In winters past I've let myself believe that I needed to build yet another rod for a "niche" fishing location/situation I encountered the previous season. The following season I'd look forward to using my new set-up in its intended environment...and then be disappointed by its limitations.

Despite the variety of surf outfits I have (or had), I invariably find myself reaching for the same one or two, no matter what.

My all-time, do-it-all surf rod is the GSB 1321M. It CASTS jigs under 1/2 ounce to metal over 4 ounces very well. It effectively LOBS big eels, the (old) 9" Storm shad, and herring chunks with 4oz pyramids. I've cast one over 160 yards with a VS275. I wade with it and swim with it. It's like my right arm.

Closely following is a set-up I use often due to it's versatility and exceptionally light weight: The old 11.5' Rainshadow 1386. Built with titanium lowriders and plate seat, and paired with a VS150, the outfit is insanely light and comfortable to use for extended periods. It has all the power it needs to get decent fish to hand quickly, though the 1321M is a better tool in really fast or rough water.

What are your favorite all-purpose surf outfits?

120-1M - though I have been considering an 11' for the past couple years - haven't gotten a round tuit

The one single setup I use the most is my Rainshadow 1088/StradicFI 8000.It absolutely fits the style and type of fishing I do most.

I am in the middle of a gear up grade so nxt season its all new bling bling aski me this time nxt when im mounting a 60 1/8 oz striper to the wall
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1201m and vs250

1201m and vs250

That. 90% of my fishing...

1213M with Newell 229 if I need to throw lead w/ squid in the spring....
1089 w/ Cabo 60 for jigging inside

Spinning: 1201M and VS 250
Conventional: 1201M and Daiwa Saltist 20

I am having a 1321M built this year that I am really looking forward to using. Will also be paired up with a VS 250.

I've built two 1321Ms; one with six SS lowriders and one with 11 titanium guides (HV/MN/Ys) laid out via New Guide Concept (NGC).

The titanium guide layout allowed the rod to be lighter and faster, which helped with distance (160+ yds with a VS275), but the SS lowriders allowed for a more versatile rod, as it slowed it down enough to use 3/8 oz jig heads and allowed for easier pencil-working.

I sold the lowrider build a few years back, and I broke my titanium build this past October, so I'm in need of another. Most likely I will build another one with stainless steel lowriders. That was my favorite.
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During this past year I still grabbed my Loomis 1266/706z combo most often.

Conventional was split between my Rainshadow SW1088/Abu 6500CL and my GSB1201L with the same reel. Also use a 10' PacBay 1208 a lot.

Coming year I hope to use a GSB1321L wrapped and cut down by bdsandman as my spinning rig.

1201M with a Penn 560 Slammer.

my go to set up is an 11ft custom lami, the blank i used is the ISU 1322MH, its rated 3 to 8 but throws loaded redfins to big plugs like GRS and large rigged eels all day. Sensitive tip and lots of backbone. Its wrapped with lowriders and shrink grip like the legends. I had two, snapped one last year and still have the other one.

The reel is a zeebaas 27, the only reel i own and use except for some bottom fishing set ups.

This year Im building the 10ft century stealth rated 1 to 4, and then the century 1327 11ft rod. Doing k frames on the 10ft, dont know what the big deal is with these guides will be cool to see what all the hype is about.

Might do the 11ft with lowriders depending on how i like the k frames.

I would go with a one piece rod but dont have the room in the house and i work in providence downtown and dont feel comfortable leaving it on the roof during the day.

If i had the room id build a gsb 1321M all day

1201m and vs250

This...

For conventional it's an All Star 1088 with a 400TE and Spectron...the only convench I can actually throw without nesting :hihi:

-spence

10 years ago I wrote a series of posts about the 4 rods you need to fish for stripers in the Northeast. I think that still holds true.

1) Schoolie rod ...Lami GSH 108-2MH..steelhead rod for very light jigs. For this I use a very small ABU Spinner.

