I have several kistler rods that range from the cheapest ones they sell all the way up to helium ltx 2. I love the rods and have never had any problems with mine but everything I read everyone talks poorly of them or doesnt talk about them at all. I always hear about dobyns or g-loomis or st. croix. I dont understand why this is. Also I was wondering if anyone has the newer rod they came out with called the z-bone and is it worth the money? thanks

Kistler rods are amazing. I own one myself. From what I've gathered they werr frowned upon because of their customer service.

I have a Z bone and a helium and both are great rods for me. Never had an issue and a lot of my friends have been impressed with how light they are

Why Kistler gets knocked regularly:

• Expensive rods built with blanks from China (at least in the past)

• Refuses to do business with smaller local tackle shops.

• Problems with warranty work, and service.

• Poor bang for buck in terms of rod blank quality.



TFP

I've never had a problem with my kistlers. I've heard stories of them breaking on hook sets and swinging fish in the boat. I've never had to deal with their customer service but I'm sure if I had to and had a bad experience with them I wouldn't buy anymore rods from them. The warranty on the new z-bone rods seems a little crazy for such an expensive rod. I was just curious why peoples negatives about kistler rods out weigh the positives from everything I've read.

I had one and the tip broke off but that didn't happen until my partner shut the rod locker on it. I loved that rod.

Ive broke 2 kistlers and One of them was the most sensitive rod ive ever felt.there customer service was awsome.I would like to try the new z bone as well

The older kistlers also used batson guides in which the inserts would break or pop out way to easy.

Just for the record I personally have never had a problem with Kistler rods. Mainly because I gave the only one that I ever own to a youngster who was starting out fishing. I had gotten it at one of the Skeeter tournaments on Fork some years back for a very low price. I was not particularly fond of it so I let it go to someone that would get a whole lot more fun out of it that I would.

The point in my previous post are based on work of mouth that I’ve been privy to both here on the TFF, as well as in the tackle shop where I worked for over three and a half years. Along with conversations, etc. with other anglers here and there.

TFP

All Kistlers are not made in China some are made in the USA and they are looking at making more here. That being said I had a very bad experience with a Kistler about 4 years ago and swore I wouuld never have another one. The rod was immediatly replaced it was the fact I lost a money fish when it broke. I now have all Kistlers and I don't think there is a better rod made than the Z-Bone.

I take back my good comments about Kistler after I had a Magnesium Series snap in 3 places last night.

This might of been damaged in shipping, but how about a picture for reference. Snapped on the hookset.

Thats a nice 3 piece travel rod now.

I'll sell it to you for half price! :P Lol.

I had one a few years ago that snapped on a fish of a lifetime. I'm glad it did, I love my Loomis.

That is the reason I use falcon or Lamiglass custom rods USA rods.
Kistler started out using American rod blanks, now every thing is built in china.
The only exception is the Z-bone they use an American made rod blank.
The blank is then shipped to china for assemble then sold here.
The majority of chineez made product have no quality control.
Why buy chineez made junk?

Kistler Z-Bones are made in the USA the blanks are made in Gary Loomis's plant in Bainbridge Washington. They are working on a deal to make all their rods here. The Z-Bones are also assembled here.

I have a closet full of them, maybe 20+ rods from as far back as some 98-99 prototypes, Trey does make a good rod. However I won't be buying another one, I havent bought one in 5-6 years, IF I win one or someone give me one thats cool. But I can not/will not support the $350 a rod, rod business I don't care who's name is on it. Thats not saying I cant afford them I don't see the point it. IF you will pay it they will charge it, its business, simple as that. There are some really good rods out there for $99 that catch just as many fish and have better warranties.

Joe you are partial right the 2011 Z bone rod on a north fork blank and now assembled here in Texas.
The takle tour web site has another review on this subject.
Thank to kistler for no out sourceing their all of their rods.

yes when I was down there I saw Z-Bones having guides wrapped. I really think Trey will eventually get all his manufacturing here. I had people tell me Ardent reels weren't made here just assembeled here well after visiting the factory I know different about I saw the parts being machined on CNC equipment.

Well said, but number three is why I wont buy anymore

I was wanting to buy some his rods because they were all American made.
I did some reseach on line an foun nothin but horor stories.
Trey has runed his companies reputation.
It is easy to get a bad reputation and very hard to keep a good one!

