Kistler Helium Rods

[sdfd504]

RangerRob - 11/29/2005 11:35 AM

No offense here, Fishhead ... but it's sdfd's J-O-B to be biased. He started out as a regular retail customer ... liked the products ... and was invited to be on their prostaff. Not the other way around. He hasn't bashed any other brands - he's just merely said, "here's what I use ... check 'em out."

It's like the age-old debate of Ford vs. Chevy. Everybody chimes in and everybody has opinions, but in the end, you still have the same bunch of Ford fans and the same bunch of Chevy fans. You like Falcons, jim likes All Pros, ranman likes Joe's ... proof there will always be a difference of opinions.

Lates,
RR

Ranger Rob you said it best. I didn't post this review to start a big war over which rod is best. We should all know that each person has the one they think is best. I just put this on here so that people could see what I thought about the rods and just to let people know about the rods in general.

Blake

 

[ranman]

I won my Joe's rod, otherwise I don't know if I would have ever bought one.I have to be carefull about using it though because after I put it down and pick up one of my BPS rods they feel like a baseball bat!

 

[SNUFFY]

YOU GOTTA ADMIT SDFD YOUR ORIGINAL POST SOUNDED LIKE THE SPIEL YOU MIGHT GIVE OUT AT A FISHING SHOW...SORTA SCRIPTEDemoPoke

 

[SNUFFY]

I`M JUST CURIOUS ...DID THAT FISH HAVE BAD BREATH WHEN HE BREATHED ON IT????..............................SORRY ..JUST COULDN`T RESIST

 

[sdfd504]

Snuffy I don't think so. It was nothing but the truth and that is how I feel about the rods.

 

[Jmax]

Dog gone snuffy even if it was the spiel he would dish out at a show let him.emoBigsmile I am all for a guy getting some help from these manufacturers, we sure give them some money on a annual bases. My wal-mart specials, they do me fine. Compared to what you guys are using they are junk but they do me fine.emoTongue As long asthey bend when a fish goes on a run and I can set a hook well I'm O.K.emoThumbsup Jmax

 

[flip1up]

They are probably damn good rods, wish I could afford to find out. Fishing on a budget really sux, old boat, old tackle, heck I'm proud if my boat starts, come to think of it I feel like I'm getting old too, cant see good anymore either- uh, what were we talking about? Great, cant even keep a line of thought. I'm getting me another beer.

 

[jason]

Do $200-$400 rods help you catch more fish? According to the ads in Bassmaster, yes, they do. However, I've used Quantum reels & rods exclusively for the past five years or so and could replace all three of my combos (rod AND reel) for just under $450. Never once have I returned from a day on the lake and said "If I had a high dollar rod, I would have caught more fish". I am in no way demeaning those who choose to spend big bucks on rods. If someone could justify the advantages to having one, I might even buy one. Until then, I just don't get itemoScratch .

 

[sdfd504]

Jason do they help you catch more fish. Some people that haven't tried the high end rods say no but a lot of us think so. Now the high end rods are not for everybody. If you just go out fishing every once in a while then you may not want the high end rods. Why well catching that extra fish may not be that important to you. Back to the subject of it catching more fish. One example I use a lot is the 2005 State Federation tourney. I was fishing a crankbait all day along with some other baits without a bite. Within the last 5 minutes I put three fish in the boat. Now I am sure you are wondering how does have to do with the rods? Well they were not biting crankbaits very good at all and with the Helium rods I think it gave me an advantage over the competition. With them barely taking the crankbait I was able to feel even the smallest strike and it put me in 3rd place. Maybe it was just skill but without the sensitive rods I don't think I would have felt those fish. Several other times I have been worm fishing or jig fishing and felt the smallest tap and I was able to catch the fish. I think with a cheaper rod that wasn't as sensitive I would not catch that extra fish. Like I said the high end rods aren't for everybody. When the spring rolls around again I would be glad to let you use the rods to see for yourself.

 

[DSIMS]