2) All around rod for eels , plugs etc along the general shore line. Have used a Loomis 1266 for 15 years now with either a Calcutta 400 , 6500CS Mag Elite or BG6500CL (all these reels are spoolled with 35 LB Cortland Spectron but I have a spool of 50 LB PP I want to try) but will be replacing the 1266 with a Century Stealth1 (10 footer) now. It is better at the lower end for smimmers like redfins , mombo minnows , bombers , etc. It will not handle the very high end like the 1266 that will actually cast 4 OZ. For that I will use my now most versatile rod...rod 3 which I did not have for the first 7 or 8 years I had the Loomis 1266. I have not decided If I want the Stealth1 to be a spinner with a high end reel or a concentional using the same reels I use on the 1266.

3) Lami XRA 1205. A great rod for the canal , anything over 2 to as much as 5 OZ but used by me primarily for 3 and 4 or in current like the canal and breachways. I use an original black made in Sweden BG7000CL with 50 LB Cortland Spectron.

4) Rocket Launchers...I like my All Star 1418. It casts very easily and smoothly and far. I also have a Century Tip Tornado light that will cast a mile but is a lot more work to load but it will send them out of site. On the Allstar I generally would use a BG6500CL or the 6500CS Mag Elite with 35 Lb Cortland Spectron. On the Century TTL I use a BG7000CL with 50 LB Spectron. Either of these rods will crush up to 6 OZ easily and more in a pinch.

With these 4 rods I can cast 3/8th to 6+ OZ. I can fish for spring rats or moby #^&#^&#^&#^& , I can fish the most waveless beach or the most violent storm or the fastest current. I can flip stuff out there with the flick of a wrtist or I can put all my might into casts depending on my mood or need. You'll also notice that there is a little overlap between the rods capabilities and applications.

If I could have just 1 rod it would be the XRA 1205 but who knows , tomorrow a new model comes out and todays favorite becomes yesterdays has been. :)

Lami SSU 11' one piece with a VS 200, or same reel with a 1201 L minus 4" off the top. Going to be building a century at the Saltheart class, maybe it will replace the gsb...

Conventional, RS 1208, maybe its a 1209 im confused now with a 7000c3 abu. Love the thing, had it for about 5 years now, and after last year im not sure what blank it is. If i flipping smaller eels i use the same reel with a 10' lami triflex, super light weight rod but lacks in the power department.

gsb 1201m

This is an interesting read,I'm learning what most of you use,and why you change it up or move on.On the other hand I'am to cheap or just too frugal,call it what you will but I have only four set ups and have had them some for 13yrs. and one for 11 yrs.
My goto is a telephone pole and my Buddy's rouse me on it,but I don't mind,cause to me it get's the job done,but the funny thing is it's rated for 2-8.oz. but I can throw anything from lite jigs,plugs,bait and monstah eels.This stick has plenty of back bone & I've landed many decent fish on it.
So my cheesy line up is
Loomis 1267C
Croix Avid Surf S100 Med A
Croix Avid Surf C100 Fast
Croix Avid Surf S900 Fast

I'am sure I could step up and buy a better stick for myself and cast a bit further but,I'am cool with where I'am at.

1201m
1321m
Z25

1201m and a Stradic 8000

1205 with VS250 ( My go-to, but SUCKS for pencils)

GLB108mh with VS200

i use 8' lami most often bay rod, 11' pac bay spinner for the beach.

Last year a 1321m/ZB25 seemed right for the fish I was targeting but given my results I think I might try a Snoopy Rod this year instead.

Loomis 1064S 8'10" 1 piece, hopefully with a vs200 this upcoming season. Used for pluggin (awesome for pencils) and eelin. I also acquired a LSS90MMF2 9' croix i might give a whirl in the spring.

Guys what are your thoughts on G Loomis 1267S 10'6" for loaded bombers, avas, and up to 3 oz plugs? Rated 2-8oz.
thx

Guys what are your thoughts on G Loomis 1267S 10'6" for loaded bombers, avas, and up to 3 oz plugs? Rated 2-8oz.
thx1266 is more appropriate I think... rated 1-4. Good all around rod.

