He also has one of the only custom built 2 piece 10' super surf blanks in existance.

That descibes me to a tee...when someone asks what type of setup my rods are, I simply tell them they're Numbskull specials. They work quite well but don't try casting rip rap with them...

Love mine - best all around rod IMO if you need just 1.

The rest of the advice and having one tailored for you is spot on.

Dave Fontaine - congrats :btu:

Agreed.

I tried a friends 1201m... it is a very nice rod that I would definitely like to own, it still doesnt have the type of action that I am looking for for my next rod... still a bit "wobbly" after a cast... call me picky, but hell aren't we all? I think I am going to bring both my rods with me as a reference point to a builder and try to find one that matches their action... and maybe a lami isnt what i'm looking for... Thanks for so much feed back you guys!

If you really like those rods you might want to think about a batson.

If its(120M) wobbly after a cast, I would suggest the NGC type setup which features multiple smaller, lighter guides from the rod's midpoint out to the tip. It lightens and tightens up the rod's feel considerably. I call it the Numbskull setup jokingly because George suggested I try it, but it is a very good layout in all honesty. I build all my spinners this way now, at least until something better pops into Numby's head and he uses me as his rod wrapping guinea pig. Worth investigating. I don't build rods commercially, so I'm not trying to sell you anything besides a good idea I stole from someone else.

ProfessorM has a rod I built this way on a 120M blank as does Texican.

Yes I do and love it! Good seeing you again at the cookout.

GSB 1201M
 

With Fuji BMNAG Alconites in 30, 25, 16, 12, 10, 10, 10.
I'll give you the spacing if you want it Pete.

Dave Fontaine suggested this set up for a rod I built a couple years ago, AND IT KICKS A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

In fact, I'll be doing the same thing with a Rainshadow blank I bought from Dave this winter.

Reverberation is often caused by heavy guides and supposedly also a poor casting stroke (too tight an upper hand and overpowering the rod after the release, I think).

Supposedly softer action rods help avoid ripping hooks out of eels...not that I would know.

The SSU1201mh is a nice blank and seems a bit "faster" than the 1201m, but not as fast as the 1205. I have one built spinning you can borrow if you get up to the canal area.

Ssu built ngc would be Right up your alley. With a vs 200 I would go 30 20 16 10 10 10 10 and a tip, that's how I built mine with tHe same reel.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

What he said. BMNAG guides with those numbers.
At least look at a rod built that way before deciding on something else.

I think I've fished every 10' surf blank ever made. I still have a small forest of them.

The one I reach for most often is an XRA 1205. More power than a 120 1M IMO. And not overly fast like my All Star 1208, which is my next favorite 10 footer. You can still work a pencil easily on a 1205.

And they aren't at all fragile. Don't listen to the internet hype about how all Arras break.

1201m is a great rod. I must say though..I've been fishing a 1321l with a foot off the butt for a few years now and I have not had much of a reason to go back to the M. It's lighter and throws everything I need it to. Just my .02

when you guys cut the blanks, that voids the lifetime warranty correct?

Pretty hard to break a big GSB lami.

That's what I've been told by more than one person/dealer...

-spence

Do you plan on using this rod more than the other rods you already have (i.e. your "every day" rod). If so, I think the versatility of the GSB 120 1M is a great choice. If you're building this as an eeling stick (realizing you may also throw plugs) then I think it makes sense to consider some of the other suggestions people have made (the super surf, etc.) as they may fit that application a bit better than the 120 1M.

I don't fish eels all that often so I can't opine as to which would be the best blank for the specific application. However, if versatility is what you're aiming for then I think a 120 1M is a pretty safe bet.

Just my $.02

Unfortunately , yes.

Saltheart... saw the rod you built for thumper last night... very nice work!

Guide reverberation? Wobbly?
you guys are way too picky!

My 1201M is scratched, ugly, needs new cork tape and has had multiple guides rewrapped. IMHO it is the best all around Rhode Island rod. Throws eels, lighter chunking, plugs, and can stand a 25 on her head when needed.

Thanks. he tells me he's been catching fish on it too! :)

Not necessarily. The two rods I have broken, both Arras, the factory asked for 6" either side of the break.

This coming from a guy who's tolerance for quality is making sure the thru wire comes out somewhere in the front 1/3 of the blank :devil2: :hihi:

-spence

come down to RI and fish a 1084 for a few weeks off the rocks. Oh SNAP.

HAHAHAHA....

The one I got from Nebe was scratched, ugly, just put XWrap on it because the cork was a pile of steaming poo (thanks Saltheart for the advice, it came out great) gets hit by the ceiling fan at least once every couple weeks and still stops fish dead in their tracks out here at MTK.

Yuck it up Spence.
At least I have seen a bass I didn't buy at a fishmarket this season (or last)

You two nebe.... :smash:

batson or allstar 1208s are pretty fast - very different than a 1201m. I have a 1205 arra and its fine. If cut down a 1201l can work too but the l's and m's will still feel wobbly to you. I have a 1201m too and its awesome. Give what you said, I think you need to pick between a 1208 and 1205.

Either way, if 95% of the guys here are recommending a 1201m, it may end up fitting your bill in the long run. This blank is stilll very sensitive and provides the needed cushion on bigger fish and braid. Also is forgiving with eels.

Putski, this is about as solid advice as you can get. Coming from another rod builder, many can wrap a rod, but not can build a rod.

You received a lot of great advice. It seems that you tried a GSB1201M, but didn't like the "wobble". I don't know how the rod was built for guides and layout, but in general the GSB1201M is a softer, slower graphite blank. The bigger the guides used, the more it wobbles or slower it recovers. When throwing eels, I prefer a rod that bends deeper to add in casting, since eels are not the most aerodynamic things to throw. This blank would be my choice for throwing live eels in a 10' blank. A second choice may be the SSU1201M, which is similar to the GSB, but a little lighter, faster, and tighter in feeling, plus it's a bit more expensive. I do not like fast action rods for throwing live eels, so a 1205 would not be my first choice. However, it would make a nice rigged-eel rod and it a perfect plugging/jigging rod. As others have said, ignor some of the bad rap on the internet for the Arras. I have customers that put their Arra's thru hell and they are still at it. Sure, they had a couple lines that went out w/ defects, which is most of what you read about. The others are production rods built incorrectly. One more thing about the GSB-series, it's about the most durable graphite blank out there, which is huge to me for dependability.

If you do fish braid, do yourself a favor and check out a rod built on the NGC. You will get a light and responsive rod.