On 11/2/2021 at 3:16 PM, bigspirit said:

Sorry to bring this back up. Anyone with experience with any of the Ark rods in the 6’10” medium light? I like the price a bit more but the “medium light” worries me a little even though the lure rating is 1/8-1/2oz

I have the Tharp version. It's definitely a ML XF. Soft tip that gets quickly into the backbone. 1/16 - 1/4 is more realistic for this rod. It's my ned rod and it excells at that job. The Zodias was for sure the better choice for the baits you mentioned, but if you get in the market for a ned, hair jig, dropshot rod, this is a great choice.

1 hour ago, WPCfishing said:

Rods arrived, no label showing Made in the USA? Did some searching. Shows the Helium blanks as made in Japan by Toray. I have no idea what I have bought. Anybody have the answer? 

Toray is among the top carbon fiber manufacturers.  Google them.

12 hours ago, WPCfishing said:

Rods arrived, no label showing Made in the USA? Did some searching. Shows the Helium blanks as made in Japan by Toray. I have no idea what I have bought. Anybody have the answer? 

Kistler quit using the made in the U.S NFC blanks this past year.  I guess to try to keep the cost down.

The old NFC Z Bone , Helium and KLX were great rods. 

I've not fished the new blanks so I can't offer an opinion there but I find it odd that they would use the same blank on the Helium and Z bone. 

Of course the Z bone has a more expensive guide train.

As far as I know they are still assembled in Magnolia TX.