Was talked into a Lami XS 101 MS for a eel rod last night and after fishing with it this morning I have my doubts. When casting large eels there seemed to be vibration coming from the butt end,something I am not used to (Fished with a Penn 10' Champion the last few years). After spending about $275.00 I dont think I am that happy with this Purchase but have 7 days to return the rod.

I mostly fish large eels off the boulder fields here in plymouth/manomet.

So my questions to you guys:

Am I just not used to a Lami?
Is there a better option for $275.00?
If so, what?
Can I get a custom Batson for around this price?

I just want t be sure I made the right choice before the 7days is up. $275.00 isnt easy to come seeing I just purchased a new house.

Your help is greatly apprecaited.

Fireman

i think that the Lami XS 101 MS is built on a lami gsb1201L blank. a nice rod, but a bit light for eels in the rocks IMO. i love it for plugging in less rocky spots. I'd go with a custom built on a gsb1201M blank. Should be able to get one for under or around 275. if your from MA, check out CMS.

If you want a faster LIGHT rod w/plenty of backbone...

Loomis SUR1266. Much lighter than the 1201M. Excellent all-around rod if you like faster action. Great for eel and plugs (I do ~50/50). Only caveat is it will not cast small eels well.

I have the 1201M now and it is my Go To rod, all around. I haven't picked up my previous go to stick since (Batson 9'). I can't speak for the other blanks mentioned on this thread, just that the 1201M is a great stick.

You're feeling the vibrations because you're not used to a rod with a parabolic taper or "action". Your rod flexes past the halfway point on a cast and the vibrations get transmitted to your hands. You're going to feel that on most, if not all, Lamiglas surf blanks. Even on something as heavy as a 126 1MH Ron Arra blank.

If it bothers you, you should look into other brands. You can get a custom Rainshadow for around $275 from CMS--probably less. I would probably go with an SU 1208 for tossing eels in rocky areas--the SW 1208 doesn't have the same power.

That rod is built on the gsb120l blank like clogston mentioned. I however love that rod for eels, especially if you cannot get large ones, and I have no issues using it in the rocks around BI. But, if you don't like it and fish only large eels, go with the gsb120m, again like clogston said.

I use the 1201m for eeling and larger plugs and it is a great stick.

I have a batson 1088 (9') that I like when throwing Bombers/Mambo minnows, Smaller plugs (1-2 oz) and Sluggos.

alot of it comes down to preference. if you don't like it, go with something else.

i hate batsons for example. just hate the feel (or lack of IMO). others love them. just find what works for you.

Lighten your grip on your top hand as you finish your cast and the reverberation may go away.

Switch to plugs and all the lice will go away, too. ;)

I have a Pac Bay Sabre 10' that CMS built for me a few years ago. I do not know the number but ask Mike what the blank is and tell him he built it for me. It's graphite and perfect for big eels and plugs up to 4oz.

for the budget, best bang for your buck is the Lami 1201M. If you got the dough, Lami Arra 1205.......Both throw everything from small eels to 5 oz jigs. Arra has a bit more backbone to really put the brakes on big fish in tough areas.

Thanks for the insight guys. Think I am going with the Arra 1205. No problem spending a bit more when you are trying to put the brakes on a large fish in these boulder fields we have here in Manomet.

Fireman

1205 is a great rod but you will need fairly good sized eels. People say it casts 1 to 5 but you will have to kill yourself to load it at 1 OZ. Its not even optimum at 2 but you can do 2. At 3 its beautiful.

I think typically eels run 2 to 3 OZ so the larger snakes would be just right IMO.

The rod you have should be pretty good for what you are doing. Maybe it takes getting used to compared to you old rod. Anyway, if you don't like it the XRA 1205 is a great rod.

The Loomis 1266 rod mentioned is a good eeling rod but its kind of for pro level people. Its awefully fast action for an eeling rod which most people can't use well but if you can its also very sensitive and great for seting the hook. A lot of guys will cast off their eels with that rod do to the fast action.

