Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

About Fishing Products including Make Your Own => Bass Fishing Products => Topic started by: 1javelin on March 01, 2007, 12:43:32 AM

Title: Any Kistlers???
Post by: 1javelin on March 01, 2007, 12:43:32 AM
  Have purchased a few Kistler rods for this season, and need to get 1 or 2 more, depending.  Does anyone have any experience with them, satisfied or not, and why?  Also does anyone know how one(me) could find some for a little less than full price??  Besides E-bay, which I am a regular on??   Thanks for any and all input..
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: blakstr1 on March 01, 2007, 06:47:55 AM
cannot go wrong with Kistler!  they are truly lighter than air but strong as a tank.  they perform really well.  the whole technique specific line of rods has really been done well, they perform just as you would like.  i have 7 rods right now...  ;)  Trey Kistler (CEO) is very approachable and helpful, you can actually call the company and talk to him  :o  they will make custom rods as well, if you still don't find a rod to suit you.  pm me if you want, i can give you more info.
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: McCarter on March 01, 2007, 09:31:40 AM
Jav,

Cabelas usually has a couple in the bargain cave.  You wont find them on the cabelas website under bargain cave, but if you go to the store, they are usually back there.  No guarantess.  I will be at Cabelas in 3 weeks for the Spring Fishing days or whatever they are calling it, i will check for ya.

McCarter himself :-\'
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: blakstr1 on March 01, 2007, 09:36:57 AM
Gander Mountain in Flint sells them, that's the closest resource to me, but seldom at a discount.
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: BigSmallie on March 01, 2007, 10:10:58 AM
I only own 1 Kistler.   They are a fine rod........however.......the 2 things that I do not like about the rod is:

1) I had to go through 4 reels to find one that would stay in the reel seat.  So I'm not able to choose which reel I would like to put on the rod.
2) The 6'6" medium heavy rod I have seems stiff all the way to the tip...not much give at the tip like my Loomis.

But.......when you need the strength to pull fish out of heavy cover and not sacrifice sensitivitiy.........they are very nice.

BS
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: Cheetam on March 01, 2007, 10:50:46 AM
I have owned quite a few.  Overall, I have been satisfied with them.  Every dealing I have had with Trey or Clifford has been awesome.  Last year I slammed my car door on a 3-year-old LTA, which promptly took approx. 6 inches off the rod.  I contacted them to see where I could purchase a new tip for the rod (since I actually liked the action of that rod a lot more after I broke it than before I broke it).  Clifford sent me out 2 tips for free (since he didn't know what size would be needed, so he sent two) and I had them in a couple days.

The issue with the reel seets has been ongoing.  It is my understanding (through the grapevine) that Kistler is dropping Batson as their reel seet of choice and going to Fuji.  That will take care of the "wrapping your reel seat in electrical tape to get it to sit right" issue with Batsons (if it is true).
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: 1javelin on March 01, 2007, 02:34:12 PM
Thanks for the feedback, and anyone else can keep it coming.  I'm surprised to hear that your rod was too stiff, because comparing my MH to my buddies Loomis MH, mine was softer than his through the tip.  Wierd.  Anyways, I have Tour Edition reels, and they seem to fit fine in the reel seat.  Maybe I'll know more when I get a chance to go fishing with them.  Thanks again guys.
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: OUTLAW on March 03, 2007, 12:15:27 AM
I have used kistler for the past 7 years, I will agree with the other post Trey Used to be good to deal with, They have outgrown the personal service that they had. The new Magnesium rods are not nearly as good as the helium's they are made over sea's and do not have near the quality that you would expect from a rod at that price point! after a year the rod realy starts to show wear. I have 3 7mh heliums for sale. I have sold the rest of my rods on ebay. The best rod I have found to replace kistker is H&H rods they are real easy to deal with, Josh knows his stuff. If you need a rod for a specific aplication he will lead you the right way. If you want more info e-mail me. www.hhfishingrods.com
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: BigSmallie on March 03, 2007, 02:28:10 PM
Quote from: 1javelin on March 01, 2007, 02:34:12 PM
I'm surprised to hear that your rod was too stiff, because comparing my MH to my buddies Loomis MH, mine was softer than his through the tip.  Wierd.  Anyways, I have Tour Edition reels, and they seem to fit fine in the reel seat.


LOL!!  That is wierd!!   I don't know.....my Kistler is just stiff all the way to the tip....not any give at all in the last 8 - 6 inches???   But, this rod works great for me  when using heavy tubes or jigs.   ;)

I also us the Quantum Energy PT's with my rods but for some reason.....only certain ones will fit in that Kistler.  It must be the Fuji thing mentioned above.

Any way........I'll never give up my Loomis rods!!

BS   ;)
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: DDBethke on March 03, 2007, 05:17:44 PM
Quote from: McCarter on March 01, 2007, 09:31:40 AM
Jav,

Cabelas usually has a couple in the bargain cave.  You wont find them on the cabelas website under bargain cave, but if you go to the store, they are usually back there.  No guarantess.  I will be at Cabelas in 3 weeks for the Spring Fishing days or whatever they are calling it, i will check for ya.

McCarter himself :-\'

I just talked to "Bill" @ Cabela's 2day, he is going to be stocking some of the Kistler Line Rod's soon...

Duane
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: bassindivine on March 03, 2007, 05:32:44 PM
Quote from: OUTLAW on March 03, 2007, 12:15:27 AM
I have 3 7mh heliums for sale. I have sold the rest of my rods on ebay.
how much?
Title: Re: Any Kistlers???
Post by: 1javelin on March 03, 2007, 06:36:44 PM
I'm pretty specific, and am looking for a 6'9" medium spinning rod, a 6'6" or 7' cranking rod, and possibly another cranking rod.  Let me know if any of you know a locale for any of these.  Thanks