Ron Arra rod- Questions?????? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

steve · 10-20-2008, 11:10 AM

The 9 foot Arra #xrsa 1084, 1to 4 oz.. Is this a good live eel rod? And is it a good all around bass surf stick?, plugs, rigged eels etc. Is it better than the Batson 9ft(8'-10") 1088 ? Any imput will be much appreiciated. The arra is a pricey stick and don't want to by it without some imput. I previously owned lighter 9 foot arra and didn't like it. I have the 9 foot regular graphite lamiglas( 1 to 4 oz. # unknown.) right now and like it. Thanks.

wheresmy50 · 10-20-2008, 11:31 AM

I never used the 1088, but I have the Arra 1084. It's a very fast rod, and I don't think it's ideal for eels. For one thing, I'd be afraid to cast the largest eels.

Maybe others will disagree with this, but I think it's really a 2-2.5oz rod.

I've never broken mine, but reported breakage issues would also make me reluctant to really put the boots to a large fish. For these reasons, I've used mine about twice in three years - so if you decide on this rod and want one only slightly used, let me know.

Bronko · 10-20-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

The 9 foot Arra #xrsa 1084, 1to 4 oz.. Is this a good live eel rod? And is it a good all around bass surf stick?, plugs, rigged eels etc. Is it better than the Batson 9ft(8'-10") 1088 ? Any imput will be much appreiciated. The arra is a pricey stick and don't want to by it without some imput. I previously owned lighter 9 foot arra and didn't like it. I have the 9 foot regular graphite lamiglas( 1 to 4 oz. # unknown.) right now and like it. Thanks.

My brother has one. If price is no issue, the Arra is a great stick for eeling and throwing plugs from 1-3 oz. comfortably.

I opted for a custom built Batson Rainshadow 1088 by MikeCC. Mike did an unreal job, I love the stick. I have a Calcutta 400 on it and it is a perfect match.

Admittedly I don't use it all the time since I use my VS more often, but every time I take this combo to the surf I always comment on what a great setup it is.

steve · 10-20-2008, 11:41 AM

I forgot to mention, breakage is a real problem with the 9 footers. I even broke the one I had and have seen alot of the come back thru my shop broken. It is a real concern. Thanks.

Brother Brian · 10-20-2008, 12:30 PM

I built rods on both the Arra blanks and I don't 'trust' either one

I built on the 9 ft Super Surf blank for somebody who never picked up the rod and that is all I use now

Although, even that would be too light for eels I think. What might be great is the 10 foot SS rated 2-5 cut down to 9-9.5 ft.
I think breakage of the factory rod(s) is because they don't use enough guides.

doc · 10-20-2008, 01:04 PM

i have the arra 1084...actually 2 of them...like them alot...but i did break one and lamiglass is sending me another one without any hassle...but i dont sling eels...just toss plugs...no problem with plugs up to 3oz...but i agree it is a bit light beyond that...

Adam_777 · 10-20-2008, 02:09 PM

Too light man.Don't waste your time with it.I had one for a short amount of time.Casts great but didn't have much of a backbone and the ratings are not correct.I'd say 3/4 -2 3/4 .1-4 is just plain lies.I'd go for the batson if I were you.Wickford Rod Works does a nice job and would probably know more about that blank.

steve · 10-20-2008, 02:40 PM

Adam777, I was there yesterday. I like Bob and think I 'm going for the baston. Thanks everyone for the info.

RIROCKHOUND · 10-20-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Adam777, I was there yesterday. I like Bob and think I 'm going for the baston. Thanks everyone for the info.

Steve;
I had a batson 1088 (Spin) and have a 1089 (Conventional)
fast, stiff blanks, not my favorite for eels. great for jigs and rigges though!

I have a cut down 1201M for eels. love it!

your welcoem to try either....

bassballer · 10-20-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Adam777, I was there yesterday. I like Bob and think I 'm going for the baston. Thanks everyone for the info.

rob just built me a 1202 and love it. He did a great job.

bart · 10-20-2008, 02:49 PM

take a look at the G Loomis Sur1084. 9ft stick rated 1-3, but will throw 3 no problem. this rod has been bullet proof for me, plus great warranty

Ron A · 10-20-2008, 03:27 PM

Steve, The 1084 is an excellent rod for lighter lures in the optimum performance weight of 7/8 to 2 5/8 ounce, butt will handle 3 oz and over if need be. Every XRA rod is designed for a specific use and has its own optimum lure weight for ultimate performance -even though the max lure weight is on the rod. If you want to cast large eels I would go with the XSRA 1205 10' that has much more power and designed for live eel fishing. By the way the new XSRA 1205-2 two piece will be on the store rod rack soon. I have been doing a lot of work with the two piece proto type and made some significant changes, that you two piece rod lovers will like. We will continue to work hard to please you guys, so you can enjoy fishing with the product. Thanks for your support.

