Site Designed & Copyrighted 2008
By Trista Reinke

Inside the Rod Locker

This month’s review is on one of the most important tools in your fishing arsenal, the casting rod.  The Kistler Helium 6’ 9” Medium Heavy All Purpose Casting Rod (He69MH APC) is hands down the most versatile rod on the market today.  If I had to pick only one rod to fish with for the rest of my life, this would without a doubt be the rod I would choose because of all the different techniques I can confidently cover.

The He69MH APC is a Medium Heavy rod with a slightly slower taper and weighs only 3.8 ounces.  It is rated for 10-17 lb line and a lure weight of 1/8 to 3/4 ounces. 

Personally, I use this rod for open water spinner-bait fishing, buzz-baits, spooks, soft plastic stick baits and lipless crank baits.  Since this rod has a slightly slower taper it allows the fish the ability to suck in those moving baits a little better because it gives a little more and believe me there is plenty of backbone to drive the hooks home and fight a fish back to the boat.  

On top of that, the sensitivity is outstanding.  I am able to feel even the smallest of spinner-bait blades thumping at the end of a long cast and with the absence of a cork fore grip (something standard on most other rods on the market toady) even the slightest bites on soft plastic stick baits radiate through the blank resulting in more bites realized by the angler and at the end of the day more fish in the boat. 

I give credit it for my top twenty finish out of 170 competitors while fishing the South Carolina State Federation tournament on Santee Cooper Reservoir in October 2007  

If you question the durability of this rod here is an 8.7 that fell victim to a lipless crankbait and a 6’9” APC in January of 2008. 

If you are nervous to spend the money on a high end you can’t go wrong with the He69MH APC due to the fact it can be used for so many applications making it worth every penny. To go directly to Kistler's website just click the logo below. Also, be sure to sign up for the Newsletter Membership List, as you could win a free Kistler Rod!

If you have any questions about the  He69MH or any of the Kistler line please feel free to contact me. 

Until next time “Good Luck and Keep on Fishing!”

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