I spoke with Ron Arra this weekend at he Mass Bass show regarding two rods I have some interest in. I am interested in the XSRA 108-4 rated for 1-4oz and is 9' or the XSRA 1204 which is rated for 3/4 to 2.5 oz and is 10'. Guys who use these what is more important the versatility of the 1-4 oz 1084 or the extra foot in the 1204. I am looking for a well rounded rod to match to my Van Stall 250 and can serve its duties well throwing bucktails, big wood or snakes?

Of course ron only told ya about the rods with his name on them . He did not tell ya about the rods out there for 1/2 the price and as good of quality like Rainshadow. Do a search and see what is out there you will be surprised

I dunno, I think the 1204 is plenty versatile. I throw almost everything on it, from 3/4 oz up to 3 oz. I prefer moderate, or moderate/fast, taper rods over fast taper ones.

The VS 250 will be a better fit on a 10' rod, also.

I agree mike it is hard to beat the 1204.
I souuld have specified, there is a lot more out there compared to to the 1084

Originally posted by Striperhound
I am looking for a well rounded rod to match to my Van Stall 250 and can serve its duties well throwing bucktails, big wood or snakes? [/B]
Just guessing here as I don't own any Arra rods, but wouldn't the 1205 be better suited for this application?

-spence

I have both the 1204 and 1205. The 1204 is enough rod for most beach fishing I can think of. If I was going to toss the biggest wood on it, I wouldn't go with a balls-to-the-wall cast, as it's rated for 2-1/2 oz at the upper end. But it does fine with 3 oz.

If you're talking about the Canal and jigs of 4-5 oz as well as big wood there (3-1/2 or 4 oz pencils, the biggest Polarises, etc) then I'd vote for the 1205. It's not the rod for small Bombers.

I like the 9' Batson blanks, but I've never been a big fan of the 10' ones--whether Batson, Pac Bay or even the original Sabres. All Star's 10' blanks have a more moderate/fast taper and beefier tip sections. The new SU series of Batsons should be identical to the All Star line.

It's really hard to find one rod that'll cover all your plugging bases. I haven't had the chance to cast the Arra 1084 yet. But asking a rod to cast a 3-1/2 oz Danny as well as it casts a 7/8 oz Bomber is a tall order. The 1204 comes as close as any rod I ever tried--just remember, big metal lips swimmers don't cast well in any event, so don't try to drive a cast on a big Danny when using the 1204. It won't break if you use a nice easy cast and let the flex of the rod do the work.

Have 6" cut off the butt of a 1204. Now you have plenty for 3 ounces and a happy medium length. Mine is set up conventional and I love it.

Thanks Mass Bass members for doing a great job ! helping me and everybody with there tackle and the hospitality was excellent. The show was so much fun meeting so many good people whom love to fish and want to get into the sport. I had most of the new 2004 model Lamiglas surf rods for people to see and feel, including the whole new line of Lamiglas Surf King Series Rods, that retail from $110.00 to $130.00 . It was a plus to have saltwater lure collector Ed Poore attending my booth to show his ultimate collection of rare Stan Gibbs lures, which was a tribute to the master lure maker, surf fisherman that recently passed away. Thanks Again

Thanks for coming Ron, MSBA always happy to see you at the show. :) Just so you know Ron, I am the big guy that was running the show at the back entrance, glad all went well for you and you enjoyed yourself.:btu:

I have got the Ron Arra 1205, and I love it. I use it primarily for tossing my slimeys at night, handles fish quite nicely.:uhuh:

Big Fish, Thanks for your help.

If it were my choice, I'd go with the 1204 no question.

big fish try eels with the 1204
I still want a 1321 or that stick Big Dave showed Me:confused:
there is a ton of blanks out there that are pissa.
I have a grey lami blank I bought in 97 I think and it is an awsome rod for eeling and needleing.
If You want a 9' stick ,,1 foot off a 1204 is a good choice
I been whomping on the 1088 9' rods batson and its a pissa stick
a 120 1L is a balls to the wall stick in the 10' class
the options are endless

Bassmaster, You need a 1205.

Your going to drill Me till I buy one aint You.
Dunno I have the 1209 and there aint nothing that will lift like that that I have seen Yet
Maybe the 1205 would be good for big wood.
I got so many sticks whats a few more:D

XRA1321
6 inches off the tip-excellent all around rod:btu: :btu: :btu:

Ron, this is Joe Tien here, a deaf kid you met at MSBA. I checked out the 9' ft RA surf rod 1 piece mod/fast action and it felt great. I was thinking if I could use it for the beach and esuarie, flat applications with plugs, plastics, and eels (?). It costs $320, right? What reel would you recommend to match that rod?

Nataro, Good meeting you at the show...The model rod you looked at was the XSRA 1084 9' one piece, rated 1- 4oz lures.....designed for lures and live eel fishing, with its optimum casting performance at 1 to 3oz lures. The retail cost will be anywhere from $320.00 to $277.00....I have the VS 200 on my rod with 30lb Power Pro braid and there are other reels such as the Penn 5500 SS or 6500 SS that will do fine.

bucktails come in sizes from1/2 to 5 OZ , big wood can be a huge Danny at 3 OZ or a big pencil popper at 4.5 OZ. The best clue we were given is snakes. they are typically close to 3 OZ . I think based on the limited description of the application , the 1205 would be the better of the XRA's but you want do well on the lighter stuff. . For real versatility that incluges the lower weight range , the GSb 120 1 L would be the best choice.

mike P
next time I see you and I have my 1084 you can cast it to your hearts delite

The 1205 is a nice rod for almost most applications but the 132-2 is also nice . mine is conventional . but the 1201L is a damn good choice . I have a spinner and a conventional thats how much I like that blank . but then again I use it for fishing for blue gills .

For the record Notaro!!

MikeCC sells the XSRA 1084 9' for $200!

For $320 you could probably get the 1084 blank built custom using some pretty nice components and some fancy buttwrap.


Russ

Yo Russ, how are ya?
That's a great deal.

Bud8fan, The Lamiglas XSRA 1084 9' is a finish factory spinning rod. The XRA 1084 is a blank, that needs to be custom built, so I am presuming the price you mentioned is the blank only. I Just want to smooth things out so surfcasters don't get misinformed about price. Thanks

Notaro, as you're still a student on a budget AND you're trying to outfit yourself with fishing gear, go the rainshadow route for now. You can always get an XRA later. For right now, with your budget, you can get a pretty good stick, decent reel, and a bunch of plugs. Also, as you are just easing into runnign with custom stuff, you want something that can take more of a beating and is a little more forgiving. Not knocking the Lamis (I have a 1205 that I like) but right now, with you in school, you need to get the most mileage you can...

Ron,
The $200 price I mentioned is the factory finished rod price at Mike's place.

His price on the blank only is $140.

Originally posted by JohnR
Notaro, as you're still a student on a budget AND you're trying to outfit yourself with fishing gear, go the rainshadow route for now. You can always get an XRA later. For right now, with your budget, you can get a pretty good stick, decent reel, and a bunch of plugs. Also, as you are just easing into runnign with custom stuff, you want something that can take more of a beating and is a little more forgiving. Not knocking the Lamis (I have a 1205 that I like) but right now, with you in school, you need to get the most mileage you can...

JohnR, I don't intend on buying that rod. Yeah, you are right about the buget. I still manage my spending well.