Kistler makes the best rods available IMO.

Hey, you're entitled to your opinion.

So is1jay don't be bashing them just because you can't build a rod that light and get people to shell out $$$ money to you for them.

Well, at lest mine have quality components. Just so you know... I'm not in the rod building business. I have a business, but not making rods. I started making my own rods because I couldn't find what I wanted in a rod and had a friend who had been building rods since 1970. He taught me how and I started making my own. I do build rods for other people, but usually only a friend or a friend of a friend. I don't have the time to start making rods as a business. Just wanted to make that clear. I'm not in the rod building business.  

To all the Kistler owners... I'm not really trying to bash them. If they are now using Fuji components as someone stated... I'm sure they are a much better rod for it!  8-)

They replaced a magnesium for me last year with no fuss, they paid shipping and everything.  The epoxy was peeling, 1st run had issues.

Like I said on another thread.

I believe quality control should happen BEFORE the product gets to market.

After reading the interview.......

I find his comments that the average guy wouldn't understand about this stuff to be offensive.

IMO he came off as a condescending little snot, who thinks his customers are too dumb and "can't handle the truth".

I also do not believe that is his reason. My guess is that he doesn't use any one blank. He probably has several manufactures that he deals with and on any given day will buy lots from whoever has the quantities he needs at the price he wants to pay. In other words I'm saying that you and I can have can have the same model rod, but your blank is a rogue and mine is something else. I can uncerstand not wanting to advertise that fact, but blaming the customer for being too dumb to understand is insulting and based on what I believe, dishonest.

As far as swithcing components I don't buy the 'fuji defect" secenario. Sure they face issues but other rod companies seem to work through it. I think it was just another smoke screen to cover up the fact that he is "shopping around" like he does with blanks.

I don't own a Kistler rod. Dan and others who I greatly respect think they are outstanding, so I will accept that it is a great rod.

My problem is with Trey. I think he is a slippery double talker who points the finger at others, to cover up his cost driven and inconsistant component buying policies.

In light of how I feel about his business ethics, I also find it hard to accept his religeous enlightenment. I'm not saying it's a ploy to sell rods, but when you haven't earned my respect I take these proclamations of 'divine guidance" with a grain of proverbial salt.

I would like to try a high end Kistler.  The devotees, really think they are the greatest, but based on principle I won't buy one new.

"My only problem with them is that they were using Batson components and they are some of the cheapest components on the market!"

Actually, the pac bay reel seats Kistler uses costs more than Fuji. Just go to mudhole.com and research it a little before you repete non-truths. That is exactly how rumors get spread around the net and folks start thinking it's the truth.

Oh by the way, Kistler actually uses MORE thread wrap and epoxy vs other rods. Just compare them to any other rod, side by side, and you will see that the Kistlers have larger framed guides and bigger thread wraps, thus, more epoxy. So much for your theory that they use the bare minimun to make their rods light.

"My only problem with them is that they were using Batson components and they are some of the cheapest components on the market!"

Actually, the pac bay reel seats Kistler uses costs more than Fuji. Just go to mudhole.com and research it a little before you repete non-truths. That is exactly how rumors get spread around the net and folks start thinking it's the truth.

Oh by the way, Kistler actually uses MORE thread wrap and epoxy vs other rods. Just compare them to any other rod, side by side, and you will see that the Kistlers have larger framed guides and bigger thread wraps, thus, more epoxy. So much for your theory that they use the bare minimun to make their rods light.  

Wow! You sound like a real pro!  :  What Fuji real seats are you comparing them to? I go to Mudhole all the time. I've been in their warehouse.

As far as more thread goes... it means nothing but more weight! I was talking about lite build epoxy vs high build. not lite on the epoxy! I meant they use lite epoxy to keep the rods lite. Not that they don't use enough. Nothing really wrong with that unless you're fighting really big fish (Snook, Reds, ETC)

Standard Pac Bay reel seat at Mud hole: Your Price: $3.05 $5.75

Standard Fuji reel seat at Mud hole: Your Price: $4.52 $6.58

Maybe you need to do a little more research!

Oh, and what size guides do the Kistlers have? Give me the specs please. I know they use low profile guides to reduce weight as well. I think you really have misunderstood my point. I was pointing out that anyone can build a lite rod using lite components.

