Three US soldiers resting on an M1 Abrams tank in the desert during the Gulf War; Kistler founder Trey Kistler is the man on the right

About Kistler

Started by a Gulf War veteran in a Texas garage. Thirty-four years on, still veteran-owned, and still run from one small building in Magnolia, TX.

Our story

Born in a Texas garage

If his family name is going to be on it, it is going to be the best.

Trey Kistler — the man on the right of the photograph at the top of this page — served in the Gulf War aboard an M1 Abrams. When he came home he went to work with his father building fishing rods. When his dad retired, Trey decided to blaze his own trail — to make an exciting life for himself, his wife and four babies, to create some solid American jobs, and to catch as many fish as possible. So he set himself the task of making the best bass rod out there.

Thirty-four years later that is still the whole job, and the company is still veteran-owned. We build in America, in a small building in Magnolia, Texas, full of new ideas and full of our Kistler family. The best design, materials and components. The best service. The best feel and strength. Your best day on the water.

We do not sit on our laurels. We are restless — there is always a bigger fish to catch. So we push ourselves to test, to innovate, and to make your fishing better. Trey would not have it any other way.

History of Kistler Rods — part one
History of Kistler Rods — part one
The story behind the brand
Watch parts 2–5
34
Years building rods
Veteran
Owned · Gulf War
$6M+
Won by Team Kistler pros
Magnolia
Texas · home shop
Dedicated to making fishing great

Held to one standard

As happens in a lot of industries, the big guys get comfortable and stop innovating. That is where Kistler comes in. Since our inception we have made it our mission to push the industry by relentlessly innovating.

The carbon blanks come from elite partner factories that have met Trey’s standards for quality control, consistent action and durability — standards set by a man who spent his twenties depending on equipment that had to work. That is why the rod in your hand feels the way it does — and there is somebody in Magnolia who picks up the phone when it does not.

Inside the Kistler shop
Inside the Kistler shop
Wraps, finish and inspection, at the benches

Walk the benches with us: wraps, finish and inspection, in the building where it happens. If you are ever near Magnolia, come by and see it for yourself.

Watch the film
Veteran owned · Magnolia, TX

Every rod carries the Bend Strong warranty

Because the people who stand behind it are still here. Your rod is on file from the day you order it, so we have it when you need us.