Tally Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 Could someone tell me more about this rod? I understand they make their own blank and is hush, hush about how or what they use to make them. I have used G Loomis for years, but from previous post it looks like they have gone down hill or at least falling behind other manufactuers. I would also like to know what is the best blank on the market if I were to build a rod for spinnerbaits or crankbaits. thanks, Tally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 Kistler doesn't make their own blanks. They may have their blanks made just for them. And I would fully expect that they do just that. But, they are not a rod blank manufacturer. I'm sure they protect their exact graphite blends and tapers just like St. Croix or Loomis would. I'm not saying here that Kistler makes a bad rod or anything like that. But they're not setting the rod industry on their ear either. They are a good small manufacturer. I've built custom St. Croix's and Loomis' for guys who have Kistler Heliums. And my custom's get fished while the Kistler's get used for back ups or sent to Ebay. I think that St. Croix's new Moderate action rods are great for cranks and spinnerbaits. They come in both SCII and SCIII graphite. 6'6" and 7' models in 3 or maybe 4 different powers. Excellent choice. The Seeker BS706S is considered THE blank for spinnerbaits right now. It's made from S-glass which is a pretty sensitive, fairly light weight, fiberglass blend. This blank is on my "must try" list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Posted May 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 Thanks Matt- Sounds like G Loomis is still one of the best, contrary to what another post said. Maybe the blanks are still good but the quality of assembling has gone down hill. GL2, GL3, IMX and GLX???? You have a nice looking site. Very interesting handle designs!!!!! I have had a few guys tell me I should get into making rods, that is why all the Q's. It would not be something I would do right away but need to know what I would be getting into. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted May 24, 2004 Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kistlero Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Tally, I would like to offer you an insider?s answer on our Helium rods. Basically, we have our Helium blanks built by another company. This company helped us design blanks that would push the envelope a bit in technology. After a year and a half, over 10,000 Helium rods have been sold and used by serious anglers all over the world. It does seem that Kistler rods has got the attention of the Major rod manufacturers because of our success with innovative features and superior blank designs. Don't take my word for it though, do a search on several search engines and forum boards. It also looks like Matt wishes he could get his hands on a few Helium blanks. The rods being sold on Ebay are our seconds that we reject because of high standards, unlike some of our competitors. The other guys are selling their old models to make room for our new models. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me personally. Trey Kistler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 I've built custom St. Croix's and Loomis' for guys who have Kistler Heliums. And my custom's get fished while the Kistler's get used for back ups or sent to Ebay Matt, not an attack on you, but I could only see this happening because you are building a rod to that customers exact specs. If I had every rod built exactly my way, of course I would have no use for any others. I know too many people who are long time Loomis and St. Croix users that have converted to Kistler to say that any of them make a better rod. I am in no way affiliated with Kistler, but I hope that anyone considering buying a Kistler will not let certain posts or comments keep them from buying one. These are the best rods I have ever used! I just lost a Kistler dropshot rod in the water at a Clear Lake tourney this weekend. I would not consider replacing it with anything else! Ever! Trey, keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Woodsac - You are exactly right about the fact that I'm building a rod for an individual. My point was that Kistler is not setting the rod building industry on fire with technology. And that they don't have some unknown blank technology because they do it themselves. It isn't like when Gary Loomis came out with his revolutionary graphites. And to dispel the myth that Kistler makes their own blanks. You hear that about every small manufacturer or house brand rod these days. Yes, Kistler?s are good rods and I've never heard anyone complain. Actually, for a manufactured rod, a darn good rod and I don't feel they take a back seat to other manufactured rods. But if Tally wants to build a rod, it isn't going to be on a Kistler blank because they aren't available. And while they are a good rod, there are many other custom options that can get you a much better one. Trey - You mistook my statements. I have no desire to get my hands on one of your blanks. There are plenty of high end rod blanks out on the marketplace. I'll take a Shikari SHXi/SHX or a St. Croix Legend Elite or a Lamiglas Ti. Much better blanks, in my opinion. Helium?s are nice middle of the road blanks, but they are not what I would consider high end. Also, if your standards are so high, why do you allow your seconds to even make it to the market place? This kind of practice is causing nothing but problems in the industry and even St. Croix, a company notable for releasing seconds blanks, is soon to quit doing this due to the overwhelming number of fraudulent warranty claims. I realize the gain in revenue you must have by selling otherwise worthless merchandise, but the repercussions of doing that seem to far outweigh the partial recouping of those losses. Counterfeiting and fraudulent warranty claims are making a serious impact on the industry right now and repairing or grinding up seconds is one of the best ways to stifle that. Nothing but a first leaves the plant. I wish you nothing but the best because I have heard nothing but good about you or your products. But please don?t place words in my mouth or assumed thoughts in my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirmy Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 It was I who put Trey Kistler on here. If you go back a few topics, I inquired into rods etc. I did some extensive research and even spoke with Kistler on a few ocassions as well as speaking to Trey once or twice. When I saw the post inquiring about Kistler, I thought who better to reply and forwarded the link on to him (call me butt kisser if you want here). He is in fact a second generation rod builder and who knows, may have a ton of info to add or help others on this particular forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdsnest Posted September 5, 2004 Report Share Posted September 5, 2004 I am no expert on rod building, but I do consider myself well versed in what constitutes a well made rod. Kistler Heliums are the cats pajamas. I own a St.Croix Legend, a Bimini custom, a Barry Evans custom, a Loomis, a Scott, and a Kistler. I simply never hit the water without the Kistler. Fantastic rod :!: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellure Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Heres a testimonial: I had the pleasure of using Scott Martin's Kistler rods this yr at Okeechobee and for the first time in 25+ yrs of bassfishing, after an hour I knew those rods were something special and different than the TD-Ls, TD-S, etc..that I was use to in my arsenal. These rods will move a 5#+ bass out of the nastiest stuff that the big O had to offer. I'm not sure how the rod differs from others in actual make-up but you could cast a lite sinko, on 60# braid, on Kistler's heaviest stick for extreme accuracy and distance...cast after cast after cast. It never failed. It was like I'd been using those rods my whole life. IF theres a finer rod out there, I've never seen or used it. Its hard to explain til you use one. KL www.customluresunlimited.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthworm77 Posted December 13, 2004 Report Share Posted December 13, 2004 I'm a little biased because I am on Kistler's regional Pro Staff but I got aclimated to the rods for a year before I jopined up. Simply put, they are the best rods I've ever used and that is why I got involved with the company in the first place. I know Matt from R/S and respect his opinions. I don't care who is making Kistler's blanks, I just know they fish better than my Loomis models...which I've since sold off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_warrior Posted February 26, 2005 Report Share Posted February 26, 2005 Having fished one of the new Heliums, that was loaned to me by a member of their pro staff I would not even consider adding another Gloomis or St. Croix. In fact I will be replacing them as my cash flow allows. Let me get a 1st in a BFL and then watch my garbage cans for signs of loomis and croix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
