Hey Folks,

 

i am looking for a somewhat specific jig rod.  I would like something in the 7’-7’1” range, MH (skipping and Flippin 3/8, 1/2, maybe 5/8 oz. jigs).   I want a rod without exposed threads hitting my thumb or finger(so a small Fore grip).  I want to keep it around $300.  I have a lot of other rods, but want a solid dedicated jig skipping rod.     I have narrowed it down to the Kistler Helium3 and the Shimano Expride.   Have heard great things about both these rods.  If you have experience with these or any other rods meeting this criteria, I would appreciate any help in picking a rod.   

 

Thanks!

Have both and would go with the Expride. No doubt about it. I fish the Expride and my son fishes the Helium now lol

Shimano Expride, St Croix Legend Tournament, and Megabass Orochi XX are among my favorite rods around your price. Personally, between the Kistler Helium and Expride, I would go with the Expride as well. It's an awesome rod and is extremely impressive. 

EXPRIDE!?

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, LegendaryBassin said:

EXPRIDE!?

 

 

 

LOL  Neither rod will disappoint but I would go Expride too. Expride vs Helium flip a coin lol

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/helios-okuma-rod-review.html

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/okuma-helios-reel-rod.html

 

 

 

Wow, the Expride in a landslide so far.  I thought it might be a little closer.  I will also check out the Helios.  I have a Helios reel that has been solid for years.  

Thanks everyone. 

Expride as well. 

Helium 3 for me. Although I use the 7'1 H for jig skipping. 

Rich,

 

i have not not used a Kistler yet, is there a soft enough tip on the Helium using the heavy? 

 

Thanks

Expride > Helium. Go with the Expride. You'll thank us all later lol. 7'2 H Expride

I also just checked out the Daiwa Elite AGS that has pretty much what I was looking for. Anyone use one of those?   Specifically the 7’ m-mh.  

 

I do do have a 6’10” Tatula I am using now.  Like a little shorter rod, but 7’ seems about right for me.   I will check out the Fitzgerald rods as well.  

6 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

I also just checked out the Daiwa Elite AGS that has pretty much what I was looking for. Anyone use one of those?   Specifically the 7’ m-mh.  

 

I do do have a 6’10” Tatula I am using now.  Like a little shorter rod, but 7’ seems about right for me.   I will check out the Fitzgerald rods as well.  

You'll get a million answers. While an open mind is good, it can also be chaos. In your price range, the Expride and Helium are the top dogs. I'd pick the Expride personally and pick the model you think best fits what you plan to do. Highly recommend the 7'2 H Expride.

1 minute ago, JLewis134 said:

You'll get a million answers. While an open mind is good, it can also be chaos. In your price range, the Expride and Helium are the top dogs. I'd pick the Expride personally and pick the model you think best fits what you plan to do.

I agree.  While I know it may open a Pandora’s box of sorts, since I can’t hold all these rods, I want to gather as many somewhat specific opinions as possible while narrowing it down a bit with specific parameters.  

When you add flipping to your presentation techniques in lieu of pitching the rod becomes more specific to lift the bass out of cover verses using the reel to fight the bass out of cover. 

The Exprite is 7'2" long or longer then your request. The EX172MHA medium heavy will cast a lot more accurately and skip jigs easier then EX172HA heavy rod IMO.

Tom

Sorry Tom, I actually meant to say pitching and skipping.  I was thinking the same thing about the medium heavy being more accurate skipping and pitching.  I do have a couple 7’3” heavy rods, but I really like around 7’ rods to skip more accurately.  For pitching, I actually like the 7’3”-7’6” rods.  Since this will be my primary skipping with pitches in between rod, I wanted to stay around that 7’ range.  I currently use a 6’10” and it works, but a couple more inches are preferred since I am 6’3” and it is easier for me to keep it close to the water with a little longer rod, even just a couple inches.  Thanks

Not sure if money is a deal breaker but the kistler is $197 after promo code and expride is $260+ everywhere. That’s a noticeable price difference. 

16 minutes ago, WRB said:

When you add flipping to your presentation techniques in lieu of pitching the rod becomes more specific to lift the bass out of cover verses using the reel to fight the bass out of cover. 

The Exprite is 7'2" long or longer then your request. The EX172MHA medium heavy will cast a lot more accurately and skip jigs easier then EX172HA heavy rod IMO.

Tom

It's Expride not Exprite, plus the 7'2 H would be better suited for 1/2 and 5/8 oz jigs.1/2 and 5/8 th oz jig plus trailer will be pushing 3/4 of an ounce plus pitching around cover you'll want the H power. I own both and you'll want H around cover with 1/2 oz jigs not the MH...

11 minutes ago, JLewis134 said:

It's Expride not Exprite, plus the 7'2 H would be better suited for 1/2 and 5/8 oz jigs.1/2 and 5/8 th oz jig plus trailer will be pushing 3/4 of an ounce plus pitching around cover you'll want the H power. I own both and you'll want H around cover with 1/2 oz jigs not the MH...

Thanks I always need spelling correction. Where did heavy cover come into this thread? Heavy cover to me equals 60 lb+ braid to cut through it. Casting a 1 oz jig or a 1/4 oz jig with a MH rod is common practice, where you cast it determines the rod power, IMO.

Tom

56 minutes ago, WRB said:

Thanks I always need spelling correction. Where did heavy cover come into this thread? Heavy cover to me equals 60 lb+ braid to cut through it. Casting a 1 oz jig or a 1/4 oz jig with a MH rod is common practice, where you cast it determines the rod power, IMO.

Tom

You sir didn't read my post. I said around cover. Never did I say heavy cover. A 7'2 MH Expride wouldn't be able to handle a 1 oz jig effectively. It would overload the blank. For use of skipping dock, under brush (which are all forms of cover), you'd want the H with 1/2 and 5/8 oz jigs the OP suggested he will be using. I happen to own both rods.

3 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Rich,

 

i have not not used a Kistler yet, is there a soft enough tip on the Helium using the heavy? 

 

Thanks

I think so. I like the extra fast tip on it. Works great for me. While I've never used an expride, I do own a 6'10mh and 7'2 mh zodias. They skip fine too but I prefer the extra fast tip on the Kistler. 

Money is not a deal breaker and I want to get the right rod, but if they are close to equal rods, I wouldn’t mind saving a buck.   Thanks GReb I just saw that extra 10% now!

Both of these rods seem to be liked with a preference to the Expride from what I have read.  Dang it I wish I could hold both rods and see a personal preference.  

Thanks again for all this info everyone.  Birthday is coming and the family wants a choice.  Coming soon

16 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

Money is not a deal breaker and I want to get the right rod, but if they are close to equal rods, I wouldn’t mind saving a buck.   Thanks GReb I just saw that extra 10% now!

Both of these rods seem to be liked with a preference to the Expride from what I have read.  Dang it I wish I could hold both rods and see a personal preference.  

Thanks again for all this info everyone.  Birthday is coming and the family wants a choice.  Coming soon

The Expride is the better rod IMO. The Helium is no slouch but IMO not on the level of the Expride. The Expride competes with many rods I own close to $350-$400. 

BTW I have fished both.

Tatula Elite Skipping rod.

 

Under your budget, but a darned good rod. 
 

I have both the 6’9” and the 7’1” and both are excellent. The 7’1” is a little easier to skip because it loads up different because of the length, but the 6’9” is better in right quarters.

10 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

is there a soft enough tip on the Helium

Yes, MH Kistler tips are awesome.  I have Heliums (2 & 3), Magnesiums, and KLXs in MH and they're all great with baits down to 1/4 ounce.