Just a little on Kistler rods . Kistler makes a fine product ! The helium rod is among the best in the country .I personally had 12 Kistlers for everything from cranking, flippn, spinning to jerkbait rods . I have since went with H&H Rods that is also a high end rod and works as well if not better . I like many of you could never see paying large amounts for rods or reels but I have changed my mind . Think about this we have no problem going to the boat place dropping between $25,000 and $40,000 on the boat we use every week. We put the best electronics on em we can get. we buy $14.99 baits in a blink of an eye . With this said will the high end rod catch more fish ? on alot of days most rods will catch fish , the reels will flip and work fine for the most part and our line will hold up and do what we need . Here is the difference , alot of times the bite is not wide open and you need better sensitivity with lighter rods, our rods/ reels must work with us as a extention of our arm and almost feel as they have blood and tendons lashing them together. This makes for a more comfortable day that in time will give you confidence that you will feel the slightest breath of air on the other end and this is where the high end stuff comes into play . The $200.00 rod the $150.00 reel and the line that cost $15.00 or better for a 100 yard spool . The high end rod usually comes with a lifetime warranty , break it, send it back with a check for $35.00 or so and get a new one in a few days. Cheaper rods usually have a 1 year warranty . With all this said I think as fisherman we take better care of the stuff that cost us more. I am willing to gamble that all of you keep your boats in tip top shape , clean, wax , washing keeping tackle straight . i do the same and protect my rods and reels like they are my life blood . One, cause I paid more for them and two because i can pick up anyone of them and have the same feel without an adjustment period getting use to the new feel . I am not trying to sway you one way or the other but the next time you get some extra cash or your wife wants to get you something special get a high end rod /reel combo and you will probably find yourself fishing with it more than you do your other equipment. Thats what happened to me . and yes I also think a good fisherman can fish $60.00 rods and $50.00 reels with $6.00 line and whip your backside . for me its all about confidence and being comfortable and we all know a guy can take a flat bottom Aluminum boat with a 35 on it and have a 20 pound sack at the weigh in and take all of us fellas money that pulled in with 19 and 20 foot tournament rigs. It's all relative !

Donnie Sims

 

[SNUFFY]

YOU KNOW DHAUN.... YOU OUGHT TO SEND KISTLER A BILL !!!

 

[Fishheadspin]

i agree snuffy , why does kistler not foot the bill for this site? Lord knows there is enough advertisments on it!

 

[RangerRob]

Let me just remind you guys - Fishhead & Snuffy - that this thread had been dead and buried for 20 days when YOU brought it back up. If you're tired of hearing about Kistlers, just stop fanning the flames. If there is a particular product that anyone else would like reviewed, I'm betting $$$ that they could do it without getting beat up the way sdfd has for his post.

I'm not trying to pick fights ... just keep the peace. Give it a rest already and post something you think the rest might enjoy trying.

RR

 

[SNUFFY]

Well let me remind you RANGEROB...maybe YOU ought to put your glasses on before you go accusing me of bringing something back up after 20 days . The previous testimonial by mr. dsims was posted less than 8 HOURS prior to mine....and numerous others within the last week ...personally I don`t mind any post that I`ve read on this forum EVER !!! As you have said in your previous post...everybody has their own opinion and the right to it...I personally don`t have an opinion on Kistler since I`ve never seen one. YOU need to get your facts straight before you start making accusations.

 

[Jmax]

RE: Kistler Helium Rods, please let it lie.

You said it now let's kiss and make up, I don't use any of those rods but if guys wants to plug a product a little let them. But also lets get back to the FUN of posting fishing reports and new product reviews.emoToast Jmax

 

[RangerRob]

My apologies Snuffy. It was actually Fishhead that brought it back up after 20 days. But, you've both beaten this poor thread to death with negative comments and my facts ARE straight on that. sdfd made his review to inform guys just like me and you - as I've never actually used a Kistler myself - as to their (Kistler's) slant. I understand that your posts on this topic are mostly just ribbing, but give the guy a break. I read sdfd's and DSIMS's posts with interest only because I am aware of Kistler's product and their forward thinking in rod design. I'm considering making my own rods down the road and any info I can gain is to my advantage. I currently own and use 14 All Stars, but that is beside the point as I never used that as a pro or con to sdfd's review. "To each their own," right. I'm all for the sharing of opinions . What I'm against is personal attacks just because someone chose to increase OUR awareness as to what's out there. To base negative opinions on someone or their thinking because they are doing their job or you think their product is "hype" is just wrong ... plain and simple.

Snuffy, again ... my apologies. You and Fishhead are my brothers. But so are sdfd and DSIMS and they felt the need to post to make us all better anglers and more aware of what's outside our own rod lockers. Believe me ... I have negative opinions myself, but that's where I try to keep them ... to myself.

Tight lines gentlemen.
RangerRob

 

[DHaun]

RE: Kistler Helium Rods, please let it lie.

Okay, What Jmax said...Let's get back to posting fishing reports. A little history on this post though... sdfd504 was courteous enough to send me an introductory email asking permission to participate and post on the site and add a few reviews for his pro-staff sponsors.

I had some reservations on this since I don't want the site littered up with ads and one-post plugs. I am thinking about just deleting the next one-post plug that pops-up without some kind of request, fishing report, or useful information tied to it - but sdfd504 is a young angler trying to work hard doing something he likes...so trying to encourage a new fisherman I agreed to let him post his reviews hoping for some fishing reports in return (been fishing lately sdfd504?).

I have never heard of Kistler rods, never paid more than $50 for a rod. If anyone from the Kistler company ever reads this post I indeed would request a 15% discount to forum members, but the intent was not to endorse a product, just to allow a young assertive angler to post a few reviews. I would hate to have to censor anything on the site, but I will delete any thread where harrassing behavior or personal attacks are made, it's just not what CFF is about. Let's freeze this thread...