Kistler KC9

[F14A-B]

Anybody have any experience with Trey’s new blank material, KC9. I’ve ordered a 7 foot medium light spinning rod (helium) opinions please…

 

I’ve owned or own NFC blanks Trey has used before. 

[GReb]

No experience but I don’t think Trey would settle on a subpar blank. One may be subjectively better or worse but I don’t doubt you’ll be satisfied. I personally wish the NFC blanks would have remained but their supply issue was a problem 

[txchaser]

I have both blanks, and while I like the extra-matte finish on the NFC, I otherwise can't tell the difference between the two.

[F14A-B]

Trey sent me this email this morning..

[F14A-B]

Well I finally received my 7’ Helium ML spinning rod, I ordered on the 4th of July and Trey was hit by the hurricane but still got my rod out very quickly. The man is unbelievable.💯The rod is exceptional in build quality I have other Kistler spinning rods made on NFC blanks and the guides on the new blank series are Fuji Fazlite’s. I have these guides on a couple Loomis IMX rods and 1 Shimano rod. I like them quite well. The action is spot on imo, ML/fast. Light, very light. I’ve ordered a Shimano Vanguard 2500 S to put on her. I’m very happy with this choice, sensitivity is quite good, not GLX good but close, again, imo. It’s a great value on what’s sure to be a fun rod to fish. 
As soon as I write Trey and get a answer on his American rod blank custom builds I’ll post my findings..

I’m curious as to where he’s sourcing these blanks from, I need another 7’ MH Texas rig workhorse 😂😂😂

 

(Baitmonkey ya know) 

Oh btw, UPS got my rod to Lexington, Ky then it obviously went on a long ride to Colorado then back thru Kansas, Tenn back to Kentucky..

 

nonetheless the rod and tube were not damaged , how about that! 

[BrianMDTX]

I really like my Helium TCJ for Texas rigs. Although lately it’s been used quite a bit more for jigs. 

[DogBone_384]

On 7/8/2024 at 11:24 PM, txchaser said:

I have both blanks, and while I like the extra-matte finish on the NFC, I otherwise can't tell the difference between the two.

Ditto

On 7/20/2024 at 1:23 PM, alonerankin2 said:

I need another 7’ MH Texas rig workhorse 😂😂😂

You might consider his H/MH. I have a 7’ Helium and it’s turned into my jig rod. It’s beefy but still maintains a nice tip.

[txchaser]

On 7/21/2024 at 8:36 PM, DogBone_384 said:

Ditto

You might consider his H/MH. I have a 7’ Helium and it’s turned into my jig rod. It’s beefy but still maintains a nice tip.

I'll second that H/MH. It fits in a really nice spot. 

[F14A-B]

On 7/21/2024 at 9:36 PM, DogBone_384 said:

Ditto

You might consider his H/MH. I have a 7’ Helium and it’s turned into my jig rod. It’s beefy but still maintains a nice tip.

 

9 hours ago, txchaser said:

I'll second that H/MH. It fits in a really nice spot. 

Thanks guys, I appreciate your opinions on this, I’m thinking of a custom build by Trey, but we’ll see. 
 

Are you both satisfied with the sensitivity? 

[txchaser]

On 7/23/2024 at 7:47 AM, alonerankin2 said:

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate your opinions on this, I’m thinking of a custom build by Trey, but we’ll see. 
 

Are you both satisfied with the sensitivity? 

I have one rod from a bunch of brands and like 10 from him so yeah. I just keep going back for more. 

Usually if I buy elsewhere it's because there's a very specific action I'm trying to get - in particular the mod-fast selection in the kc9 blank is limited.

 

Couple of other details that make me grumpy about rods - hook keeper or lack thereof and the forward cork or foam should be on the screw body not above it. Trey gets both of these right. Shimano poison adrena doesn't, SC's legend x doesn't either. 

If I had a tweak it would be to move the hook keeper to the side. 

[F14A-B]

On 7/25/2024 at 8:03 PM, txchaser said:

I have one rod from a bunch of brands and like 10 from him so yeah. I just keep going back for more. 

Usually if I buy elsewhere it's because there's a very specific action I'm trying to get - in particular the mod-fast selection in the kc9 blank is limited.

 

Couple of other details that make me grumpy about rods - hook keeper or lack thereof and the forward cork or foam should be on the screw body not above it. Trey gets both of these right. Shimano poison adrena doesn't, SC's legend x doesn't either. 

If I had a tweak it would be to move the hook keeper to the side. 

Appreciate your comments, I’ve been using the new rod already and I’m very happy with it. I’d say the ML/F rating is spot on. I’m glad I bought it from him rather than spring for a GLX or NRX. But I’m still going to see if Trey can build me something on a Point Blank or even a NFC blank.. this will be a replacement MH/F rod for me. He’s got that Nitranium rod line where he uses an American made rod blank but he doesn’t say who makes it. I respect Trey but if I’m going to pony up 450 on a rod he’s got to tell me 😂

[F14A-B]

Been using this rod and it’s worth every penny and then some. I was also using my GLX 892c and it’s impossible to tell the difference in feel. 
 

I wrote Trey an Email and he responded in 5 minutes. Looks like I’m gonna spring on a Nitranium next. 
 

There will likely be a new rod blank for the Nitranium possibly by January. 
 

I can strongly recommend this rod. 

[txchaser]

On 7/29/2024 at 7:21 PM, alonerankin2 said:

Been using this rod and it’s worth every penny and then some. I was also using my GLX 892c and it’s impossible to tell the difference in feel. 
 

I wrote Trey an Email and he responded in 5 minutes. Looks like I’m gonna spring on a Nitranium next. 
 

There will likely be a new rod blank for the Nitranium possibly by January. 
 

I can strongly recommend this rod. 

Nitranium is legit. IMO it fishes about 1/2 power lighter that I would have expected. Extraordinary cranking rod if you like graphite, which I do. Fishes a chatterbait pretty nice too, probably 3/8 with a zako would be perfect, but fine on 1/2 also. Wouldn't fish deep cranks on it - too short. If I recall correctly he'll take a rod back if you don't like it. 

 

Did he say he was changing blanks or adding weight/lengths? 

 

 

[F14A-B]

8 hours ago, txchaser said:

Nitranium is legit. IMO it fishes about 1/2 power lighter that I would have expected. Extraordinary cranking rod if you like graphite, which I do. Fishes a chatterbait pretty nice too, probably 3/8 with a zako would be perfect, but fine on 1/2 also. Wouldn't fish deep cranks on it - too short. If I recall correctly he'll take a rod back if you don't like it. 

 

Did he say he was changing blanks or adding weight/lengths? 

 

 

Yes I do like graphite as a cranking rod, I’m currently using IMX for that work. He stated, it would be an all new ultra premium rod blank. He hoped it would be ready for him to test by January. He also stated the Zbone is a stiffer, lighter material and is his best at this time..Trey is going to get at least one more order possibly two from me after my surprise on this ML Helium.