Fishing Rods

Hi

I am new to the forum and am considering buying my first Kistler.
We live here in Belize, C.A. and I will be coming to Chicago to visit family and intend to bring this rod (or two) back with me.

I have narrowed my choice (a spinning rod) to the MgAPMH66S


Action: Fast
Length: 6' 6"
Power: Medium-Heavy
Lure weight: 1/8 - 3/4 oz.
Line weight: 10 - 17 lb.
Handle length: 9"

Here is what I want to use it for:

A strong tip and medium/heavy or heavy power, fast action to fish off a boat for snook here in our Belize rivers. The fish are big and average from 10 to 25 lbs. so I need the tip power for striking and butt strength for fighting. As well we see the occasional tarpon to 70 lbs.

What we do is back bounce gently 3/4 oz. jig plastics off the bottom while drifting with the river current. The fish take lightly and spit out the jig almost instantaneously. One needs a very sensitive rod/tip to feel the take but also strong or stiff to strike the hook home quickly. I have had a problem with hooksetting on my current rig with a soft tip.

How do you think this rod will do for this?
I think that this is the heaviest rod that Kistler has in the Mag spinning line. I really wish they had a 'heavy power' in a spinning rod that I could put my heavier Penn Slammer 460 reel on for grouper or for those tarpon.

(I am using on the MgAPMH66S a Shimano Spheros 4000FB which is light but sports a new 20lb drag.)


Thanks for your advice...
and I'll hopefully be posting some of my fish on the board soon.

Mike

As far as the rod is concerned the Mag 6'6" will probably work for you. You need to be fishing powerpro or a similar braid in a 65 lb test if you are going after fish that large. You will not loose any feel from the rod and you will gain in hookset as the braid does not stretch. I use the Shimano Symetre and Sahara reels on my Mag's and Lta and they work great with the braid. I absolutely love the feel and action of my Mag rods.
Hope this helps.

Mag 6'6" will get the job done. I have never been blessed with the opportunity to fish for tarpon yet. But I have set the hook quiet a few bass over 10lbs on my Mag 6'6.
Hope this helps.

P.S. Good luck and God Bless