1 more thing... Pac Bay makes some decent stuff! I prefer Fuji, but Pac Bay is not junk!

Your prices are off because you are not comparing the same models. You compared fuji exposed to pac bay non-exposed reel seat. However, if you compare like models - exposed reel seat vs exposed reel seat, then you will see Fuji cost less. Here is a direct copy and paste from www.mudhole.com (comparing like models)

Fuji ECSM Reel Seat: Your Price: $3.84 $5.27

Pac Bay Exposed Blank Reel Seat: Your Price: $4.94 $5.76

Bottomline is- if you don't like Kistler that is fine, don't buy their rods! But if you don't like Kistler, you shouldn't say they use cheap components when actually they do not. Kistler makes some fine rods, haven't you seen the pics of all those hogs Lightninrod AKA Dan has caught with his Kistlers?  

I certainly hope no one reading this thread makes a buying decision based on all the hear say, slander and BS that's written in this thread.  

And no, I have never owned a Kistler product.

Your prices are off because you are not comparing the same models. You compared fuji exposed to pac bay non-exposed reel seat. However, if you compare like models - exposed reel seat vs exposed reel seat, then you will see Fuji cost less. Here is a direct copy and paste from www.mudhole.com (comparing like models)

Fuji ECSM Reel Seat: Your Price: $3.84 $5.27

Pac Bay Exposed Blank Reel Seat: Your Price: $4.94 $5.76

Bottomline is- if you don't like Kistler that is fine, don't buy their rods! But if you don't like Kistler, you shouldn't say they use cheap components when actually they do not. Kistler makes some fine rods, haven't you seen the pics of all those hogs Lightninrod AKA Dan has caught with his Kistlers?  

No. You're still wrong. I compared 2 of the same types. Fuji doesn't list a exposed reel seat in their deluxe line on the Mudhole site for some reason. I compared 2 standard reel seats. There is a difference. Besides, I said said I didn't have a problem with Pac Bay. I just prefer Fuji.

As far as people catching hogs with them. I've seen people catch hogs on Zebcos!

I think you're getting all worked up because you have Kistler rods and feel the need to defend them since you like them. More power to you. You speak your mind and I'll speak mine. The facts are that Kistler is only a rod builder! They don't make their own blanks like St Croix or Loomis or some of the others. The do what I do. Build rods using other peoples components! Those are the fact.

I certainly hope no one reading this thread makes a buying decision based on all the hear say, slander and BS that's written in this thread.  

And no, I have never owned a Kistler product.

Just so you know... I have only posted the facts. No BS here!

And for the note... You may have the cheapest POS rod in the world and never have a blank, guide or reel seat failure. No one said cheaper components won't work. It's just with rod building, you have your Lexus models and then you have your Kia models.

And no. I'm not comparing the Kistler to a Kia.

Jeez... now I'm gonna have all the people who drive Kia's mad at me! :-?

Lighten up, guys ...

I do not own and i will never own a Kistler product because Charlie Ingram and his "unpaid" advertisment show "Fishing University" (or something like that!?) praises so much the "Kistlers" and almost always the  guy in the back of the boat outfishes him !!!! ;D

BTW, I like how he holds his rod, straight up to the sky ...

Just go out and fish, whatever rods you own.  

Tight lines

...It's just with rod building, you have your Lexus models and then you have your Kia models.

Yes, I'm mildly familiar with rod building...

and still- "I certainly hope no one reading this thread makes a buying decision based on all the hear say, slander and BS that's written in this thread."

Kistler vs Tarpon:

OK, here are the pictures of the 140lb. tarpon, I caught on the HE70TXHC. I did not get a good close up but I think you see the trouble I was in. The fish was landed.

 

No, that's not me.

10 lber on a Kistler Mag:

My PB, 9 lbs even, on one of my Heliums and a Matt's Baby Bass

And yes, they are light enough to float:

Dan

Excellent post Lightnin Rod!

Oh No!  Look what Dan started  ;D!  I love and respect ol' Dan, so this is somewhat light hearted, but my opinion is implying that a rod is great because it can reel in a big fish and not break will give the ugly stick/zebco 33 guys a field day!  They could post pics of shark-sized catfish and carp they catch daily on those spin casters!  I just feel most any rod can reel in a big fish...they caught a 200+lb Tiger Shark with the pocket fisherman...I saw the infomercial (seriously...they did!).  