Also , for the factory rod , I think the XS101MSH is the next step up in power.

I've been using a honey lami, I think it's the MB1083 for eels, and I have mixed feelings on it. What do you guys think? I do have a GSB1201M, but I use it for plugs, I've never thrown an eel on it. Is the GSB 1201M a better choice?

I've been using a honey lami, I think it's the MB1083 for eels, and I have mixed feelings on it. What do you guys think? I do have a GSB1201M, but I use it for plugs, I've never thrown an eel on it. Is the GSB 1201M a better choice?

The GSB 120 1M has more balls than the glass MB 108 3M. If you have to turn a big fish in current around structure, I'd much rather have the 1M in my hands.

You know, I love the way you guys talk about the "number of the blank". Back in the days of Murats we would ask Charlie or Dave to build us a rod for throwing Dannys. (real Danneys at the time that were all 3 to 4 oz) We didn't know a number from a hole in the wall.

It was a Lami Honey blank or white blank, which were always stiffer, or E-glass or S-glass. I never, ever heard the number of a blank mentioned. To this day I have about 30 surf rods and I couldn't tell you the number of any of them.

Hey, Paul, I just bought a honey Lami from slow eddie and it's a beaut - a 132 3M to replace my old vintage one I broke in half last year.

That's my favorite eel rod - you can whip an eel waaay over yonder without ripping it off, and the action is pretty forgiving. Got my PB on that rod, too...:uhuh:

Can't wait to use the new(er) one - sure hope those stainless guides stay on it for a while...:laughs:

Just kiddin' Eddie - it was in pretty danged good shape

I may even get in touch with him to see if he still wants to get rid of that old white Lami rug-beater Grande made that he had laying around...:hihi:

Chuck:
Good for you!!!

I grabbed 3 old Murat rods at a yard sale back a bit. 2 honey blanks and one E-Glass. $60 for all 3

Chuck:
Good for you!!!

I grabbed 3 old Murat rods at a yard sale back a bit. 2 honey blanks and one E-Glass. $60 for all 3

Awesome find there!

Chuck:
Good for you!!!

I grabbed 3 old Murat rods at a yard sale back a bit. 2 honey blanks and one E-Glass. $60 for all 3

That's a find, Paul...for us old school guys, anyway...:kewl:

I use a GSB 1201L for eels, never had an issue anywhere I fished, landed alot of nice fish with it.

You know, I love the way you guys talk about the "number of the blank". Back in the days of Murats we would ask Charlie or Dave to build us a rod for throwing Dannys. (real Danneys at the time that were all 3 to 4 oz) We didn't know a number from a hole in the wall.

It was a Lami Honey blank or white blank, which were always stiffer, or E-glass or S-glass. I never, ever heard the number of a blank mentioned. To this day I have about 30 surf rods and I couldn't tell you the number of any of them.

Was that back in the days when you walked 5 miles to school--each way--uphill--in a blizzard--barefoot? ;) :devil2:

I use a GSB 1201L for eels, never had an issue anywhere I fished, landed alot of nice fish with it.
In the canal?

In the canal?


I dont have much time fishing the canal so I cant comment on an eeling rod for the canal, however I fish a coastal river here in NJ that cranks up pretty good and know a thing or two about fishing in strong current and would not use anything less than my 1205 Arra.

Anyways, I assumed the author of the thread was talking beach eeling.

While I use an SU1208 when fishing the canal it's only from the point of being almost a neccessity. I actually don't like using the rod when using eels.

Most of my fishing is done in rocky areas and I like to use a 9' rod for eels. Most of the time I'm fishing eels in the 12-14" range. Haven't seen much need for real big eels in rocky areas without much current or depth. My go to rod is a 1088 Allstar which has shown plenty of backbone for fishing in the rocks. I also use a Pac Bay 1088 which gives a much softer cast but not quite the same backbone as the Allstar.