120 1 L ZB 25

The L is the perfect Rod for anything 2 ounces or under- redfins darters danny's bombers mag darters - so light fish all night and great
pencil popping blank.

I use a 108m on Jettys and rivers.

Am having a rod built for 3 ounces and up tins pikies big riggies . Took a test cast with guides taped on with a 3 ounce sinker and I was almost to the backing. Can't wait
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During the last year I've played a lot with the century blanks. being a rod builder I have more high end rods than you can shake a stick at.I started playing with the Century 9ft 6 in slingshot. It is a sweet rod with a stradic 5000 and 20lb test powerpro on it. i throw a lot of 2 oz plugs an 3 oz ones plus like using bommers and similar swimmers. i can fish all night an not get tired. I have pulled 20lb plus fish our of the rocks an it cast a rigged sluggo an med eels very nicely.Cost isn't all that bad and it's taken all the beating I can give it. with the tangle free K frames on it it cast sweet in any conditions.I have it right up there with an old Loomis 8ft 6 in and my lami 1081ms.Ligth,powerfull and so far rugged. Beat the H--- out of it and still going. I've built 9 so far and all love them.Nice to not beat myself an fish all night .LOL Lot better than my old 136 fenwick that I used for yrs. LOL With an old mitchell 496 and Ande 20lb on it.

1205 w/ single foots, cut to 9'6" paired w/ saltiga 4500 is my favorite do it all surf setup.

lami 961mh is by far the most comfortable and fun to fish when extra length or power isn't necessary.

The set up I use the most is a 1201M and a VS250 I have 2 of these set ups and love them and will probably fish um for a long time

I got a MoJo 10'6" 2-6 oz and used a ZB27 seems to cast well and the reel has a real nice drag, but I got took to school at the canal with it when a Large Striper had it's way with me and wrapped it's self around a rock, but handles smaller fish fine

I also have a 1321M and I am going to be trying that out this year in place of the MoJo at the Canal

Blanks hanging in my rafters include the two 10' models of the SSU line, a Breakaway Omega, the old 11.5' Rainshadow 1327 and others...I might pass on buying a 1321M blank and just build something I have. I can't see spending the money when I have so much unused inventory.
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Schoolies St Croix Ben Doerr SS80M with Cabo 40

(2) 1088 Rainshadow SW one 9' one 8'6" with VS200

Allstar 1265-2 with same VS

1201-m saltiga 4500

Handline.

St Croix Mojo 10/6 2-6 oz and 704z
St Croix Avid 10 3/4-4 and 704z
Daiwa Sealine 9 and 710z

I forgot to add my bait rods (I fish Sea Worms on a float rig in the Fall at Plum Island)

4 Older Lami Tri-flex 9'6" and Penn 6500ss reels I know they're Braid rods but I fish 20 pound Ande' Back Country with them

10' mojo 1-4 and a vs200 :love: those schoolies dont stand a chance

132 1l with 3" off the butt, lowrider concept guides. paired with an emblem pro a. plugging rod for the canal and beach. really launches 1.5-2.5 oz with ease. would like to upgrade the reel but unti lit breaks I'll keep using it

132 1m with a foot off the butt. paired with a daiwa exceler 5500. use it for canal jigging and anything else heavy

1321M with TiCoated SS wire frames/ZB27 for the beach. Wrapped with 7 guides, starting with a 30, it is about the ugliest rod I seen but I don't have to worry about any more cracked rings when I inevitably trip in the rocks.

At the Canal, put the ZB on an Arra 1261mh wrapped dual purpose for big plugs and put an Emblem Pro on 1321m for distance with pencils.

