Fishing Rods

I am going to purchase two new baitcasting rods. One for crankbaits and the other for spinner baits. I have spent a couple weeks reading and conducting other research and have narrowed the companies down to St. Croix and Kistler. My dilema is that these seem to be two extraordinary companies dedicated to high quality equipment and excellent customer service.

I am hoping that some of you could provide me some feedback on the KCBCM7 for crankbaits and whether you would go with the KSBS69 or the KSBS66 for spinner baits and why? The other question that I had is if the KSBS69 and the KSBS66 could also be a satisfactory for worms?

I can get a specific worm rod at a later date and in-fact plan on making two more purchases in the spring, but for now the budget will only allow for two rod selections and I want to make the right ones. Any and all comments are welcomed and I appreciate your feedback.

TN

TN,

I own both the KCBCM7 and KSBS69. Both are great rods. The Composite cranker is surprisingly light and very sensitive. I have not given this rod a good workout yet, remnants of a couple of hurricances kinda ruined a couple of fishing weekends. This rod will get a good workout this weekend though. i will report back after this weekends fishing trip.

The 6'9" spinnerbait special is a great SB rod. Again, surprisingly light and very sensitive. I think it is more sensitive than the Avid baitcaster i used to throw spinnerbaits with. It is my primary SB rod. As to throwing plastics with this rod - I have not tried it but I think it should handle most texas rigged plastics in light to med cover. Actually, I think this rod makes a great all-around rod.

Mike

Koyak and sdesign,

Thank you for your comments. There seems to be so many good choices. Based on my research I am now a owner of two new Kistler Rods. I just purchased the KCBCM7 and the KSBS69 and in the spring, I will take your advice and get the Helium for worms. I look forward to getting them. Next weekend will be the first try at Parksville lake in Southeast TN and in two weeks after that I am heading to Dale Hollow, TN. Wish me luck.

If either of you are ever in Nashville over a weekend and interested in some TN Bass fishing, just zip me an e-mail at scott_f1@msn.com. Also, I will be back with reports and to read some more great comments from the experienced ones. Thanks again!

Scott

TN,

I own three Heliums in addition to the Graphite Plus rods. The Heliums are better rods, but you are not giving up much purchasing the Graphite Plus series. I own St Croix Avids and Premiers, A couple of G-Loomis Gl2 and Gl3's, and an All-Star IM10X. IMHO, the Graphite Plus series is, dollar for dollar, the best rods out there. Enjoy those rods! Out of curiosity, what reels will you be putting on the rods?

I hope you catch some BIG Bronzebacks in Dale Hollow

Mike

Scott,

We just received your rod order. I happened to see your post and order so I wanted to comment.

Your rods just went out to the shipping department and should show up on your doorstep on Tuesday PM.

I appreciate your decision to try two of our rods out right away. I'm sure you will be pleased with your choices. It looks like all the other guys think like we do on their rod selections.

Enjoy you new toys and we wish you much success next month on the water.

Trey Kistler

sdesign wrote:

Koyak wrote: Out of curiosity, what reels will you be putting on the rods?

KOYAK!!! You Tackle Sythe You!!!

SD, isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?

Koyak,

I sensed a sale. Seriously, if you have a recommendation, I would be happy to hear it. I use to fish more often, but have not in the last eight years. I decided to get back into it and this purchase was the first phase of purchasing higher-end gear. I wanted to start with premium crankbait and spinnerbait rods and then move to a worm, jig, flipping, etc.

By the way, I need to know what your commission on the reels are?

TN

Looks like I am late to the party. Grats on your purchase, you WILL be pleased with the rods. I Fish the Crankbait 7' rod a lot and have been very pleased. On the spinnerbait side I use a Helium HE66MH, it just works better for me personally. For your first Helium, I would suggest the HE69APC. That baby is the counsumate do-all stick in the Kistler line. I have found nothing it does not do well!! Again, welcome to the family and enjoy the new toys. One more thing, watch that SD guy...he can be a very bad influence. If he mentions a HE76HC run the other way.

On a more serious note, for reel choices, consider a Shimano 1000 Scorpion. That one is a real sleeper....a lot of reel for the money. I own 3 of them and they are all on Kistler Heliums.

TN,

These guys are a Riot! and they are a great bunch.

THere are a lot great reels out there. When it comes to reels, I have no brand loyalties. For reel recommendations, I defer to others. But be warned that their recommendations may have you taking out a second ( - - blocked - - ) to purchase your reels .

If you haven't, check out Tackletour.com tackle reviews and the Tackletour forum. the reviews are first rate and a lot of these guys participate in that forum.

Welcome back to wonderful world of fishing!

Mike

I gave the composite crankbait rod a pretty good workout this weekend. that is one sensitive rod. paired the rod with Quatum Energy PT and florocarbon line. used bandit 100 series, rapala dt10 and bandit deep flatmax with this rod. I could feel every wobble of the lure and it was almost too easy to tell when the lure bumps into something. Fishing was horrible - the runoffs from Hurricane Ivan created muddy water and a lot of floating debris. I am really looking forward to using this rod when conditions improve.

Mike

Koyak,

Sorry to hear about the poor fishing conditions. I have some ( - - blocked - - ) that live in Hollywood, FL and for their sake, your sake and the sake of all the folks on the Southeastern U.S. coasts, there will be no more hurricanes. I have managed to sqeeze in an outing this coming weekend. It is Ocoee 1 and a deep lake, so I am planning on putting the cranking stick to work. I'll let you know the results.

I hope the weather clears up soon and you get an opportunity to get back out there.

Scott

Lots of rain poured into Parksville Lake, TN over the last couple of weeks. Very clear lake is very dirty, very few bites, two bites and the Graphite Spinnerbait Casting Rods hauls both of them in. First time I used these rods and the Crankbait Series worked wonderfully, but the two 2lb fish biting wanted a spinnerbait and they got it.

Thanks Kistler!

Tennessee