helium for senkos

[sbtaylor]

Which helium LTAs would you recommend for:
senkos (5", 6") and light texas rigs
large yamamoto grubs (8" and 10"), spinnerbaits, light C-rig

My neck and shoulders tighten up after 4-5 hours of casting so I may try to replace a couple of my rods with heliums.

Thanks

[Lightninrod]

Welcome sbt!

I'll 'tackle' one of the recommendations; I'd get the 7', MC(Medium Caster) Helium for Senkos, light T-rigs, and spinnerbaits. I have three of those models and I also use them for topwater baits, cr/baits, and hard jerkbaits.

I just received an Extra Heavy(action--not weight ) 7', 6" Helium but I havn't been fishing yet. I plan to use it for pitching/flipping heavier jigs, swimbaits, and C-rigging.

I think you'll be truly amazed at how much the strain on your casting arm(and neck) is reduced compared to using a conventional rod. Be sure and let us know your experience with yours when you get it and.............be prepared to buy another one .

Dan

[kistlero]

I would have to agree with Dan. I would go with the He70MC. This rod has plenty of backbone but also sports a very nice soft tip to help work lighter lures.

I would also like to suggest the He69APC Med-Hvy. This rod will fish a little lighter weight and not work you out at all. It will perform great with lighter lure presentations and at the same time perform many other duties as well.

Either way you go, you will be happy and like Dan says...you will be back for another if money is not a problem.

I would suggest you get ahold of a Magnesium Reel either by Shimano or Diawa. These reels reduce the overall weight by at least 2 ounces over standard reels.

Good Luck!

Trey Kistler

[TTCal]

My first recommendation for the Senko's would be the He69APC - especially 4 and 5" senko's. My second recommendation, would be for the He76HC for Senko's 5" and over. I've used both of these rods for just this purpose and find they work fantasically. The He76HC will also work well for the grubs you described. Those are my thoughts.

[sbtaylor]

Could the he69APC handle the 8" and 10" yammy grubs? I primarily fish these on the surface as a buzz bait, with little or no additional weight. This is where my neck and shoulders get wore out the most - two hand casting deep into the pads. If this rod could do senkos and big yammy grubs, I just may have to pick one up. How does this rod compare to the Kistler Magnum Senko?

Thanks

[TTCal]

SBTaylor,

In my opinion, if you want to fish both the Senko and large grubs as you described, with one rod, I'd consider the He76HC. I know it sounds like a heavier rod because of the length, but really, this is one svelte stick! It is my current favorite among the Helium lineup with the He69APC being second... and by the way, I also have the:

He70MLC
He70MHC
He70MC
He76MC
He711HC

and maybe one or two others, so, i do speak from some experience. The He76HC is a VERY versatile rod and capable of handling both soft presentation of Senko's, along with heavy cover applications like the way you fish your grubs.... In addition, with the added length, you can pitch for a long distance with this rod, which will help relieve your casting soreness even further.

best of luck!

[kistlero]

I will have to say that he is right on about the He76HC being a great choice for what you want in a rod. It is just as light as the He69APC but will give you so much more when it comes to casting distance, hook set and leverage on the fish.

If you do not want such a long rod then go with the He69APC. It will perform fine for what you want to do. You will be happy with the casting qualities in this rod.

Trey

[sbtaylor]

Well, I was sitting on the fense about getting a helium until I went on a family trip to Gulf Breeze,FL, and stopped by a tackle store that carried Kistlers. They had Heliums, including the HE76HC. The price tag was list price, but it must have been a slow day, becuase they offered it to me for 15% off. So, long story short (and after the the requisite pleading to SWMBO) I bought it. They had a number of Heliums that were priced under list but the pressing need was for this one.

[TTCal]

hey SBTaylor... congrats! please let us know how the break in process goes!!!

[sbtaylor]

I caught a few with the the new rod today - one around 6.6 - 7lbs and another around 2lbs.
I was "roll trolling" a 10" yamamoto grub when the big one hit. It was the best fighting bass I have ever caught - It went completely airborne on one jump, looking more like a tarpon than a bass. It was 23 X 15 inches, but carried its girth throughout. By formula, it would have been about 6.5 ( I need to get a scale!) The Helium was amazing - coupled with braided, its almost too sensitive. Unfortunately for my bank account I am already looking into another Helium, something in the MH range.

[TTCal]

SBT,

Congrats! What a way to break in that rod - wow! Do you have any photo's?

MH range eh? Can't go wrong with either the He69APC or the He70MH. The APC will be a little more versatile of a rod for you than the He70MH - if that's important to you

SD

[Lightninrod]

Outstanding sb!

I caught this [-- login to view link --] 3 1/2 lber today using 'the' rod and a new spinnerbait. It will hit the market soon. It's called "Daddy Frank's Long Spinnerbait" as the hook's shank is about 3"(?) long. No trailer hook is needed. I also snagged a nice [-- login to view link --] Crappie with it too.

Dan

[TTCal]

Dan,

Nice fish on the 'longshank/helium/ito combo!!! I've yet to catch anything on my sample 'longshank but I haven't been back on a spinnerbait bite since I got it two weeks ago ...

SD

[Lightninrod]

SD: There were thunder-boomers all around there yesterday so the BP should have been low. There was some wind too so it seemed like a spinnerbait would be appropriate. I got several bumps from, I think, more Crappie. I also caught 3 or 4 2 lb Bass plus I lost(poor hookset?) 2 good-sized(3-4 lbs?) Bass on it too.

Dan

[TTCal]

Dan,

You lost a fish on the 'longshank? lol