1261mh/525mag for jigs/metal.

being a rod builder, i've built and thrown a lot of rods and blanks. so, it's hard to suggest only a few. and, what works for one person in CT might not work in RI, or the Canal, or Nantucket, etc. but, with that said, here are a few of my highly recommended suggestions:

1.) GSB1321M and GSB1201M: great all around blanks. the 1321m has a little higher top end. both are great eeling sticks and about as durable a series as you can find. i fished my gsb1321m last spring and summer and forgot how great a rod this really is.
2.) SSU1201MH: one of my favorite all around blanks. not as great an eeling stick, but super light and lots of power with a wide lure range. i'm always surprised more people don't fish this series. it was one of lamiglas' better designs, at least the 1-piece ones.
3.) XRA1205: one of the best pure plugging blanks. if i get a call of a blitz around, i know i'll be plugging, and need to muscle fish in, this is one of the first rods i'll grab.
4.) GSB1081M/SSU1081M: both are great 9' rods that can handle Bombers to 3 oz darters and super light. the ssu is a little lighter and faster, the gsb is less expensive. both very similar overall.
5.) 4SRS110MHMF2: this "3-8 oz" St Croix Legend offering was my favorite rod all fall. i was able to throw 1oz jigs to 5-6 oz GRS lures and was never tired holding or casting an 11' rod after a night of fishing. this blank felt like it was a 1-piece rod.
6.) SB1213M: one of the best RI jetty blanks built. being glass it's very durable, can take being smacked around the rocks, strong, and cheap, if you can still find them. great built as conv.

for me, my spinning reel of choice is a VS 250. it could very easily be a VS200 as you really don't need a 250 for stripers. a VS150 is great for 9' rods. my conv reel is usually an Abu 7000C3. 50# braid on both.

as saltheart said, this list could very easily change in a year or 2. there are so many rod companies out now and many are building blanks for the NE surf. some just haven't caught on yet; some have. others are quite expensive. and others are very competitive in price. of course, what one person loves in a rod another hates. do you homework and shop wisely.

A friend of mine was reading this over my shoulder an commented that those reels are nice for who can afford them but what about some choices for those of us with shallow pockets. 100 reels an such. so question is does anyone have any reels in the lower price ranges they.ve had good luck with?

I used a Stradic 8000 for a long time and never had any issues.
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Shimano Baitrunners 3500B and 4500B were very good to me. Penn 704Z with bail-less kit. 706Z. I also like the Spheros. Mine are older. Have not used the new ones. I also have a Penn Battle that is good so far. Anyway... don't want to start a new topic.

stradic seams best for the money. have a fiend who beats on one and it keeps going, although not as smooth as it once was. probably the best bang for the buck out there, especially if you keep it dry.

A friend of mine was reading this over my shoulder an commented that those reels are nice for who can afford them but what about some choices for those of us with shallow pockets. 100 reels an such. so question is does anyone have any reels in the lower price ranges they.ve had good luck with?

Penn has taken care of the low budget surf fisherman for many decades.

take those 2 or 3 crappy reels over the years and one or two not so crappy reels that you keep spending money to fix, and vuala, theres your budget for 1 good reel :uhuh:

Hard part for some is that would mean not bein able to fish at all as the budget just isn't there for many right now.My ist outfit was a 9ft6in Berkley bucanneer rod with a revelation reel.Then came a Mitchell 302 and a Garcia Conolon 10 ftr.took 2 yrs to save for it.If i didn't have the cheap outfit no fishing.The reason i learned to build rods in the beginning was that I couldn't afford to buy a custom rod.So money for the beginner is important when gettin an outfit.

Penn has taken care of the low budget surf fisherman for many decades.

Most of the cheaper Penn products now are Chinese junk.

