Could any of you guys give me your thoughts and expertise on the differences in these rods. Bassfishing!!!Thanks

I have a rogue jr. swimbait and love it it is 7'9" and only weighs 4oz! I really dont like kistler at all I dont like not haveing a forgirp and dont really care for the rods at all the heliums are light but the custom series sucks because there very heavy! If your buying a rogue rod you are buying a very well priced rod w/ a custom feel if you buy a kistler you are simply buying a name!

I have 7 Kistlers right now, I love everyone of them. Ive used loomis, shimano, and falcon religously. funny how you say the california series/ graphite series are heavy. they are about the same as a GL3 loomis and 50.00 less. The heliums are very light and will be 10% lighter come june or july when the new models arrive. rogue makes a good rod but not great. how about customer service and warranty? Kistler customer service is 2nd to none and so is there LIFETIME warranty! If you want to check them out give me a shout and Ill show you All I know about a true quality, U.S. built rod with an excellent support staff. these rods are very strong and not brittle like loomis IMX/GLX models. check their web @www.kistlerrods.com and post any questions on their forum or talk to Clifford Wiedman and tell them Derrick sent you. you wont regret it I promise.:7

Exactly what Derrick said in fact, I too have 7 Heliums.

Now I can't do the comparison to a Rogue as I've never held or used one. I bought my first Helium(their 7', Medium Caster) in Sept. of 2003, sight-unseen. After fishing with it, I immediately bought my second one. If you throw T or C-rigged soft-plastic bait, the Kistler hook-holder is a worth-while feature as it allows for holding the rigged hook without removing the hook point from the bait, keeping less wear and tear in the bait.

Dan

I'm another Kistler fan! 5 of them and slowly converting all the others. They are very light and sensitive. I personally like not having the cork foregrip. It's more comfortable to place my finger directly on the blank.

I do think that the Helium series are rated a little heavier than they are. Meaning, if you normally use a 7' MH for whatever, check into a 7' H with the Helium. But that's just my opinion.

WHICH BAITS DO YOU THROW ON THAT ROD??? IS THE 9 IN SLAMMER TO BIG, RAGO RAT, ETC?

Swimbaits are the only thing I don't use my Kistler's for. I think Dan (Lightninrod) might throw a couple swimbaits with the Helium 7'6", you'll have to ask him.

I personally haven't found a Kistler that I feel can truly handle the 9" and bigger swimbaits.

Yes, I throw the 7" Slammer and other swimbaits with my 7', 6" Extra Heavy Caster Helium and so far, it's a good match. That same rod can be used for pitchin'/flippin' and C-rigging. No, it's not a 'swimbait-specific' rod but it works fine for me.

Dan

I am jumping on the Kistler band wagon. I had a Mark Tyler series and I loved it. It was just as light as my Loomis and had a great feel and finish. Kistler also replaced the rod with no questions asked when I broke it all I had to pay was for shiping. It was a sad for me when I donated it to the river gods. The only comment I have is that they are rated a little hevier than they actually are. my medium action felt more like a medium /light.

I have never owned any Rogue rods but I have looked at them in shops they seem to be well biult and would problbly be a quality rod. I had a great expierence with my Kistler and I will be buying one again in the future.

Kistler makes a great rod and I LOVE all three of mine. I do have to agree that the Heliums are rated a little soft.

Different strokes for different folks, I have only owned a cal. series and did not like it because it felt really un-balanced and heavy. I would have to say go and check both of them out and see for yourself!