Which Helium?

[aphillip]

Which 7'6 Helium rod should I buy? I want a one piece rod to be used for pitching and flipping around brush, timber, docks pads, grass etc. I like to pitch 1/4 to 3/4 oz. plastics and jigs.
I like the action of my IMX 844 and would like something similar. Nothing lighter, the same or a little heavier. I don't know if I should buy the 7'6 HC or 7'6 EHC. Please help. Thank you
Aphillip

[Lightninrod]

I have both and I would go with the HC for pitchin' and flippin'. The EHC is better for swimbaits and C-riggin'.

And, "Welcome" to the forum and if this is your first Helium LTA, you will be amazed. When you need a lighter action rod, get you one of the 7', Medium Casters. What a great topwater, cr/bait, jerkbait, and spinnerbait rod. I have three .

Dan

[TTCal]

aphillip, welcome to the forum!!

I echo Lightninrod's sentiment... get the He76HC.

I have the MBR884X GLX and I've been telling people familiar with that rod, that the He76HC is almost the exact same rod except with an extra 6" of length and a slightly softer tip. It is my favorite Kistler Helium followed closely by the He69APC and then the He70MC.

I use it for flipping and pitching senko's, ika's, sweet beavers, and jigs and I have another for throwing frogs and horny toads. It's a fantastic rod and super super light for a flipping stick.

SD

[swelbo1]

I would recommend a 7'0'' heavy or even the extra heavy if you didn't want the 7'6'' length. The extra heavy is not to stiff of a rod but you could use it for pitching or flipping or texas rigs or carolina rigs. They are truely an awesome rod.

[Ezcue]

(after a good brainwashing from SD) I would have to go with the HE76C.

Seriously, to many people on this forum have used them and had nothing but good things to say about that one. It is in my sights as my next LTA purchase. The reel is on the way ( Thanks SD).

[TTCal]

no prob EZcue.... which reels are going on which rods then?

[Ezcue]

UUUGGGHHHH! Excellent question. The scorpion 1001will reside on the HE70MC for its initial shake down run. I will probably saddle the TD-S103..(whatever the rst of the numbers are) on the HE69APC ( I have found that rod to be a superb test platform for really leggin out a reel)until I decide if I want it to be a dedicated pitch/flip rig. I have a sneaking suspicion that it will remain right there and I will be taking that other burgundy Scorpion/castaic off your hands to go on a (drum roll please) HE76C. After I have recovered financially of course. My wife says I am obsessive/compulsive...I have no idea what she means. Sure she is a degreed psycology/CJ major but what does she know.

I need to buy something,MUAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

[TTCal]

Ez,

The Scorpion 1001 will go fantastically on the He70MC - perfect combo, no need to mess with it beyond there.

If you like the TD-S 103HL enough to leave it on the He69APC, my recommendation would be just to get another to go on the He76HC because personally, I think it's a better reel than the Quickfire and it's certainly less expensive giving you more money to spend towards that He76HC or even more Kistler rods... the He70MHC is another fine rod by the way... LMAO!

[Ezcue]

Easy killer. I meant the HE76HC above. And thanks for the advice on the reel. That is probably exactly how it will go down at the end of the month. Just need to be sure on the TD, never actually held one so I want to be sure before I put another one in the stable.

[TTCal]

Dude... your deal is done on the He76HC. I'm already working on your NEXT next Helium... LOL

[chavez]

[TTCal]

Chavez,

I'd do that except, after you guys buy that rod, then I'd have to change it to another so I can keep the cycle going...

SD

[Kistler1]

Alright guys, here is the deal. Why don't you all come down to the store and bring your reels with you? You can put your reels on all of the rods and tell me what you think. I think it would be interesting. Then we could go test your ideas. I was also wondering what is your ideal rod for chug bug type of baits and rouges.
keep the answers coming

[Ezcue]

Man, that would be great...except I don't think my bank account could survive a trip to the factory . I can only imagine how long I would be sweeping floors to cover my bill on a trip like that.....

I know I am going to take much verbal abuse on this but here it goes. IMO, the best rod for chug bugs is the 6"6" crankin composite. I fish a lot of very dense, woodsy cover and the 6"6" with the shorter handle allows for pin-point casting. The tip is soft enough to allow the bug to work while the graphite in the spine is stiff enough to horse any unfortunate victims out of the sticks.

On the rogue, for me, it is to close to call. The HE70MC is hard to beat!!

[TTCal]

Cliff... what an offer!!! lol... wish i was close enough to take you up on it!

I call the chug bug type baits poppers... I used to prefer short rods for this - even down the 5'6" length, because it's easier to work the bait. Trouble is, with a rod that short, you can't get a lot of distance in the cast. With some practice, though, I've figured out how to work these baits with longer rods.

With that said, I think any of your medium weight rods work well for these baits - including the He76MC. It's just a matter of what length one is comfortable working. Your M rods have a soft enough tip for me to work these baits.

As for the Rogues... jerkbaits aren't quite in my arsenal though I do have many of the baits, so I'll defer to others on this technique.