Most of the time its an XRA 1205 and a Spheros 8000 (great reel you can load with braid for <$200 all in). I know thats not the flashy combo but its done well for me. I might upgrade the reel this year. I have been known to jig with a Allstar 1209 and older Abu 7000 or a 7000HSN.

one of the best, proven "budget" reels for years is the old reliable 704/704z (705 for lefties). they are not the best for braid, but will work. you can find them used quite often on BSTs and ebay. i know i have a few used green 704s i'd flip. a 710 also works, but is starting to get too small. with the "Z-series" penns, you just needed to clean the drags often and the housing from time to time if you fished hard or dunked it. you will go thru dog and bail springs, but there are manual conversions around for the 704. other options are cabos, stardics, etc.

you will see used van staals around on BSTs too. they really are not too highly priced. i've seen 150s for $450 and once in a while a 200s for $500. if you dunk your reel and are sick of cleaning penns or other reels, van staals are hard to beat. they have manual maintenance options availble too. but, i don't mind spending $60/year to have mine serviced. i don't own a zee bass, but they are another alternative, but i don't see them used at a reasonable price too often. if you don't fish that often, i can see either of these as not a viable option. if you fish a lot, its something you really should consider.

LOL Well I just saved his budget. You guys sparked my memory so I dug through a tote of old stuff and gave him an older 704z with the good bail and an American made 7500. He's happy as no more fightin with the wife till he gets his income tax back an wants a custom rod since the reels were very cheap LOL

zebco 202

XS 101 MSAC 2-5 oz with custom work on it paired with a VS 200

zebco 202

Good one JD!

2nd that - Zebco 202Z customized by sealing and drilled out for drainage. Don't forget to remove the drag clicker. Send in for service once a week to maintain lifetime warranty.

All kidding aside who else grew up with a 202? I personally took a 7lb largemouth while using one casting a hulapopper into a local farm pond.

A 202 was my go to reel until I stepped up to a Mitchell 304, the bail spring broke on that. I cut the bail off and fished with it till the gears wore out.

202's,404's,an Mitchell 300 were the way to go. That and the Sears Ted Williams.

Good one JD!

2nd that - Zebco 202Z customized by sealing and drilled out for drainage. Don't forget to remove the drag clicker. Send in for service once a week to maintain lifetime warranty.

All kidding aside who else grew up with a 202? I personally took a 7lb largemouth while using one casting a hulapopper into a local farm pond.

My kids each have one,my daughter can cast her's well she's 12yo.

SSU1201MH with Stella 8000, the most comfortable surf set up ever for non submergence operations (75%) First choice for all night time fishing.

SSU 132 1MH with Zbaas for more extreme operations. ( I swap reels sometime on this set up... sometimes I put a saltiga 4500 w/custom handle ) (25%)


For light tackle surf: I always go for a st.Croix premiere or legend surf (7') with a stella 5000. This is an awesome combo. I have had more fun fishing with this rod/reel than any other combo from the surf. The feeling is amazing and you can handle a surprisingly big fish with this. I have caught 50# tuna in my boat with them as well a albies/bones/blues/bass from the beach. My go to daytime rod for sure!


For ultra light surf I fish a 6' Gloomis greenwater with a stella 2500 with 10# braid. (like casting air) What a hoot!! I have been spooled on this a couple times but generally I get close to the arbor but land the fish. A big albie on this is scary.

A couple photos from the light and ultra light category:

last year i fished non-convential for the first time. used older abu's from sweeden. 6000 or 7000. usually on either one of two different 9' rods that wickford had made for me. arthritis has ruined my hands for them.
the rods i fished were two lami's from the late 60's. one was for plugs under 2 oz.s the other was slightly heavier for over 3oz's. both 9 ft+. these rods were before they started using # and letters to identify them
reels are the older penn 550's. take a beating but keep on ticking. i buy every one i can find for the parts. used with 20# ande back country, great combo's for the beach or the rocks.

I'm no pro but I'll weigh in.Loomis 1266S for spinning is my all around go to rod.I sold one and wasn't able to find a rod that I liked as much.I bought another.Reels on the other hand is another problem.I've tried this and that and those.Had a lefty VS250 on the 1266 and made the mistake of selling it.Good luck finding a silver VS250L anymore.Last year I ruined a new emblem pro in under 10 trips.I got a VM150 and it's nice but just a tad small for what I'm used to.

