Glide baits have become one of the most popular lures for catching monster bass in recent years. While these lures are still somewhat new, the engineers and design experts at Kistler Rods have been hard-at-work, developing the best glide bait rod they could based on some key characteristics related to glide bait fishing. 

A glide bait is a hard-plastic, jointed swimbait that is typically used in somewhat clear water conditions to entice big bass to strike based purely on visual presentation. These lures are often very large and vastly different from anything else anglers are used to in many respects. 

Keep reading to learn more about what sets the Kistler KLX Glide Bait Rod apart from the competition, explore the rod's development process, and understand the meticulous choices behind the components that make it the top choice for glide bait aficionados. 

Development and Design 

The journey of the Kistler KLX Glide Bait Fishing Rod begins with Kistler’s drive to produce technique-specific fishing rods for a wide variety of bait styles. Kistler, renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship in high-quality custom fishing rods, embarked on a mission to create a rod tailored for the unique demands of glide baits. 

Trey Kistler and his team worked with some of the fishing community’s most accomplished glide bait connoisseurs to develop what they envisioned as ‘the perfect glide bait rod.’ The rod's length, action and power are carefully calibrated to provide the optimal balance needed to cast and control these larger-than-life lures. 

The result is a rod that delivers exceptional sensitivity, power, and responsiveness – all of which are crucial elements for successfully working glide baits through the water and landing those giant fish once they bite. 

Key Features 

Specialized Length and Action

The Kistler KLX Glide Bait Fishing Rod comes in a 7'3'' length, which is considered ideal for anglers that are of average height. Kistler specializes in crafting custom rods and their team often creates longer or shorter versions of this rod based on the specific needs of each angler. 

This longer, 7’3” length gives anglers plenty of casting distance covering vast sections of water or launching the bait near far-reaching cover. According to most glide bait experts, the best presentation for this type of lure is a methodical back-and-forth motion that will appear to be a small fish working its way through the water. 

The KLX Rod’s moderate to fast action of the rod ensures a perfect blend of flexibility and power to apply lifelike movements to the glide bait. Glide baits have large treble hooks on them, which means a moderate-fast action rod is typically the best choice for controlling the lure’s movements.  

High-Modulus Graphite Construction

At the core of the KLX Glide Bait Rod is a high-modulus graphite blank that defines its lightweight, yet powerful character. Kistler wanted the rod to have the right amount of power and strength to handle trophy-sized fish, but not the heavy weight that is usually associated with rods designed for extra-large lures. 

The brand’s carefully selected graphite material gives the rod extra sensitivity, enabling anglers to detect subtle bites and making it possible for anglers to know when they are getting the right kind of ‘walk-the-dog’ action on the glide bait. 

This high-modulus construction also gives the rod the strength needed to maintain pressure and absorb shock when dealing with the movements of a large fish. The KLX Glide Bait Rod makes sure the catch stays hooked, even during sharp turns and head-shakes that normally throw lures out of the fish’s mouth. 

Fuji K-Guides with Alconite Inserts

Kistler has a reputation for never sacrificing quality when crafting their rods, even in the smallest components. The team chose to use Fuji K-guides featuring Alconite inserts, which are not only lightweight but also offer exceptional durability and smooth line management for large, heavy lures. 

The reduction in friction provided by the Alconite inserts ensures longer casts and minimizes the risk of the line wearing down the material over the course of prolonged use. 

Custom-Designed Reel Seat

Kistler understands that a secure and comfortable connection between the rod and reel is key to the overall performance of both parts. The KLX Glide Bait Rod features a custom-designed reel seat that not only enhances the rod's aesthetics but also provides a snug fit for various types of reels. 

Split-Grip EVA Handles

When using glide baits, a rod's handle plays a pivotal role in an angler's ability to detect subtle movements, as well as control the fish once it strikes. The KLX Glide Bait Rod is equipped with split-grip EVA handles that are designed to offer a comfortable and secure grip. 

This lightweight and durable material further reduces the overall weight of the rod, contributing to a balanced and responsive fishing experience that is key to success when throwing large, heavy lures like the glide bait. A long handled-rod is essential for glide bait fishing as it allows anglers to make two-handed casts and get as much distance as possible. 

Anglers Agree: KLX is the Best Glide Bait Rod 

In the ever-evolving world of bass fishing, the Kistler KLX Glide Bait Fishing Rod stands out as a testament to the brand’s commitment to crafting the best technique-specific fishing rods. After developing the prototype, Kistler then conducted rigorous field testing and research to confirm that its design was exactly what serious anglers are looking for when it comes to fishing the glide bait method. 

Every aspect of the KLX Rod is designed to enhance the lure’s lifelike action, which translates to success on the water. With its 5-Year Bend Strong Warranty, the Kistler KLX Glide Bait Fishing Rod is an investment for anglers who are serious about the pursuit of trophy-sized fish using this wildly popular and effective technique. 

How to Fish a Glide Bait 

In order to provide you with the tools for success in using the KLX Glide Bait Rod, we’ve included some of the tried-and-true methods of fishing a glide bait that the pros and elite-level anglers use to land giant fish and take home the trophy at the end of a tournament. 

The Glide Bait is a Visual-Focused Technique 

Most anglers believe they need to create a distinct twitching motion when using a glide bait to entice a big fish to strike. This is not always true, however. The glide bait’s true strength is not in its ability to generate a feeding instinct in fish based on movement, but to drum-up a fish’s appetite based on visual appeal. 

Most glide baits are made to appear very lifelike, with even the most minute detail being included. According to professional anglers, the more realistically detailed a glide bait is, the more likely you are to catch big fish using it. Glide baits often perform best when fishing in clear water conditions. 

Remember that a simple back-and-forth motion will usually do the trick. After all, it’s called a ‘glide bait’ due to the fact that the objective is to make the lure ‘glide’ through the water using its large, jointed body. 

Use Fluorocarbon Line 

In order to get the right motion and keep the glide bait in the strike zone, be sure to use fluorocarbon line. Anglers may want to fish with lighter or heavier pound test line based on the size of their glide bait and the species of fish they are targeting, but fluorocarbon line is known to sink much faster than monofilament and will give you the best chance to catch fish using this technique. 

When to Fish a Glide Bait

Glide baits are known to be effective throughout most of the year, but most avid anglers agree that they are especially useful in fall and spring, especially for bass fishing. Big fish will very often take advantage of the opportunity to devour a decent-sized meal, so never underestimate a glide bait’s ability to get strikes in any season. 

When it comes to bass fishing, the pre-spawn and post-spawn seasons are the best times to use a glide bait to catch massive bass. These lures have been used around the spawn to land plenty of double-digit fish and anglers have used them to win tournaments in the right conditions. 

Where to Fish a Glide Bait

Fishing with a glide bait is a very simple, straightforward venture. According to most experts, glide baits perform best in areas near, but not in cover. A good rule of thumb is to think of areas where you might throw a spinnerbait because a glide bait will also work very well in these scenarios – around docks, over brush piles, across points and similar areas.