Sweet spot for my preferred fishing of Texas rigs and Jigs is 3/16oz weight (plus hook and plastic). I have used and LOVED a 6'8" Kistler He-3 LMH (NFC) casting rod for several years. That rod is sadly on its last legs. I am not sold on the Heliums that came after the NFC's.

I am looking for a replacement. I haven't found anything real close to having similar action, sensitivity and weight. 12# Flouro is typically what I will use on it.

The old rod will handle down to weightless for most plastics - that would be a plus. I have rods that will handle heavier; not looking for something versatile. Just want a rod that does one thing exceptionally well.

How is the rod on its last legs? Have you considered sending it back to Kistler for repair? I sent them an old KLX that lost a guide. The repair was flawless and the rod's still in my rotation.

I was going to suggest a LMH Helium, but they're not on your list. Most of my rods are Kistlers, going back 10 or 12 years, including the 6'8" He-3 LMH (NFC) you have.

Best of luck repairing or replacing it.

@DogBone_384 ,ty. The problem is one I haven't seen before. There is a hairline fracture approx 1/3 from tip. Sort of like surface is splintering with point of splinter towards tip. Split appears to be about 5-6 inches long, but it is hard to tell how long or how deep. I assume that it will worsen no matter what I do. Not enough room to apply any sort of glue or cement underneath without bending to where it will almost certainly spread.

I had 7'3" LMH Helium made shortly after they stopped using NFC and it was never nearly as satisfying as this one. Length may have had more to do with that than the blank, but my opinion was formed. And then it snapped like a twig fighting a 2# fish....no high sticking or anything.

I'm not off Kistler, but not convinced HE is way to go.

That's a bummer. Is it in your wheelhouse to have them build a custom rod for you? Call or email them and ask about their Abrams' blank (I want to try one, but can't justify buying any more rods.). It's supposed to be sourced here in the US. You'll likely get and answer from Reuben or Trey in short order.

Again, good luck finding your replacement.

I can't really help other than to suggest talking to a custom rod builder or calling someone like Alex at ALX rods. Don't know if there is an ALX rod in production that would fit the bill or if he could build one to fit your need. I have a couple of his rods that I like, but nothing like what you are looking for. Good luck. Let us know what you wind up with.

Depending on your budget and preferred length, the Loomis 802c or 852c JWR series could work well. I have used mine for light T-rigs and bottom contact - and they are excellent for weightless plastics like Senko or fluke.

I use a p5 xbites with a metanium shallow spool edition for my weightless plastics.... I'll even throw a 1/5 ned rig on it.... Anything under 1/4 is doable....

Take a look at the NFC Edge First Strike

ISR 694-1. It is an inshore taper and action. I have this model and the taper provides a traditional or moderate action. Don’t let the 4 power scare you. It’s much more of a three minus by most manufacturers standard. It’s light and sensitive. FFT

I use a falcon lowrider finesse jig for my 1/4 ounce finesse jigs which is pretty close in weight to what you are using. It’s a med heavy mod fast. I have liked the rod so far, and it is very versatile to use with moving baits as well.

Depending on the plastic, I like the Loomis 803C JWR GLX. I recently broke an older one and received the newest version through the warranty service. So far I really like it. Its lighter and the tip is a little softer. It also feels well balanced. The odd thing it sort of has a JDM feel to the blank. Great rod and nice improvement over the old one.

I used the MH Helium with NFC blank for light Trigs for several years until I broke the tip on it. I replaced it with the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7’ med+ Brent Ehlers rod. It is perfect for 1/8 and 3/16 Texas rigs and very sensitive.

28 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

I used the MH Helium with NFC blank for light Trigs for several years until I broke the tip on it. I replaced it with the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7’ med+ Brent Ehlers rod. It is perfect for 1/8 and 3/16 Texas rigs and very sensitive.

Thx. This is on my short list. Would love an NRX or even GLX, but I'm just not yet convincing myself that I want to spend that much. Then again, this is how I spend vast majority of my time fishing, so not quite ready to set a ceiling yet.

It’s possible Edge could have something that would work for you, but I totally understand not being thrilled with Treys new South Korean blanks. I ordered a spinning in ML 7’ & it’s fine at the $200 price point but they’re not even close to Gary’s blanks. I’d probably advise a custom build with the guides & reel seat you love if you can actually determine a blank (very hard to know) been in your shoes before, hope you find it.

@Choporoz - what hooks are you running in this setup? Light to normal wire up to about a 3-4/0?

You said 7'3" is too long, but do you have a top end in mind for length?

21 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Choporoz - what hooks are you running in this setup? Light to normal wire up to about a 3-4/0?

You said 7'3" is too long, but do you have a top end in mind for length?

Owners, usually 3/0 and 4/0 Lightwire, but on occasion, 'normal'. I don't know that 7'3" is necessarily too long. Only that I snapped 7'3" similar power/action. I imagine many blanks would be more durable than the one I had. I do like the precision the 6'8", but I am open to longer. I cover big grass flats with 1/8 or 3/16 and longer would at times be welcome. So, I'm not firmly decided. Generally 7 or under would be fine.