I almost always use a Daiwa 20H conventional reel on either an older Daiwa Sealine 11 foot 2 piecer, or my honey 121-3M. Depending on whether or not I feel comfortable with a one piece rod hanging out the back window of the truck.

Good to hear from you, Stewie.
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Jigging the ditch XRA 1261MH with Saltiga 6500DF
Plugging Anywhere GSB1201 M with Saltiga TG5000H
Eels and light stuff SSU 1201 M with VS250

Love them all

SW1208 w/ Progear 501CS/Avet SX
SS 10' 1-4 w/ VS 200

this year I'll have a Century 1327 and Stealth 11' as well as the AFAW Uptide...that rod will be in the truck 24/7 with an EmPro 5000

bumping this up, 4 years later. lots of new rods on the market, curious what everyone is using now.

For me the last few yrs have been a CTS Vapor Trail 3-6 with a VS250. Having a 120 1M Lami being built now to use with a VS200 for when i don't feel like throwing an 11fter.

A GSB 1321M/ZB25 and a GSB1201L/VS150 (or StellaSW5000).......both built as light as practical with rapid reduction layouts using titanium guides.....covers my needs very well.

I have added a FSC 1266/ZB22 which I built as a niche rod for throwing lighter stuff where I needed more stopping power than the 1201L provided. Turns out it can do much of what the 1321m does as well and if you are looking for a single "do it all" blank that one is worth considering.

I do believe that no matter what blank you choose it can be improved by building it with lighter and smaller guides.
It sounds extreme, and the jury is still out, but a decent argument can be made that if your second guide (from the butt) is larger than a 16 you are burdening the blank more than necessary. People considering a new build (and willing to pay for performance) should check out the new ST Croix Legend to see what is possible with the newer guide choices. I am not advocating buying that rod, I know nothing about it, only commenting that the guide layout (and even it is a compromise) is where things are probably heading.

Still a gsb series fan. 1081m, 1201L, 1201M. VS 200 and 250 most of the time. Mix in Santiago 4500 occasionally.
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Good Bump - will be interesting to see where the new kit is in comparison to the old stuff....

I debated upgrading my 10' stick so would like to see what people are doing today

If I had to pick one single "do absolutely everything I need it to do" combo, the choice is easy as it's what I have been using 90% of the time for the last several years: Lami 1321m with VS250. I can throw anything from an unloaded Redfin on up to a whole live bunker with it and have never once felt under gunned. I have the rod wrapped with a combo of K frames and BMNAG runners and it casts/fights a fish like a dream.

Still the same 1205 and saltiga from 2012. Where lighter gear is ok, my favorite combo ever is an all star 1085 w/ stella sw5000.

One change is the quality of the current generation of budget reels, I can't see ever again paying the price for even a used stella or saltiga for fishing for striped bass.

If I had to pick one single "do absolutely everything I need it to do" combo, the choice is easy as it's what I have been using 90% of the time for the last several years: Lami 1321m with VS250. I can throw anything from an unloaded Redfin on up to a whole live bunker with it and have never once felt under gunned. I have the rod wrapped with a combo of K frames and BMNAG runners and it casts/fights a fish like a dream.

Good post. Mine is currently a 1201M w/ ZB25, but definitely interested in 1321M down the road to fill out the arsenal.

My go to set up 85% of the time was 1201M with VS200. Dont surf fish as much as I did. Miss it though.

My go to rod is a once piece 11' CTS Vapor Trail rated 4-8 ounces and I fish it with a VS 250. I performs well for me plugging, eeling, throwing riggies and chunking and it has plenty of backbone to turn larger fish.

For the last 2+ years it has been the 11' Century Noreaster (standard)
rated 2-5 oz. throws plugs , eels, chunks... my all around, one and done
rod.

paired with a VS 200 or 250 ...

