Let's talk Kistler rods... 2024

burleytog reply :

Tell me your likes, your dislikes. Worth the $$? If you have them, would you buy more? If not, why?

Wayne P. reply :

I have three, won all of them in bass tournaments.

mgCBCGGM70- crankbait rod, works well, but I wouldn't replace it, too large diameter blank for my taste

KCBM66- crankbait, works well and I would replace it if it breaks, my favorite small crankbait rod

KSS610-Senko Special- too tip heavy for my taste, rarely use it and wouldn't buy one

Chris at Tech reply :

I only have a Mg69APC paired with an STX. It works very well as my spinnerbait and buzzbait rod. Also works well to throw a texas rig in a pinch.

Raul reply :

Quote
Tell me your likes, your dislikes. Worth the $$? If you have them, would you buy more? If not, why?

-I liked the Mag TS crankbait blank, between the Mag TS All Purpose and an IMX I prefer the IMX.

-Hated the Batson reel seats on both reason why I sold them,

-Never felt comfortable with the humpy handle on both, it may work for many people but don 't work for me, I prefer straight handles.

-Worth the $$ ? probably,

-Nope I would not buy anymore

The_Natural reply :

Here are the Kistler Crankbait Composites I owned...

I wasn't fond of the components; i.e. the Batson reel seat and guides. It bugged me that Kistler would charge $150 for a rod and try to pinch pennies on components. I didn't like the action of the blank either, but that is just a personal preference thing.

flippin4it. reply :

I own 3 at the time and love them all. I have the KSBS69 Spinner bait special, no compliants with this one at all. I use it for Spinner baits, buzz baits and sometimes a Senko. I also own 2 LTA's. First one is the He70MC, she's a little soft in the tip. But it does real well for wacky, shakey, light cranks and when it comes to topwater it really shines. The second is the best all round rod that I own, the HE69MHC. If you need a rod that will do it all, this is the rod for you. I'm looking to get either the HE70MHC or the KSS610 next. We'll see when get there.

DTuck9 reply :

I own 7 of them. I have 2 graphite plus's, 2 magnesium's, and 3 LTA's. They are the absolute best rods I have used. I will not own anything else.

Pigsticker reply :

I bought a kistler magnesium spinning rod 6'9'' ML fast action rod back in '06, good rod for wacky rigs, shakey heads, and weightless zoom finesse worms and I fell in love with having no cork on the upper portion of the rod but with all the other rods companies I do not think they are worth it. 150 for a carrot stick or 160 for an airrus compared to my 190 dollar rods makes me sick when I think about it >

never again, carrot stick or airrus

fathom reply :

have fished with a friend's ltx 7' and the 6'9".

it was like fishing with a 7' and 6'9" pistol grip...light but, way outta kilter on balance...imo, cheaply made and not very sensitive.

with all due respect to the kistler fans, i wouldn't have paid $129.00 for either...much less the $329.00 they were asking for them.

zacksdad reply :

I have three Kistler Mag TS rods. I then picked up a Shimano Cumura and now I rarley use the Kistlers . IMO the Cumura is the most sensitive rod I have ever used. if you are using the rod for any bottom bouncing technique I.E. jigs or tex rig the Shimano is well worth the extra forty bucks . The over the counter warranty is pretty cool also.

Jimzee reply :

Love the new styles with upgraded Fuji components. Don't have a problem paying the money for the Heliums LTA's and Helium LTX's. No reel seat issues, no cheap components and sensitivity at it's finest. Really like my Magnesium crankbait rod too.

Grey Wolf reply :

I have two LTA'S , very light but would not buy again unless I get a deal. There are better rods out there for the money. JMHO

Jare reply :

Hello, I'm from Spain and here is very difficult to find a Kistler rod in the shops, but I want to buy one (7' MH xfast). I would like very much to has it in my hands before purchase it but it's not possible.

Could you tell me how much powerfull is the rod comparing it with a Gloomis Imx, with St Croix LE or Daiko Scylas (all of them MH), please?

Sorry if there are mistakes in the text, I'm doing my best :

roadwarrior reply :

Welcome aboard!

We have many Kistler fans.

I'm sure you will have several replies shortly.

8-)

fishbear reply :

I have the Kistler magnesium HCFS (Heavy Cover Fish Snatcher). This rod is awesome. It is a Heavy with a fast tip. It is light, but with lots of backbone. It has the no foregrip, splitgrip design with exposed blank thru the reel seat.

It is by far one of the most sensitive rods I have ever used. I put a 3/8 oz. jig with trailer on it. Cast it out, and just twitch the jig back to me. I can feel every breath a fish takes within 5 ft. of the jig. It also works as a Crig rod, and I am even considering it for a small to med. swimbait rod... All in a 6'9" package. Excellent rod, can not say a bad thing about Kistler so far.

Deputy Dave reply :

I bought my first Kistler at the beginning of this season just to try one out. That one is a 7ft Heavy action Magnesium series. Since then I've added two 7.5 LTA's and a few more from the Magnesium series. My latest purchase of yet another Kistler was just yesterday...I needed a great rod to put my new Curado 200E7 on.

Sold my last Loomis IMX to my brother last night. So now I've completely changed my arsenal over from Loomis and St Croix to Kistlers....Needless to say, I kinda like them!!!

For the money ($150-$180) the Magnesium Series is hard to beat. I've not yet taken the big plunge and purchased a LTX and don't know that I ever will but am really enjoying all the one's that I have.

