Plan on throwing needles, darters and big wood. Going to use braid also. Prefer an 11' rod. I use an Arra-1322 in conventional now and love it. Any suggestions. Thanks.

Thats what I had before it broke :-(
Same set up... was a good blank....
balances well, used to throw 3oz comfortably...

Lamiglas is the only Graphite in 11' 1pc.
I would either go the XRA1322 or the GSB1321L if the wood is not over 4-1/2 over that in weight my choice would be the 1321M

GSB 1321M

i know you said 11', but i have my 250 on an allstar 1208 and i am building a 1201M for it now. the 1208 is a sweet match. i never felt the need for the extra 1'. if you are interested in a 10'er those are good.

I've got the 1208 wrapped conv. Fast action blank. One of my favorite rods, once you figure out how it loads.
Also the 1266 two pc 10.5 footer, moderate-fast action--great plugging rod, light, a joy to cast with.

I don't know hoot about VS, but the VS250 may be a touch too big for the 1266. This rod, also conv. I use a 6500. The 1208 I use a 7000 class reel, so as Toby said could be good.
Lamis are great rods and generally i think load up easier than the faster tapers found in All Stars?????????????

I fish my 250 on a 10' Arra 1205. Factory model (no longer produced as a finished rod :( ).

The factory guides are Pacs and the spacings suck, but in time I'll do a re-wrap on it.

The 10' 120 1M is another good choice.

If you want to go up to 11', I'd go with the 1322 Arra or the 132 1M for those plugs, depending on how heavy the darters and needles are. Under 2 oz, the 1L is better than the 1M.

Thanks for all the comments. I have the 1208 wrapped in conventional but it hardly gets used since I got my 1322 Arra. I will throw lures from 2-4 ounces and occasionally over 4 ounces. I really like the length of the 11-footers and will probably look at the 1322 and 132 1M. Anyone ever use both these rods and able to give any comparisons between the two like which will fight a big fish better? Thanks again for all the comments.

this is more of a "what do you really want" question. you've seemed to answer you own question by saying you want an 11' rod. go for it. also, you normally don't match a reel to a blank, but the line used and type of reel design to a set of guides.

1321m is a slightly more durable blank from the 1322 and it is also a slightly more moderate action blank. the arra will feel "tighter" and because of that maybe more powerful. either one will do your needs. arra is more expensive too.

An Allstar 1267/2 would be good.

not anti-graphite by any means but I did a bsb1362F with 12 inches cut off butt for the Vs 250 and throwing 3 or 4 oz is great.Used hardaloy blvsg guides but it was for mono not braid.Have been told there is a problem with the braids(especially Spectra) wearing grooves in hardaloy.would like to know if anyone is seeing this as a problem.

Originally posted by Bawana
Have been told there is a problem with the braids(especially Spectra) wearing grooves in hardaloy.would like to know if anyone is seeing this as a problem. i have been using braid about 90% of the time on spinnig outfits for the past 3 - 4 seasons. not a single groove yet. i don't think it is an issue on fuji guides. all people that i have heard that from use pac bays or older fujis.

I saw it on a couple sets of hardaloys.What braid and Test are you usingand how much of it fits on the VS-250.I use mostly 15or 20 ande pink with some grey but havent wanted to go to 50 lb braid with the diameter of 20 only to give fish a chance.

65# whiplash and stealth. you can put the whole 300yds on plus a good couple of hundred feet of backing. go ahead, try to spool me!

got a breakaway- allstar 1266 and love it with my 250.

Anyd, I'll let you borrow my zziplex to try if you want. It handles those weights fine and casts like a dream.

i know you said 11', but i have my 250 on an allstar 1208 and i am building a 1201M for it now. the 1208 is a sweet match. i never felt the need for the extra 1'. if you are interested in a 10'er those are good.

What Toby said. It's a beefy stick, especially suited for rockpile fishing.