Oh No!  Look what Dan started  ;D!  I love and respect ol' Dan, so this is somewhat light hearted, but my opinion is implying that a rod is great because it can reel in a big fish and not break will give the ugly stick/zebco 33 guys a field day!  They could post pics of shark-sized catfish and carp they catch daily on those spin casters!  I just feel most any rod can reel in a big fish...they caught a 200+lb Tiger Shark with the pocket fisherman...I saw the infomercial (seriously...they did!).  

No problem TN.  I was just pointing out even though Heliums are light-in-weight, that can still handle big fish and not just Bass  Ugly sticks are not light-in-weight and yes, they too can bring in big fish but fishing with a Helium for hours at a time will not tire one out as much as some heavier rods will.

Btw, a well balanced rod will feel light-in-weight too......

Dan

Great pics Lightninrod.....specially the last one  ;D

I have a LTA and I'd rather fish with my GLX.

I have a LTA and I'd rather fish with my GLX.

Rather? ......... You do fish with the GLX and do very well with it.  

The reel seat on the LTA here won't tighten up on the Zillion and the rod isn't that sensitive anyway = Kistler retired.

G-Blanks are much better (recieved #3 today).

They are so light they float?

Dan, we have been through this before.  This is part of the old kistler hype that went along with their "best hook keeper" nonesense.

Yes, the rod will float for awhile with a TD-Z on it, but so will a Loomis.  I know because i have had one float away from me and just picked it up off of the surface.

Now please, let's get this settled once and for all.

I don't care how light or heavy something is when it comes to floatabilty.

Example.   An aircraft carrier is made of  thousands of tons of steel.   It floats.

a strand of flurocarbon line weighs a fraction of an ounce.  It sinks.

Dan, You are the consumate gentleman, and one of the finest people on the forums.

You have great experiences and enjoyment fishing Kistler rods. That, my friend is a powerfull endorsement.

These are even lighter than LTA's and much more sensitive.

The New & the Old .......... a couple of my combos (2 of 15)

(top: 6'10" Heavy/Fast G-Blanks 3.3 oz w/ Zillion 100SHA - Bottom: 6'10" MH/Fast G-Blanks 3.3 oz w/ TD-ito 103M. Both rods were built on Shikari Blanks)

As long as you are happy with what you have then nothing else matters.

for the record... a kistler helium II ltx weighs in at 3.1 ounces so g-blanks are not lighter

for the record... a kistler helium II ltx weighs in at 3.1 ounces so g-blanks are not lighter

That's their ltx 6'6" MH

I said LTA which is heavier than the G-Blanks ( There is one of both right here). Also $349 for the LTX compared to a G-Blanks which is built 1 at a time for $125 and as sensitive or more than the LTX is a bargin.

I catch quite a few big fish and pressure rods hard. The G-Blanks don't have the reel seat problems Kistler is famous for and they don't make noises when you have a big fish on the line. They are a much better rod than the LTA. I haven't tried a LTX yet and they may have fixed some of those problems for the extra $100 over the LTA.

for the record... a kistler helium II ltx weighs in at 3.1 ounces so g-blanks are not lighter

Keep in mind that Kistler uses someone elses blanks. Loomis makes their own (and they are awesome blanks might I add!). Anyone could make a rod as lite as the Kistler if they chose to! I'm not sure if Kistler still uses the Rainshadow blanks, but they are made by Batson or at least Batson carries them. I've looked through them before. I didn't care for them. I prefer St Croix, Lamiglass or Loomis blanks.

People want to argue about how good the Kistler copmponents are, yet, I always hear about reel seat problems, hook keeper problems, guide rings popping out, epoxy failure, ETC... These are the facts. If you have a Kistler that is a "good one" be happy for it! You are one of the lucky ones.  

We all have the right to chose what we like and what we don't. I have no problem with the people who like the Kistlers. I'm just pointing out some simple facts that some don't want to believe.

where are g-blanks made at, i can't find any info about them

where are g-blanks made at, i can't find any info about them

Tulsa, OK

http://www.imaginationbassin.com/gblanksproducts.htm

ls1jay - G. Loomis's brother bought out Shikari Blanks recently and that's the blanks G-Blanks uses also.