just a little thinner). Can anyone comment on Kistler's grip size? Also any general thoughts, comments about your experience with Kistler rods I'd love to know. They seem to get awesome reviews from other posts I've searched. Most of my rods currently are Dobyns and Shimanos, but also have experience with Falcon and a few St Croixs if that helps from a comparison perspective. And if anyone owns this specific rod, would love to hear your thoughts on it

 

 

Edit: Just noticed, these rods are on sale for $257 right now on Kistler's website. They retail for $400. I've heard Kistler's are on sale constantly. Is this as good of a deal as I can find? Or are there better ones out there?

[dj1975232]

Received my first one last week.  Its the 7'3" HMH XF model rated 1/4 - 1 oz.  In testing it seems true to rating.  The cork is comparable thickness to my Dobyns rods.  It is very light and extremely sensitive.  The action seems true to advertising.  Mine is an XF and the tip is noticeably faster than my Dobyns XF.  For $257 which is the same sale I purchased mine in, it feels like a no brainer. 

[waymont]

I don't like the taper on the LMH

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, JNorman said:

Looking at buying a Kistler Helium, specifically the 6'9" light medium heavy. They have it rated for 3/16-5/8 oz lures, which is pretty much perfect for what I'm looking for (throwing 3/8-1/2 oz lures total weight for smallmouth creek fishing). I've never owned a Kistler or held one so I've got a few questions. Are their action ratings pretty accurate in your experience? I've found that I like a slightly thinner grip than what some manufacturers offer (Dobyns for example, does their grips just a hair too thick for my liking. I really like Shimano's grips that are just a little thinner). Can anyone comment on Kistler's grip size? Also any general thoughts, comments about your experience with Kistler rods I'd love to know. They seem to get awesome reviews from other posts one searched. Most of my rods currently are Dobyns and Shimanos, but also have experience with Falcon and a few St Croixs if that helps from a comparison perspective. And if anyone owns this specific rod, would love to hear your thoughts on it

 

 

Edit: Just noticed, these rods are on sale for $257 right now on Kistler's website. They retail for $400. I've heard Kistler's are on sale constantly. Is this as good of a deal as I can find? Or are there better ones out there?

 

I can't help on the kistler, but I know falcons.  Do you know the Finesse jig model?  Its just what you're looking for.  6'10", medium to medium heavy power (falcon lists MH, but I'd call it medium), fast action.  Different ratings in different lineups, but my expert is rated at 1/4-3/4 and I'd call it a 3/16-5/8 which is what the Cara is rated at.  With a light reel mine comes in a shade over 8 oz total.

[JN94]

25 minutes ago, waymont said:

I don't like the taper on the LMH

What do you not like about it specifically? Is it too moderate?

[Choporoz]

Kistler Helium 3 LMH is far and away my favorite rod.  I use it for t-rigs with 1/16-1/4 oz weights.  Never once thought about the grips, so I guess that means they are perfect for me.   For the 3/8-1/2 that you mention, I'd consider Helium MHF, especially if that weight is before adding plastic.  

[swhit140]

I have a couple of the KLX rods 7ft MH/7'3 MH that I purchased in 2020 at the end when they were still using Northfork Composite blanks. I can tell you that I fish these 2 rods the most in my lineup and have not had any problems with them. The fit/finish on their rods are great and assembled in Texas. I know they are using different blanks now since I've owned mine and power ratings are a little different. 

[JN94]

2 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Kistler Helium 3 LMH is far and away my favorite rod.  I use it for t-rigs with 1/16-1/4 oz weights.  Never once thought about the grips, so I guess that means they are perfect for me.   For the 3/8-1/2 that you mention, I'd consider Helium MHF, especially if that weight is before adding plastic.  

Talking 3/8-1/2 total, so I think the LMH is more up my alley. Throwing squarebills, 1/4oz jigs + plastic, topwaters, etc. All top out around 1/2oz or so

26 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I can't help on the kistler, but I know falcons.  Do you know the Finesse jig model?  Its just what you're looking for.  6'10", medium to medium heavy power (falcon lists MH, but I'd call it medium), fast action.  Different ratings in different lineups, but my expert is rated at 1/4-3/4 and I'd call it a 3/16-5/8 which is what the Cara is rated at.  With a light reel mine comes in a shade over 8 oz total.

I considered the FJ actually not too long ago. I think you and I had talked about it previously actually. I ended up buying a 6'10" Poison Adrena that I'm still trying to figure out if I like it or not. It's super light and comfortable to fish but I do prefer cork handles to the carbon monocoque. I also feel like the Adrena is maybe just a hair heavier than what I'm looking for. Doesn't feel like it casts ~3/8-7/16 quite as well as I'd like. I didn't go with the FJ bc I was concerned it was too moderate of an action. I own a Cara Dragger 1 and have had some issues sticking fish and it's rated as a fast compared to FJ's mod fast. Really strange, can't figure that one out. I have a Dobyns Sierra which is a similar taper (maybe even a hair slower) and have stuck tons of fish on it with no issue. Could have just been a bad stretch of luck on the Dragger. I need to do some more experimenting with it but had the majority of my fish pop off when I last took it out. Didn't have that issue with my faster tapering Zodias/Exprides. Likely user error 

[casts_by_fly]

I think I remember that thread now that you mention it.  I would still recommend the rod for this new task (and if you like it, it might replace the poison adrena).  I'm afraid I can't help on the Cara dragger.  I have the bucoo SR dragger 1 and I used it for moving baits to good success.  I agree that one is maybe on the slower side of fast but its more than a moderate fast.  You're probably right that its more of your style vs what the rod needs.  For big chatterbaits and spinnerbaits its a great rod.  Its not the rod I'd pick up for jigs and worms.  

