If you could get a 1201m or an Arra 1205, both for the same price which one would you choose?

Rod is going to be used primarily for eeling.

1201 m

1201m for sure.

I have both, the 1205 is just a bit too fast action for eeling.

I can cast plugs further with my 1205 but my 1201m is what I usually use most of time no matter what I'm doing these days.

1201 m is a better eeling stick the 1205 is to fast of a blank for eels.it can be done just 1201 better fits the bill.

1201L vs 1201M
why do you guys prefer the M?
it seems to me that for eeling 4-12 might be a bit heavy? and the 2-6 of the L would be more in the range of the majority of eels.

I agree with Nightprowler. The oz ratings are way off but I do think that the 1201L is the better eel rod and I have both.

1201L vs 1201M
why do you guys prefer the M?
it seems to me that for eeling 4-12 might be a bit heavy? and the 2-6 of the L would be more in the range of the majority of eels.

1201m has some more balls than the L. That's why I like it.

People say this, people say that...

It all depends on how you fish.

-spence

I love my 1205 for eels

Don't listen to the ratings.

This is a 1201m launching a 2 oz Habs Pencil. Your casting stroke and power will effect what rod you prefer as well. For me, I start to feel the 1201m is out of steam shortly after 3 ounces with a plug. But obviously you don't cast an eel like a plug.

I have never fished an L, although if it still has lifting power like the m it might be of interest as a dedicated eel rod. DZ fishes a cut back L.

Why not save the $4,000,000 and get the Lami 1231? Great eel rod and it's virtually indestructable :err:

the xra1205 is a great plugging rod. although some may like it for eels, it is a moderately fast action rod and tends to throw off eels more easily. the gsb1201m has a moderate action, which is better for loading eels, especially any larger ones.

the gsb1201L is nice, but a better pencil popper rod and best for lures under 2.5 oz. it can handle 3, but you dont have the needed power to push the heavier lures out. dont bother paying too much attention to the lamiglas specs on the gsb1201L/M and 1321L/M. both are way overrated.

i have all 3 rods rods and if i had to choose one to suit all applications, it would be the gsb1201m. i've built many gsb1201m for customers and all are extremely happy w/ the result. i have several customers that have both rods, and prefer the gsb1201m to the xra1205 for throwing eels. peteg is one of those customers. stop down the saltwater edge and check the rods out as he usually has the rods in the shop or on his truck.

My thinking is that the less aerodynamic a lure is the more parabolic can cast it better. Fast action rods are great at throwing tins and the such. I use gsb132 1L cut 12 inches from the bottom it has an almost glass like action.

the xra1205 is a great plugging rod. although some may like it for eels, it is a moderately fast action rod and tends to throw off eels more easily. the gsb1201m has a moderate action, which is better for loading eels, especially any larger ones.

the gsb1201L is nice, but a better pencil popper rod and best for lures under 2.5 oz. it can handle 3, but you dont have the needed power to push the heavier lures out. dont bother paying too much attention to the lamiglas specs on the gsb1201L/M and 1321L/M. both are way overrated.

i have all 3 rods rods and if i had to choose one to suit all applications, it would be the gsb1201m. i've built many gsb1201m for customers and all are extremely happy w/ the result. i have several customers that have both rods, and prefer the gsb1201m to the xra1205 for throwing eels. peteg is one of those customers. stop down the saltwater edge and check the rods out as he usually has the rods in the shop or on his truck.

if the 1201 M is overrated, what would you estimate the rating to be?
im interested in picking one up, and was looking at the blanks cat last night and based on the ratings was leaning towards the L. I throw almost exclusively eels, but do throw wood swimmers and poppers up to about 4 oz.

go with the m

especially if you throw big eels/big plugs (3 oz)

i love mine....don't see a need for another all around rod

1201m for sure! Its really a great all around stick, damn good for eels too. Dont listen to the ratings..itll throw 1-4 or 5 maybe. Its far and away my favorite rod.

1201 M - GSB much tougher blank.

Why not 121-3M? ;)

I had a 1205 done conventional for eels and didn't like it (ok, perhaps this was exacerbated by my inability to cast a conventional) ;)

From what I've played around with the 120m I think that would be the rod if you're talking bigger eels.

The 1213m is a sweet and inexpensive stick, but not for everyday.

-spence

I would choose the 1205 for a conventional eeling rod. I like the rod as an all around rod so 1 rod can be used for eeling and plugging. . Despite the faster action , I won't cast eels off with a conventional . I like the sensitivity for bite detection.

My next choice amongst the rods mentioned would be the 1201L.

I think the Arra 1322 would be the rod I'd buy just for eeling but nobody asked about that one.

Don't listen to the ratings.

This is a 1201m launching a 2 oz Habs Pencil. Your casting stroke and power will effect what rod you prefer as well. For me, I start to feel the 1201m is out of steam shortly after 3 ounces with a plug. But obviously you don't cast an eel like a plug.