Look at a Loomis 803C JWR or 853C JWR which ever of their rod lines is in your budget I like GLX and NRX. I have a 853C myself and love it for light tx rigs and smaller jigs I had a 852C but felt it was too close the equivalent spinning model.

If you liked Kistler on the NFC blanks, check out Pride Rods as they are built on NFC’s.

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Owners, usually 3/0 and 4/0 Lightwire, but on occasion, 'normal'. I don't know that 7'3" is necessarily too long. Only that I snapped 7'3" similar power/action. I imagine many blanks would be more durable than the one I had. I do like the precision the 6'8", but I am open to longer. I cover big grass flats with 1/8 or 3/16 and longer would at times be welcome. So, I'm not firmly decided. Generally 7 or under would be fine.

that’s helpful. My first thought when you wrote it above was that the falcon swim jig is what I’d be using in that scenario (and do). But it’s 7’2” so I think that’s more than your preference. Brycecover’s note about the finesse jig is a good one but that’s why I asked about the hook. I don’t love it with a heavy hook, but it’s fine with a normal wire/normal size and absolutely fine with an owner light wire. And I can confirm that with light line and a capable reel (I have a zillion on mine) you can throw a 4” fluke on an unweighted hook. I have the expert series version so I can’t talk to the Cara but I understand the Cara actually has a little more tip to it.

Falcon Cara Head Turner is what I fish light Texas rigs on. Its pretty similar but the Helium has a bit faster tip.

@GReb - I agree on the HT, my only hesitation was that he said down to weightless for most plastics. A HT with a 5" senko is no problem (one weighs 3/8 oz or so). But something like a 6" weightless trick worm is more like 1/5-1/4 oz and is going to be pushing the limits on that rod whereas the finesse jig will handle that. The HT will do a heavier setup for sure, but choproz isn't looking for that- just the lighter side- hence I lean to the FJ.

On 3/19/2026 at 1:32 PM, casts_by_fly said:

@GReb - I agree on the HT, my only hesitation was that he said down to weightless for most plastics. A HT with a 5" senko is no problem (one weighs 3/8 oz or so). But something like a 6" weightless trick worm is more like 1/5-1/4 oz and is going to be pushing the limits on that rod whereas the finesse jig will handle that. The HT will do a heavier setup for sure, but choproz isn't looking for that- just the lighter side- hence I lean to the FJ.

You are probably right I just don’t have experience with that rod. However funny story is I was supposed to. Shop sent me a Head Turner by accident and I decided to keep it even though I already had 2. 😂

If you decide to go all in financially, this rod should meet and probably exceed your expectations. It has for me, though I was fortunate enough to pick it up used a couple years back with a decent discount.

• Diawa Steez AGS 7' M+/XF 1/8-3/4oz "The Sensor"

scott

Thanks, all. Really appreciate the help. No place close to get my hands on any of them. Chose to order a Loomis GLX 802C JWR.

On 3/20/2026 at 8:36 PM, Choporoz said:

Thanks, all. Really appreciate the help. No place close to get my hands on any of them. Chose to order a Loomis GLX 802C JWR.

After a thousands of casts and hundred plus fish, I can say that I am very happy with this rod. It is pretty close to a one for one replacement for the H3 LMH. One aspect better, one maybe not quite as good. First, this rod is about the same as the H3 for sensitivity on tight and semi-slack fluoro; however, it this the first rod I've used where I feel bites on totally slack line (12# Abrasx). I know that probably will be dismissed by most - I would have rolled my eyes at a that a month ago. But on several occasions, I was dead sticking a Rage Bug with 1/8 tungsten bullet, very slack line, and said to myself "what the...?". Very different than other bites... just a sort of sensation I cannot quite describe. Never experienced that before.

On the other hand, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage once I hook a big fish. I have landed 3 over 5 and they were good, fun fights. I have twice hooked bigger and I was over-matched. Both times, I felt I got good hook set, long fight and got them near the boat. Both times, I couldn't prevent late run back past me and lost them. Not to say I would have landed them with the H3, but I rarely recall feeling as if I really needed more 'power'.

Not blaming the rod. I need to adjust and improve.

For what you are describing 3/16 oz Texas rigged plastics would be a 2 power or 3 power loomis rod. If you are always in that 3/16th range I’d go with the two power. I like the longer length of an 892jwr for casting distance and the amount of line you can move on the hookset. I do fish an 802 on occasion but I use that for close quarters where I’m pitching into defined pockets around structure. The 893 fishes almost the same but with just that bit more strength for casting heavier baits or when you need the power to push a thicker hook through the plastic and into the fish.

As for models pick your price. For the best, go with the nrx+. It’s lighter, has greater sensitivity and a bit quicker recovery on the blank. But I do have the 892jwr in the series one of the imx-pro and I love that one too.