Curious about Kistler Helium Rods.  I've used the Dobyns Champion Extreme Series rods all my Bass fishing life and often wondered but never asked What makes the Kistler Helium rods so good?    

The blank is the magic. Nice components and a clean simple build. They are very light and sensitive.

Love my Helium rods. I’d probably fish all Helium if I could afford to. Currently I have Helium’s and Magnesium’s as well as a couple Daiwa Aird-X rods.

 

They are light and sensitive while still being a workhorse rod for me. I think you should give them a try if you can afford one.

I appreciate your recommendation.  I was informed the Kistler rods are filled with Helium.  what warranty covers the possibility the gas leaks out the rod?  What guaranty this doesn't happen?  

7 minutes ago, LSU Fan said:

I appreciate your recommendation.  I was informed the Kistler rods are filled with Helium.  what warranty covers the possibility the gas leaks out the rod?  What guaranty this doesn't happen?  

You can go to Autozone and get the Helium fluid to regas the rod. The bottle is in same aisle right next to the blinker fluid. Very easy DIY project.

Yeah!  Why would I spend $300.00 for a gas filled fishing rod that I'll have to go to an auto Parts store to buy the gas in fluid form to recharge the rod?  Now that doesn't make since at all.  

  

My man.... he was yanking your chain. The rods are NOT filled with Helium. ?

I understand Birdman.  Was contacted by friend I've fished with who has a Kistler he wants me to try out.  Although didn't go to the water did some "backyard fishing" and I have to say "Nice"!  As originally asked about the Kistler rods I now know.  Thanks Scott for dropping by.  

9 hours ago, LSU Fan said:

Yeah!  Why would I spend $300.00 for a gas filled fishing rod that I'll have to go to an auto Parts store to buy the gas in fluid form to recharge the rod?  Now that doesn't make since at all.  

  

At standard pressure or compressed in a can the chemical element helium exists in a liquid form once released out of the can it turns into gas. One 3oz can is good for 1500 recharges on a standard 7' MH/F rod.

For those believing that the rods are filled with helium and are looking for a method of recharging them, while you're at it, find the titanium in the Columbia parkas.  And the titanium in the Fords.  Keep me posted.

I have both Helium and Dobyns Champ rods... both very good.  Helium tends to be lighter and more sensitive and I prefer for bottom contact. They tend to be more XF where Dobyns are typically Fast.  I prefer Dobyns action for flipping... all personal preference of course..

I have two Helium's: an original LTA 7' Med F spin I use as a soft plastics and DS rod, and an He3 7'10" H Mod cast for flipping. The MF weighs under 4oz(!) and is the most sensitive rod I own. The HMod weighs just over 5oz. Can't compare with the Dobyns. I'm guessing that most high end rods are comparable.

 

As to being injected with He, I always chuckled at that -true or not. But, the rods were known to float (sans reel) and I believe mine did when I tested it -if I'm remembering right. As I also seem to remember, @J Francho and I had a conversation about that and I think he said he had another high end rod that will float. Will be interesting if he pipes in and let's me know how good or bad my memory is. Regardless, weight is critical to sensitivity so weight/power is what we pay for. The He blanks are NFC/Gary Loomis.

All of my Saint Croix Avids will float with an 8.8 oz. reel or less.

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

All of my Saint Croix Avids will float with an 8.8 oz. reel or less.

And of course you've tested this....

 

Wonder if my Fury will float with my Fuego on it? (Experiment time!!!)

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

And of course you've tested this....

After the initial drop, I mean test, yes I did some experimentation.  The lightest reels I had at the time were 8.8 oz.

I have a few Kistler rods. I have wondered why they seemed to lose sensitivity over time, enough that they went from the traveling team to being on the bench in my shop.  Obviously they haven't been recharged.  I just went out to the fishing shed and looked and sure enough, the gas fitting is hidden underneath the end cap.  When I bought the rods, I immediately threw away all the literature that came with it.  Had I just retained the literature, I'm sure it would have mentioned where the gas fitting was hidden. I feel bad, having sent some literature to the landfill before its time.

They should put green butt caps on them.

 

Like the valve stem caps on car tires that are 'supposed' to be filled with nitrogen. 

My friend's Kistler rod did have a small schader type valve located under the but cap which was green.  He informed me as the rod began to loose its gas the valve would turn a tint of red.  Really glad my Dobyns rod has a fain beep when it reaches a 50 hour usege period.  Guess there is a catch to everything.   

I thought the Helium shortage was why they cost so much!