[JN94]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

I think I remember that thread now that you mention it.  I would still recommend the rod for this new task (and if you like it, it might replace the poison adrena).  I'm afraid I can't help on the Cara dragger.  I have the bucoo SR dragger 1 and I used it for moving baits to good success.  I agree that one is maybe on the slower side of fast but its more than a moderate fast.  You're probably right that its more of your style vs what the rod needs.  For big chatterbaits and spinnerbaits its a great rod.  Its not the rod I'd pick up for jigs and worms.  

I appreciate your insight. I agree with you 100% on the Dragger taper. Looking at it originally I didn't think it would have any issues fishing jigs, t-rigs, etc. but maybe it is just a hair slow for those applications. I was actually throwing 5" paddletails on an exposed hook jighead with it last time I was out, which makes the losing fishing thing that much more confusing. I hooked 4 fish, two got off within a few seconds of hookset, one made it in no issue, and one popped off as I was pulling him out of the water. Drag set properly, keeping tension on line, not horsing fish etc. I will continue to play with it and try some different techniques. I love the feel of the rod so will definitely do what I can to keep it in the lineup

[casts_by_fly]

I would think you're be fine with exposed hook paddletails on that rod.  That's basically a chatterbait hook.  I assume you had sharp hooks.  braid?  I've lost a couple fish this year on braid that I was surprised by, one a big largemouth that would have topped 4 for sure.  After looking at a few more fish caught on that same rod and braid I could see the issue.  No stretch in the braid plus a MF/F taper and plenty of power meant I was tearing big holes with the hook.  Combine that with a more front of mouth hook position (again, no stretch in the setup for them to really inhale it) and a couple popped.  My dragger was set up with 17 mono which I think is a good choice for moving baits on that rod.

[dave]

I have one lying do aaaaaabsolutely nothing...  NFC blank...

[JN94]

18 minutes ago, dave said:

I have one lying do aaaaaabsolutely nothing...  NFC blank...

The model I'm referencing?

[JN94]

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I would think you're be fine with exposed hook paddletails on that rod.  That's basically a chatterbait hook.  I assume you had sharp hooks.  braid?  I've lost a couple fish this year on braid that I was surprised by, one a big largemouth that would have topped 4 for sure.  After looking at a few more fish caught on that same rod and braid I could see the issue.  No stretch in the braid plus a MF/F taper and plenty of power meant I was tearing big holes with the hook.  Combine that with a more front of mouth hook position (again, no stretch in the setup for them to really inhale it) and a couple popped.  My dragger was set up with 17 mono which I think is a good choice for moving baits on that rod.

Yes I think so too. Hooks were sharp. I was fishing braid but I have fished braid on all my reels for years and have caught tons of fish on this setup. I think honestly it was just a bad go of luck. Something strange with the bites, fish didn't have it fully in their mouth, etc. bc it doesn't make sense why I lost those fish. I too was thinking maybe I was popping too big of a hole but it was a tight pierce on the one I landed and the rest of the fish I caught on other rods. Going to continue using it and will figure out what the deal is 

[optimator]

I’ve got a NFC blank 7’3” Helium LMH. It’s one of my favorites. I also recently got a Helium 7’6” heavy. I haven’t used it yet..

[Catt]

22 hours ago, JNorman said:

. Are their action ratings pretty accurate in your experience?

 

No rod manufacturer is!

 

I can tell you this much about Kistler, once you use one, you will throw rocks at everything else!

[BrianMDTX]

I love the grip on my TCJ-70MH (MH/F). Easily the most sensitive rod in my arsenal. I hope to have another Helium soon. 

[Dwight Hottle]

@JNorman I have the Kistler He3-SpLMH-70F that's the 7' Light Medium Heavy spinning rod. Same action & power as the rod your asking about. I bought it to use for jerk baits with mono & braid specifically for smallies. Mine is rated 3/16 up to 7/8 ounces. It would be perfect for your intended use and no it's not too moderate. It has a lighter tip than a regular MH. Its actually 1/2 power less than the MH. The light tip moves quickly into the backbone but still has enough give to keep treble hook baits pinned with a moderate to medium drag setting. It will handle baits up to & including 1oz. I have caught smallies up to 6lbs with it so no worries if you hook into a big fish. The handle is comparable with Loomis & St Croix in size maybe slightly smaller. 

[JN94]

9 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

@JNorman I have the Kistler He3-SpLMH-70F that's the 7' Light Medium Heavy spinning rod. Same action & power as the rod your asking about. I bought it to use for jerk baits with mono & braid specifically for smallies. Mine is rated 3/16 up to 7/8 ounces. It would be perfect for your intended use and no it's not too moderate. It has a lighter tip than a regular MH. Its actually 1/2 power less than the MH. The light tip moves quickly into the backbone but still has enough give to keep treble hook baits pinned with a moderate to medium drag setting. It will handle baits up to & including 1oz. I have caught smallies up to 6lbs with it so no worries if you hook into a big fish. The handle is comparable with Loomis & St Croix in size maybe slightly smaller. 

Awesome, okay that's great to know. I appreciate the insight! I ended up ordering this rod the other day so will find out for myself soon enough. I'm excited to get my hands on it