Kistler Helium Rods?

[wllye]

Anyone familiar with the Kistler Helium Graphite Rods?
I am considering buying a high end spinning rod and would like some input. Those using G Loomis-St Croix etc.
Thanks for the help
John Ramstead

[Dodge1]

You might want to conduct a search on this board for Helium, Croix, Loomis and/or post your question @ http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/rods_reels/index.html

Personally I own 3 St. Croix Legends and think their the most sensitive rods that I’ve ever laid my hand on but I don’t have any experience with a Helium rod and while Loomis makes a very nice rod, IMHO they don’t hold a candle to the Legends.

[fishnmagicin]

St. Croix is a great rod, but it would say that G. Loomis GLX series in a one piece 6' or 6'6" is the best. Not big on helium.

[Schmuel]

Kistler rods are extremely light, sensitive and appear well made.
I can't comment on durability or fishability since I don't own one.

That said - your question really can't be answered without a more thorough description of what you want to use the rod for. For example, a good rod for pitching light jigs would not necessarily be the best tool for the job when vertical jigging in 15'-30' of moving water.

People who say "Brand GLX" is the best w/o knowing the application are doing you a disservice.

I own GLX, IMX, Techna, Rogue, Quantum PT, Rapala HM-55, Avid, Legend, Daiwa Heartland-Z and more. I can speak from firsthand experience. I paid for all the rods with after-tax dollars.

So to get a more complete answer, explain what you'd like to use it for.

[wllye]

Deepest water I fish is 20'. Fish the Missouri river using mostly 1/8
to 1/4 ounce jigs. The lakes in Montana aren't very deep.

[Dodge1]

Just for grins I did an advanced search on this board for jigging rod and as I expected there is a vast array of opinions; particularly when it comes to the $$$ rods.

Here are two threads that imo are worth a read but you’ll never find a consensus on this subject because you’re dealing with personal opinions, which can’t be quantified.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=14&topic_id=21594&mode=full

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=14&topic_id=24332&mode=full

[fishnmagicin]

All I own is G. Loomis. I own 5 fly rods and 2 are glx. I own 15 or more walleye rods and 5 are glx and the rest are Imx, gl2 and walleye series. I love my walleye series rods and find them great, but they dont have the same feel and are heavyier than glx. Oh, did I mention most of my river rods are glx or Imx? Forgot to mention it. Don't knock these rods they are the best. HOWEVER, I would consider them to be aging technology. They have been around for about 10 years so the rest of the rod manufactures are catching up.

[Schmuel]

Magician - keep telling yourself that. 10 years ago, it probably was more true. That said, in the application Wllye mentioned, the
GLX-782 would probably be a good rod for 1/8 oz and up. That Kistler rod would likely work very well too (I plan to own one to find out for myself). Legend 66MF or MLF or Rogue SJ-663 would be great too. The Rogue is about $140 and will tell you everthing the IMX/GLX will tell you. Weight is very similar. I've got a like new GLX-782 I'd part with for well below list. It's collecting dust in my garage. I'd sell the IMX-781 too. It's also collecting dust.

How can somebody who only owns Loomis make a comparison anyway? Things change.

[fishnmagicin]

Because that wasn't the only thing I owned. I've owned St. Croix legend series, fenwick hmg av, hmx, I have never owned a kistler but have tried them. But my previous message merely said how can you beat a rod with such a proven track record. Maybe those rods that are collecting dust would work in different applications. I sometimes use spinning rods for bottom bouncing heavy bouncers. In the 4-8 oz. range. Because of the pendulum effect it has. It saves alot of strain. In fact my favorite rod is my 6' 2" walleye series rod in which I use for 1/4 oz to 1 oz jigs and then change spools to power pro and then use 3-5 oz bottom bouncers. It works great.

[Mattman]

People who have Kistler's don't seem to complain about them. I haven't really seen anyone say they are better than St. Croix or Loomis. But they have a following and many happy customers.

However, I've done custom Loomis and St. Croix's for people who also own Kistler's. And the Kistler's collect more dust than the rods I built for them do.




Matt Davis

Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Otterods - High performance hand crafted fishing rods.

[Schmuel]

It still comes back to best tool for the job. The Kistler Helium seems like a pretty special rod - being so light and sensitive.
Even the M 8-14lb is a bit on the stiff side for a lot of walleye applications IMHO.