helium vs. magnesium

[bart_catlett]

Which rod is better? Helium's or the Magnesium series? I can tell you from personal experience, the Heliums are definately lighter, have a better feel, and most important to me, they are more durable. I bought an 7-8 Magnesium earlier this year, and within a month i broke it. It was sent back and quickly replaced with another 7-8 Magnesium All Day FLippin' stick. Within 2 weeks i broke the replacement setting the hook on another fish in a bush. By now I just figured i was unlucky. lol. Clifford advised me to replace it with a 7-6 Helium series rod (7-6 THC). Since then I have been very satisfied. The Helium is twice the rod the magnesium was. I"ve set hook on 20 pound+ catfish (i can't help it they ate my tube. lol.) and the rod didn't budge. I now own 7 Kistler rods, all Heliums. The Heliums have been the reason i have won 3 tournaments this year. These are just local tournaments with no more than 40 boats. Fishing deep this time of year i use a Helium he70hc with a shimano chronarch 50 mg and 14 pound test line. the whole rig is less than a pound and i can feel the lightest bites in 20 feet of water. Great lightweight combo for someone.

Thanks to Clifford and Trey I know which rod to reach for now.

Thanks,
Bart

[nudepygmy]

Wow! I thought the main difference between the Helium and the Magnesium was the guides and the handle? Is the Magnesium blank a little heavier but the overall rod weight is about the same because of the split grip? Isn't the Magnesium got the Helium graphite mixed with Magnesium? Why would the Helium be stronger? Trey? Clifford? It would seem that the Magnesium should be equally as strong as the Helium. I have some of both.

[pool4pro]

I have had exactly the opposite luck.
I own 5 Kistler rods: 7'6" Heavy Helium, 6'9" MH Helium, 7' Composite cranking Magnesium, 7' Heavy Carolina rig Magnesiun , and 7' MH Senko Magnesium.
I broke the tip off just behind the 4th guide on the 7'6 the second time I used it, and I broke the 6'9" in half setting the hook on a rock while smallie fishing. I love both those rods and I did replace them but I have never had a single problem with any of my Mag's. The heliums are a little more sensitive but I actually like my Mag's better.

[bart_catlett]

Maybe i got a rare defect. i don't know but for whatever reason, the heliums have been the rod for me. fishing deep you need to feel the slightest change in your line. the heliums definately let me feel light pickups. i would like to try a 7 foot spinning helium for shaky heads and smaller baits on light line. i bet that would feel unreal.

[pool4pro]

The Mag Senko rod was actually my go to rod last year for smallie fishing. Up here in Sothern Minnesota smallies are usually the way to go. I don't usually fish super deep but a majority of the time I'm making extremely long casts and quite often in heavy current. Last year I never used more than 1/4oz jig and I never had a problem feeling bites, I don't say strikes because these smallies rarely do more than just pick up the bait. I know it's impossible to compare this rod to a Helium without having an identical setup with you but the Magnesium excedes my expectations in every way. I would like to get a 7' MH helium but I would have a hard time not just buying another Mag. The $50 difference does make a difference to me and my budget. The first 2 Kistlers I bought were Heliums but after buying the Mags I would have a hard time going back.