I have never fished an L, although if it still has lifting power like the m it might be of interest as a dedicated eel rod. DZ fishes a cut back L.

Mike, you couldn't have picked a more appropriate topic right now, as I am considering the same topic.

Pete, I was considering a 1205 - as I felt it would be a good plugging stick and I like to throw big plugs (but will need to throw smaller plugs at times as well) ... so do you still recommend the 1201m, even though it doesn't seem to throw the larger plugs as well as the 1205 ... based on your photo and comment.
thanks

1201m

Why not both..or all three.The 1205 is stiff.The fastest action in the xra series.This along with braided line can also pull the hook on lots of fish.If i was gonna thro 3 oz habs needle's all night that would be a good choice.The L is to light in my opinion.a good bomber red fin rod asking it to much more is takin it to extremes.If u cut the tip down the rating does not go up on the high end only the low end in other words u can;t make a 2-4 rod 3-5 if u cut it it becomes 3-4.So the 120 1M seems to be one of the best rods for alot of applications.It'll tro bombers an red fins ok.Is a good soft action rod for eels.excells in plugs in the 2 0z range.like darters an metal lips..As far as being a good pencil rod it pales in comparison to the 1322 or the gsb 136 1m. simply by the nature of it being shorter.i've gone to 11 fter's 3 yrs ago an i haven't looked back.Yes at times like when in the water tryin to land a fish or on a rock they can be cumbersome.But they offer me the most bang for the buck I don't sacrifice distance.Ya the majority of fish are in close..But sometimes they are not...An the longer rod can be a GREAT advantage when tryin to land a fish in a mine field.
It is a little tough eelin, they tro em great but the added lenght can be cumbersome.I missed alot of hits with it...No one rod does it all good.I have gone thru them all.Including glass...If I had to pick one it would be a 120 1M.

1201 M - GSB much tougher blank.

Why not 121-3M? ;)

I fished with a 121 3M i still have it.there is no better rod for whipping a fish made.The soft action is great for jiggin in my little canal.where 1.5 -2.5 is the norm.I like the way it gentily lifts the jig off the bottom.And I can lift 12 lbers up with it.Cast like crap.u gotta wait a 1/2 hr for the thing to unload.It's heavy, ya I'm a big strong guy but it can wear on ya.Espcially eelin.An it has about as much sensitivety as Don Rickles..
It gathers dust in the garage..

...The 1205 is stiff.The fastest action in the xra series...

the xra1084 and the 2006 model of the xra1204 are the fastest action blanks in the arra series. the 1205 is not as fast. the 1204, 1321, and 1322 are more of a moderate fast, which is slightly faster than the gsb1201m.

...I fished with a 121 3M i still have it.there is no better rod for whipping a fish made.The soft action is great for jiggin in my little canal.where 1.5 -2.5 is the norm.I like the way it gentily lifts the jig off the bottom.And I can lift 12 lbers up with it.Cast like crap.u gotta wait a 1/2 hr for the thing to unload.It's heavy, ya I'm a big strong guy but it can wear on ya....

if i'm to recommend one casting outfit (or spinning sometimes) for inlet fishing with heavy tide rips, this is the blank. it has lots of power, loads great, but as NIB mentioned, a soft, slow action. they are pretty much indestructable.

I got a 1205 for large wood and it fits the bill perfect (3-4oz wood)

Mike, you couldn't have picked a more appropriate topic right now, as I am considering the same topic.

Pete, I was considering a 1205 - as I felt it would be a good plugging stick and I like to throw big plugs (but will need to throw smaller plugs at times as well) ... so do you still recommend the 1201m, even though it doesn't seem to throw the larger plugs as well as the 1205 ... based on your photo and comment.
thanks

If I was going to pick one of the two it would definitely be the 1201m. It can basically do everything the 1205 can and in some cases better (eels), other then hitting a wall more quickly with big plugs.

I'm a big fan of the way the 1201m flexes when fighting a fish, unless you have mobus on the 1205 definitely fights fish further up the rod then the 1201m.

Casting style and personal preference make the difference. In the shop a few days ago I watched 3 guys all with multiple 50+ pound fish from the surf discuss one surf rod. One thought it was perfect, the other slow but good, and the other thought the rod was a joke.

Luds,

I have two 1205's. One spinning and one conventional. Both work great with eels and plugs. You can try both of them along with the 120M to see what you like best. Its the only way to decide, because everyone has their preference. Both excellent surf blanks.

Luds,

I have two 1205's. One spinning and one conventional. Both work great with eels and plugs. You can try both of them along with the 120M to see what you like best. Its the only way to decide, because everyone has their preference. Both excellent surf blanks.


Thanks for the offer Mike. I really appreciate it. I'm think I'm going with the 120 1m because the price tag is a little lower and I use my spinning 120 1m for just about everything and love it. The oppurtunity to buy the 1205 on the cheap has passed me by so it not that rod has somewhat lost it's appeal.