I only broke one but it was one I got for getting someone to fish the Legend tournament that haden't fished it before. I broke it on hookset bad part was the fish jumped then and it was definately a money fish. I had no problem getting it replaced at all.

A texas based rod company making rods that cost in excess of $200 each should be making them here(blank included).Next thing is do away with Batson and Pac Bay products.Fuji guides and seats should be used on rods that cost this much.

I've had several since they came out with the LTAs (which I loved). I broke several all my fault and they always took care of me even though I manned up and told them waht happened. I payed the 35 dollars and received a new rod on 3 occassions ( around 2004-2005).Then I tried GLX, Dobyns, ST.croix,Megabass, Evergreen, Daiwa, and now I'm back to the Kistler Zbones which I love. I still own several of the other rods but my go to rods are the Zbones and a Shimano cumulus I just can't put down. Can't really say that these are more sensitive than the other rods I own, but they sure aren't any less sensitive. Thay are workhorses and I haven't had any issues with them so far.

My only two experiences with Kistler were a rod purchased at a Skeeter tournament. Both rods broke while fighting a fish, one during the same tournament in which it was purchased, (replaced by Kistler at the tournament) then the replacement rod broke within a year. Threw rod in the trash, not worth the cost or hassle to send it back for replacement.
Have not bought one since.

All my Kistlers with micros have Fuji.

I bought a kistler frog n slop special about 4 years ago. Dont get me wrong its a heavy rod but i fish horny toads and ribbits and have swung 5 lbers and bigger in the boat and never had any problem with the blank but it was made in the usa. i have had to get a couple of the guides replaced, but thats a cheap price to pay for all the memories that rod has given me.

Even with my pics, I would still give Kistler another shot. The place I bought it from told me to ship it back to them and they would send me a new one. I'm kind of glad that I'm getting another of the same rod because that Broomstick loved some giant swim baits and 1oz tungsten flippin' weights.

I broke my Kistler Skeeter rod this weekend casting a rat-l-trap. Before that, I had caught 2-3 fish total. I've got zero confidence in the Skeeter rod from the reports and if there's a chance they will not warranty the rod or give me another Skeeter rod I'm better off saving my gas money to drive up there. They are about 60 miles away from me.

Kind of frustrating. I will stick with Falcon Lowriders from Academy.

I picked up my first Kistler rod at the Skeeter tournament, and have been replacing my falcons ever since. The sensitivity and actions are great. Some people have a bad experience and I think they had some bad issues in the past. If you haven't tried their Helium micro series your short changing yourself!

I've been using Kistler LTA & LTX rods since 2009 and think they're great. No problems. This year I bought a Z-Bone and it is pricey but it is the best rod I've ever used.

A big +1 0n the Z-Bones I have 5 of them and think they are second to none. Check their website they have an awsome deal on a few now.

For a rod that is worth the money buy Power Tackle Rods.

won angler of the year in the south div bass champs with zbones.

I've had dozens of these rods from the low end to the high end. I love the Helium LTA's the best. I've only broken one magnesium in 4yrs of fishing them. Rods are all in personal preference but I recently carried a retired fireman fishing and he has nerve damage in his hands. He commented several times on how sensitive these rods were and how much he could feel with the Helium LTA's. I'm sold on them..I will mention that I also use a couple of Dobyns rods as well and their 705CB rod is hard to beat as well.

Z-Bones like Billy for me, I Fish Falcon, Choke, and Amistad almost exclusively and have never had any problems with Kistler rods. I have some Helium LTAs love them to, now they make them in micro guides just like my Z-Bones!

They have a very good reason for not selling to tackle shops. I have never had an issue with warrenty in fact the one I broke was a freebee and they replaced it right away. The Z-Bones are made here and they are working on makind them all here the overseas part should not be a problem to you as you use imported reels.

I've had the new z-bone for a year. It's the most sensitive rod I've ever owned. Slammed it in the tailgate of my truck and broke it in half this summer. Called their CS dept, told them what happened. They built me a new one for half price plus shipping. Had it in a week and was back fishing. I've got 1 helium and 2 mags that are great also. I can't say anything negative about their product or customer service.