Bounce back and fourth between a 1321m and 1201m so much that I made a 1321m with 6" cut from the butt hoping to find a happy medium (I prefer to fish a 200 sized reel) but I didn't like it as much as I thought.

Might try it again with one of the newer old school GSBs but I have some other stuff to build first.
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Century stealth 10' for 90% of local surf stuff. I have felt undergunned with it on a few occasions. Doesn't like big eels or 3 oz pugs too much. Use it usually with a vs200. Also use the Stealth 11' when i need a bigger stick with a zb27. Chunking i use old Tica 10' that is a beast matched with an abu 7k. Last year i picked up a Shimano baitrunner that i occasionally put on a Lami Super surf 10' two piece broom stick. Good rod for chunking but its too stiff for most surf applications, good for breachways that's about it. Schoolies/albies i have a 8'6" steelhead rod matched with a penn ssv 4500. Fun combo but the reel isn't too durable.

Bounce back and fourth between a 1321m and 1201m so much that I made a 1321m with 6" cut from the butt hoping to find a happy medium (I prefer to fish a 200 sized reel) but I didn't like it as much as I thought.

I did the same with a 1201m as a go between for 1201m and 1081m. I like it but use the others more also.

1201m and vs250

Awesome. Almost a secret that few know.

Awesome. Almost a secret that few know.

1201m with a vs250 is my go to. 1213 with a Newell for chunking
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I did the same with a 1201m as a go between for 1201m and 1081m. I like it but use the others more also.

I might've built it wrong but I'm not sure the GSB does well cut. Everyone loves 1201m with a foot removed though.

My go to rod is a once piece 11' CTS Vapor Trail rated 4-8 ounces and I fish it with a VS 250. I performs well for me plugging, eeling, throwing riggies and chunking and it has plenty of backbone to turn larger fish.

+1 with ZX25 though
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I might've built it wrong but I'm not sure the GSB does well cut. Everyone loves 1201m with a foot removed though.

That's common with the 1201L, today popular because John Skinner uses one. Steve McKenna also uses variants of that rod and is a proponent.

But, the 1201L is already pretty slow, and taking a foot off the bottom really cuts off the power and it will bend even deeper on you past the handle. I went with a a 9'6" version, with 3" off the tip to bring the tip into the same as the 1201M and 3" off the butt, slowing it back down. Works really well for an all around versatile rod. Excellent rod for CT waters.

I am looking myself, for something that will cut it for open ocean and nasty weather, but still be useable otherwise, in case it isn't quite as tough as you thought when you grabbed the rod from the truck and hiked it out. I'm torn between the Lami GSB 1321 and the FSC 1327. I do really like the FSC, but, I also like proven technology, i.e. the Lami 1321.

[QUOTE=eskimo;1116603]Bounce back and fourth between a 1321m and 1201m so much that I made a 1321m with 6" cut from the butt hoping to find a happy medium (I prefer to fish a 200 sized reel) but I didn't like it as much as I thought.

I had one built the same way a number of years ago,i thought it was going to be the perfect rod. Not at all what i expected, sold it at the end of the first season with it.

[QUOTE=eskimo;1116603]Bounce back and fourth between a 1321m and 1201m so much that I made a 1321m with 6" cut from the butt hoping to find a happy medium (I prefer to fish a 200 sized reel) but I didn't like it as much as I thought.

I had one built the same way a number of years ago,i thought it was going to be the perfect rod. Not at all what i expected, sold it at the end of the first season with it.

Sounds great on paper but I suspect what Yudi mentioned above with the 1201L is happening.

Tempted to do it again with one of the new Old School GSBs but I think I'll just cut my losses.
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For the last two years my go-to set up has been an FSC 1327 paired with a Penn 706z (upgraded to VSx250 this season).

I can't say enough good things about this rod. Probably the best plugging/eeling rod I've ever owned for where I like to fish. It take a beating, too.