Munkin reply :

Quote
KSS610-Senko Special- too tip heavy for my taste, rarely use it and wouldn't buy one

This is my favorite rod and could use another if you want to trade? I have a ton of lures including LC, Daiwa, etc. I could part with.

Allen

topwaterbob reply :

I have a LTA 7ft mh. I love it. My favorite out of all the others I own. St Croix, Loomis, Powell Max, Ouan. Pro. When I first started bass fishing I read all I could about rods. Was down to Kistler and Loomis. My local fishing shop was selling their Kistler's at 25%off so I got the LTA. Now that I have a dozen different rods I must say that the Kistler is the most sensative and the best casting. I also have have the Mag. frog rod which I also like. The only rod I think I need is a deep cranking rod. I haven't decided yet what brand to get.

Marc711 reply :

Just want to throw my .02 in on the comment about Batson components.

I have built a lot of rods, and Batson components, along with Pac Bay and American Tackle, rank right there with Fuji. This was not so a few years ago, but these companies have made great strides. Don't avoid a rod with components from these other companies, they are good stuff and offer some new designs that Fuji doesn't.

Gone_Phishin reply :

Since we're talking Kistlers I have a question about the medium powered LTA's: the M's are rated down to 1/8oz, how accurate is this? Do the medium powered LTA's load well with an 1/8oz bait?

I ask because I have been searching for an all-purpose, finesse moving-bait stick; something for cranks, jerks, small spinnerbaits, and little topwaters. I have been thinking about teaming the He63MC, or the He66MC, with a Conquest 51.

Jimzee reply :

Quote
Since we're talking Kistlers I have a question about the medium powered LTA's: the M's are rated down to 1/8oz, how accurate is this? Do the medium powered LTA's load well with an 1/8oz bait?

It is accurate. They will load up some with 1/8 oz. especially the seven footer. If you get one I would suggest the 7' model. I think you would be happier unless you don't like longer rods. The 7' is so much fun to fish small cranks, topwaters, splitshot and dropshot rigged worms on.

Sam reply :

Burley,

I have the Kistler 7' 6" Helium TLA heavy rod and it is a darling.

I use it for pitching and flipping and it is a fantastic rod.

Lightweight; good, strong backbone; beautiful line guides; a good distance from the reel to the first eye to help with casting; and it is such a pleasure to use that I have to remind myself not to use it for heavy or deep cranking or spinnerbaits or topwaters.

What do I not like about it? It is 7' 6" and I can't put it in the locker storage area on my boat so I am extremely careful not to step on it when on the boat.

Otherwise, it is a beautiful rod and worth the money.

Manigotapee reply :

I am a HUGE Kistler fan. I own at least one of every make, and they each have a special spot in my arsenal. I really like the LTX's and the Mg series the best. I haven't found a better "big" crankbait rod than the 7'0" composite Mg series crankbait rod. Their new line of rods for 2009 should really turn some heads. Besides the rods, everyone I have spoke with in that company is flat out a good, genuine person.

Jare reply :

After reading your opinions I'll definitly purchase one Kistler Helium Lta casting rod.

I only need to know if the power is heavier that they are rating. I believe my two last rods I had bought are much more powerfull than they respective ratings (Daiko Scylas & St Croix LE), and I don't want to do the same mistake :'(

fishbear reply :

I feel the power rating is pretty close to what they say it is. Also, if they say it has a fast or X-fast tip, believe it. You are going to step into a new world once you fish with it.

Jare reply :

OK, thank you!!

Gone_Phishin reply :

Quote

Quote
Since we're talking Kistlers I have a question about the medium powered LTA's: the M's are rated down to 1/8oz, how accurate is this? Do the medium powered LTA's load well with an 1/8oz bait?

It is accurate. They will load up some with 1/8 oz. especially the seven footer. If you get one I would suggest the 7' model. I think you would be happier unless you don't like longer rods. The 7' is so much fun to fish small cranks, topwaters, splitshot and dropshot rigged worms on.

Thanks Jimzee, just what I was looking for. I have put a lot of thought into the 7 footer. I do a ton of casting off of our dock, and the extra length is appealing. I just have a feeling I am going to really like the LTA blank for tip-down presentations, hence the shorter model and a tuff decision I have to make.

Laurentino reply :

I can comment on the He66MC for use with small baits. I have one paired with a Daiwa Pixy which I frequent use with small spinner baits and small topwater baits in the 1/8 to 3/8 range. The rod loads fine and is excellent for this application. I prefer the 6 1/2 foot rod over the longer rods for tip-down manipulating a topwater bait. This is a nice combo!

Micro reply :

I never owned one, but the dealers I know hate them. Because they are pressured by Kistler to administer their warranty. If a rod fails, Kistler pressures the dealer to replace it with a rod from their stock. The complaint arises because the dealer has to pay to ship it back to Kistler then Kistler takes their sweet time replacing the rods and reimbursing the dealer. Not that any of that makes much difference to the consumer.

Redlinerobert reply :

I have a 7'6" heavy I use for frogs. Love that rod. I just wish it was a little lighter.

dave reply :

I have bought and sold many Kistler rods well before they gained popularity. I have owned (and still own some) Graphite Specials. All of my Graphite Specials were made in Texas. I owned some back when the blanks were IM6 and burgundy and were called California Specials. (and didn't have the no fore grip style) I currently have kept a Buzz and Pop and a Crankbait Special. None of the high ends. I was a fan when Trey was making a name for himself. When manufacturing went to China (another thread altogether) he lost me. Oddly enough, almost all of my current rods are Castaways.

(oddly meaning for all who know the Kistler story)

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Let's talk Kistler rods... 2024

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