Hi all,

just wanted to quickly share my thoughts on the 2017/Kistler Helium 3 Casting Rod 7'3" Heavy.

I wanted to get a new Jig and paddle tail rod given that my Avid X had a couple of broken guides (minor reason) and Black Friday was close and I got a little raise at work. 

I seriously played with the idea of getting a super high end rod like a NRX or even Shimano Conquest. I ended up ordering some of the high end rods from TW and for some reason threw in also the Kistler.

Once I got all the rods (St. Croix Legend X, Megabass Diabolo R, GLX + Kistler) I was surprised! Quality wise the Megabass looked the nicest, but the rod just felt too heavy. The GLX was ok on price and weight but just did not create the 'want' feeling to justify the price. The St.Croix was nicer than the GLX but again did not completely win me over. And then there was the Kistler. Believe it or not, it was the lightest rod out of the bunch at 3.8oz! When Kistler started their Black Friday Deal I was able to get the rod for around 130 USD (through some credit card deals). That sounded too good to pass on. Hence I kept the Kistler and sent the other rods back.

A couple of days after I sent all these high end rods back, I started to doubt my decision a bit. How could I think that a '130' USD rod could compete with the big boyz...

Saturday, I am out on the water. Rod is paired with a Team Lew's Hyper Mag Speed Spool SLP Casting Reel (reel is super light and the combo together weighs something like 9oz - will write a separate review on the reel once I had a bit more time with it) that was spooled with 12 pound Invisix.

First impression: super light and fairly well balanced (might play around with a MGL, SV103 or a Antares, to see what ultimately ends up to be the reel for the rod). 

Now the part that really surprised me: sensitivity! I was pretty much blown away by the sensitivity of the rod!!! To this point my Daiwa Steez ST was my most sensitive rod. The Kistler beats it! Not by a world but by enough to feel it. Detected two very subtle jig baits that landed me two fish for a total of 7 pounds. 

All in all I am really surprised to get that quality in a rod for that price point that is made in the US. I will def consider Kistler from now on in my rod choices!!!

Let me know if you have questions!

I absolutely love all of my kistlers. Those nfc blanks are no joke and when on sale they offer one of the best values for the money. 

Agree the HE3 punches above its weight, really like the two I have. I am surprised you felt the Diablo spec R was heavy, I find that rod balances very well and feels pretty light in hand. It’s actually one of my favorite sticks. 

 

Someday im going to add a HE 3 Heavy xfast to my rack, even though I don’t really need one. 

I have the same rod and I agree with you 100%. Great blank sensitivity & light as a feather. 

I just got that same rod a couple months...it's incredible.  All my Kistlers are. 

I have that same rod. It has become my dedicated Flipping rod. I love the sensitivity it offers and its the lightest rod I own. I will be adding more HE3 to my lineup for next year.