With that being said, if I could only choose one rod from the arsenal, it would be my first generation 10 ft. 1pc Lami SSU. That rod can do just about everything from a 1oz bucktail, sp minnow, SS darter, up to a 6oz shad. I can't jig like that with the FSC so that why is the Lami gets the slight edge. It' also an extremely tough rod as well. They had quality control issues with the other SSU models thus resulting in that line being discontinued a while back, but the 10ft 1pc is a beast. Mine's still going strong after 9 years of abuse.

For the last two years my go-to set up has been an FSC 1327 paired with a Penn 706z (upgraded to VSx250 this season).

I can't say enough good things about this rod. Probably the best plugging/eeling rod I've ever owned for where I like to fish. It take a beating, too.

With that being said, if I could only choose one rod from the arsenal, it would be my first generation 10 ft. 1pc Lami SSU. That rod can do just about everything from a 1oz bucktail, sp minnow, SS darter, up to a 6oz shad. I can't jig like that with the FSC so that why is the Lami gets the slight edge. It' also an extremely tough rod as well. They had quality control issues with the other SSU models thus resulting in that line being discontinued a while back, but the 10ft 1pc is a beast. Mine's still going strong after 9 years of abuse.

The 1327 felt great but I've been trying to move away from a softer rod so I was looking at a 1267. It felt just soft enough to throw eels.

That first gen SSU was nice but obviously grew a bad reputation of blowing up. The second gen felt just as good but probably guilty by association. I wish I bought and built a Infinity as that might have been the golden ticket. Some of the ODM stuff feels good but just not for me.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The 1327 felt great but I've been trying to move away from a softer rod so I was looking at a 1267. It felt just soft enough to throw eels.

That first gen SSU was nice but obviously grew a bad reputation of blowing up. The second gen felt just as good but probably guilty by association. I wish I bought and built a Infinity as that might have been the golden ticket. Some of the ODM stuff feels good but just not for me.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

It's funny man, I seem to be going in the opposite direction. I'm used to fishing fast rods, but I like the give of the soft tip when a fish makes a run in the boulders. I've pulled way less hooks fishing the 1327 the last 2 years, but it took some time to get adjusted.

I hear you about ODM. A lot of guys like how light and seemingly powerful the blanks are, but I prefer heavier gear.

I have what seems to be a set up for every way I fish. I love my GSB1201 M with a ZX27 for surf it throws everything I need it to. I also use a 1201M conventional for drifting eels with a Truth SG reel.

Canal set ups are Century KNE with a Dogfight ,jigging is an old 1208 with a Diawa Isla 7000H. But they hardly get used anymore as I've taken to dislike people and prefer fishing alone!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I have what seems to be a set up for every way I fish. I love my GSB1201 M with a ZX27 for surf it throws everything I need it to. I also use a 1201M conventional for drifting eels with a Truth SG reel.

Canal set ups are Century KNE with a Dogfight ,jigging is an old 1208 with a Diawa Isla 7000H. But they hardly get used anymore as I've taken to dislike people and prefer fishing alone!
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That's a ton of gear, do u ever catch anything?

If I had to pick one single "do absolutely everything I need it to do" combo, the choice is easy as it's what I have been using 90% of the time for the last several years: Lami 1321m with VS250.
This is mine as well. Does anything anywhere.

But How do you scrape this layer of dust off the rod?
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That's a ton of gear, do u ever catch anything?

You should see my tuna set ups...I have more boat gear than surf stuff now, and no damn boat! Yet.

zx27 on a 1321m.

this is an awesome thread, its great to see what everyone is using now and days.

This past fall I broke my loomis 1266 after 5 yrs of hard use and 2 yrs of wetsuit abuse. Probably going to try a lami gsb next!

Still the same 1205 and saltiga from 2012.

One change is the quality of the current generation of budget reels, I can't see ever again paying the price for even a used stella or saltiga for fishing for striped bass.



I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on reels that fit in this category. I've been looking at the Daiwa BG series - just hav'nt decide which size to get