.Texas Sidewinder,

"Our blanks are 98% graphite and are manufactured in the United States. We use chrome finished eyes with titanium oxide inserts for more durability on the Non-Glare series."

Straight flatfooted talk. Good.

As far as feel, well, that's a personal thing I guess.
I'll look at all the sites you kind folks have offered and look for statements like the one I found on Sidewinder's site.
Thanks & Tight Lines

The feel of the rods are something the user will have to decide upon. One guy may think the rod is great for a specific type fishing while the next guy has a completely different opinion on what he may use the rod for.

USA AFAIK...

Thanks, TexasSidewinder, for the backup. I thought I was sending along some true statements. I like the idea of being able to "Buy American" as much as possible; besides your rods come highly recommended.

I'll be ordering my rod as soon as my tax refund gets here.

BBrown you are welcome and I want to thank you for mentioning my product. I can vouch for your statements and they are all true. I also want to thank you for the kind words about the rods. They may not be for everyone, but there are several thousand fishermen, fisherwomen who think they are the rod of choice.

Trey Kistler sure did sound shady in his post on the TT. He kind of skipped around the question. When I first started thinking of getting one, the first two things I liked the most were, 1) they are made in Texas, and 2) they are a Christian run company. Not that there is anything wrong with companies that dont have these qualities, but it would make me feel a little better about shelling out $350 for a rod. I feel that if you make a big deal about your religous belifes on your web site, then skip around the truth the way Kistler seems to be doing, that is pretty shady in my book. They may be the best rod on the market, but I think I will stick to companies that are a little more truthful about thier product. I did call Kistler and the blanks are definatelly not made in Texas, (is that not 90% of the rod anyway?). Just my opinion.

Tough to compete against this $120 Chinese made rod. Top quality components throughout. Backed by an American cooperation. At least I think their American. Hard to tell who the hell owns them these days. Rumor has it that Loomis is owned by Shimano. Maybe someone can dispel that rumor.

What's worse an American company making their **** overseas or a foreign company making it here but taking the profits home?



Remember when all the 'junk' was made in Japan? Now Japan makes the 'good junk'

Hello friends I heard from St. Croix on where they are made "The majority of our rods are manufactured right here in park Wisconsin. We have introduced a couple of fly rods, a spinning and casting rods that are designed by st. Croix, built using manufacturing processes, in china. They are our lowest price compete in price market. The company that is building the rods for us is not building any other rods. We use Fuji reel seats, and on most series, Fuji guides." Dan Levra St. Croix. Hope this helps! most rod companies are the same way. Custom rod companies can offer you the choice of were the componets are made. There is a company American Tackle that claim to build all componets in the us. They do have a large line. I found this out when I talked to Fisher Mike you can check him out, he can answer most questions for you. www.fishermike.com

Yes Shimano ownes G-Loomis. They built a rod for Shimano when they first baught them out and called it a shimano rod, but the feedback was swift and harsh. The reps were telling them it was not a shimano rod, but a G-Loomis with shimano name, so they discontinued that and have left G-Loomis alone ever sence.

G-Loomis Rods are msde in the USA www.gloomis.com you can se the history. Some of the componets are not made in the us.

"they are a Christian run company" What does it matter????? I could care less if it is a christian run company, if you put out a good product, what does it matter what your religous preference is..lol.. I see this **** all the time and really, what does it matter? There was some guy in the wanted adds claiming to be a christian handyman, SO WHAT. Might as well sell yourself as the Jewish Carpenter!!!!?????....
Sorry for going off but that is just wild that someone would use that as a selling point. That alone would keep me from buying a kistler, that and the big round cork on some of the handles.

PiePuncher, couldn't agree with you more. what does religious preference have to do with making quality rods. i can't believe someone would use religion to justify a purchase; not that you should feel obligated to justify it......what an easy sell. i suppose you would get more out of this forum if it read something like "the best place in texas for christians to talk fishing".

I was not looking for any reason to "justify" any purchase. That is something that means something to ME, it doesn't have to mean anything to you. That is just my opinion. Like I said there is nothing wrong with a company that isn't based in Texas or Christian owned, those are just two things I like to support, and am proud of. Just like being an American.

Sounds like you have a problem that I have a religous belife ? Can I not give my opinion like everyone else on the forum ?

Brandon

I build my high end rods with american made blanks but my average rod are with imported blanks because I get good quality blanks and can offer reasonable prices. My american made blanks are expensive but because of american carbon/grafite technology they are unbeatable in strength, weight, and sensativity
Pyle's Fishin Sticks
bassin@ev1.net

Bassin, do you have a website? I have a G loomis 6'3" spinnerbait rod, that I would like to have about two inches added to, split rear grip done, and cutting down the forward grip. Do you do these type modifications? If so let me know.

Thanks, Brandon.