Sensitivity: Kistler's 2019 Zbone was among the more sensitive rods I've fished. The blend of blank and minimal build made for a very nice vintage. This new KC10 blank, as Kistler is referring to, has the potential to be very similar in feel. I hesitate to say they are the same because their respective power curves of the two sticks I've fished are different. The '19 ZB3LMH73 really straddled the mean between being medium and medium heavy powered, this Nit703LMH is more of a medium powered stick.

Checking out that taper

The lighter in power you go, the more sensitive a blank in that series is going to feel. For the purposes of this review, it's simply sufficient to state that the Nit703LMH has very good sensitivity - especially with this build and the hybrid guide train Kistler has decided to use.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Kistler Rods Nitranium Nit703LMH against the historical averages of medium, medium heavy, and heavy powered bass rods we've tested over the past twenty plus years

Power: As I just mentioned and as you can see in the deflection chart above, the Nit703LMH is really more on the medium side when it comes to power. In fact, according to the chart, it seems to lie more between medium light and medium, but this could also have to do with the slower taper. Out on the water, my impression of the stick was simply a medium powered rod with the way it handled the baits I tied on and also how it felt during ensuing battles.

The metallic blue guide wrap continues through the length of the stick

Design & Ergonomics: The Nit703LMH tipped our scales at just three point nine ounces (3.9oz). That's really nice for a factory build with a full rear handle. Adding to that good result is a build that is well balanced, so when matched up with a super light reel like my Abu Garcia Zenon MG-LTX, the entire combo takes very minimal effort to hold. This lighter grip on the combo allows you to feel more bites and of course, makes it easier to fish all day long without experiencing fatigue.

Kistler uses a composite cork material both as a highlight further up the grip and at the butt end

The hook keeper is by Kigan

Retail on the Nit703LMH is $547

Price & Applications: Unfortunately that combination of high end blank, light build, good sensitivity, hybrid guide train comes at a cost - a cost of $547 to be specific. Application wise, this particular build is a good general purpose tool for baits within its rated range. Due to its taper, I was leaning towards something for jerkbaits initially, but the Nit703LMH surprised me with its ability to support jigs and Ned rigs, so it is a very capable stick for a variety of techniques.

Conclusion: 2024 marks 25 years since Kistler Custom Rods started business. This year marks 21 years since I purchased my first Helium He69APC. I still remember the model number without having to look it up. That's how much of a mark the stick made in my memory. In fact, I still have one - somewhere. What I appreciate most about Kistler's product is their no nonsense builds. In fact, I was quite surprised to find a hybrid guide train on this stick. But in hindsight, if Kistler is to introduce a little nonsense anywhere, it's in the guides. That original Helium, after all, had guides with blue inserts. The difference with the Nitranium is, this hybrid guide train adds to the stick's performance.

The Nit703LM is a fun stick to fish and difficult to put down

Best of all, and I almost forgot to mention this, the guides are normal sized - not micro or semi-micro or anything super small - and still the Nit703LMH came in at under four ounces for the complete build. A build that is not only light and balanced but performs. For what more can you ask? After more than 25 years, Trey Kistler certainly knows how to put a stick together. Due to its cost, the Nitranium series may not be for everyone, but just be aware, if you have a chance to handle one, you may never put it down.

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