BigFish · 10-20-2008, 03:34 PM

I have a 1084 built conventional and I love it! Great rod but I would not throw eels with it! I have a 1205 Arra that I have thrown eels with and it is perfect for that though a 1204 might be better on the back than the 1205? I will be having a 1204 built over the winter.

Ron A · 10-20-2008, 03:44 PM

BigFish, The new XSRA 1204 10' one piece has a very powerful firm butt section (power transfer to tip) with a very fast tip design which is excellent for distance-especially with metal lures such as the Point Jude models.

BigFish · 10-20-2008, 03:54 PM

Sounds great Ron thanks very much for the info!

MikeToole · 10-20-2008, 04:24 PM

I got a 1088 PacBay which works great for eels.

steve · 10-20-2008, 04:43 PM

Guys, thanks for all your imput. Ron A, I want something under ten feet. I used 8 and 9 footers all season a found them very user friendly. I just thought there might be something better out there for live eels. 10 and 11 footers are for younger, stronger guys. I haven't fished with anything over 9 feet in many years. Thanks again.

NIB · 10-20-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Steve;

I have a cut down 1201M for eels. love it!

your welcoem to try ....

This is what I would do..to even go one further I want to cut down a 1322 one day..

Grampy · 10-20-2008, 05:35 PM

Ron, After we left you yesterday I noticed you seemed to be looking for something and I could only think that you dropped a plug down into the rocks.

I didn't want to say anything at the time because I figured you must be ticked off.

I hope you were able to retrieve it.

By the way I have two of your 1205's and they are great.

pbadad · 10-20-2008, 05:42 PM

Steve I have been using and building the Lami GSB1081M for a few years. I fish eels and plugs with no issues. Parabolic action and slower than the arra 104. I've thrown eels to22' and plugs to 3.5. has enough to handle large. Ck this blank out. If you want to ck it out let me know. I can show you this rod when you are here for the Feb. CSA meeting.

cheferson · 10-20-2008, 05:45 PM

I didnt like the 1088 for eels.

Ron A · 10-20-2008, 05:57 PM

Grampy, good meeting you- I dropped an eel skin between a rock and finally found it. Thanks

Mike P · 10-20-2008, 06:00 PM

I really don't like any of the Lamiglas 9' blanks. Although I haven't tried the new 9' Super Surf yet.

I'd go with one of their 10' blanks and take whatever I felt necessary from the butt. One of Long Island's top rod builders used to make what he called the "Montauk Live Eel Special" by cutting back the butt of a GSB 120 1L blank. I see no reason why you couldn't take some excess inches off the butt of an XRA 1205, except for the fact that you'll void the warranty.

I'm also not in the "Arra blanks are fragile" camp. There are certain models that can't be abused or pushed beyond their weight ratings, but the stronger models in the line up, particularly the 1205, 1322 and 126 1MH, are just as durable IMO as their corresponding GSB cousins. I have owned almost every 10' to 11' Lamiglas blank over the years, and I really believe that the 1322 has the most power in the butt of any of them. So I don't buy into the "fragility" theory.

I'm not a big fan of rapid taper rods that have stiff butts and smallish tips--for eels, or anything else for that matter.

If you decide to go Rainshadow, bear in mind that there are two series of surf rod blanks--the SW series, which are moderate/fast blanks and fairly parabolic, and the SU series that are faster and stiffer, and not the greatest eel blanks out there.

numbskull · 10-20-2008, 06:53 PM

Mike, I just want to say how much I learn from your posts. Thanks.

Mr. Krinkle · 10-20-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron A

BigFish, The new XSRA 1204 10' one piece has a very powerful firm butt section (power transfer to tip) with a very fast tip design which is excellent for distance-especially with metal lures such as the Point Jude models.

I built my first rod on this blank and feel that the rating is overrated. I throw 1/2oz bucktails and bombers up to 2 1/2oz pencils with it. Anything over 2 3/4 oz is really over doing it with that blank. Paired up with a VS 150 makes for a setup that is extremely light and a pleasure to fish with.

As Ron A said, it casts 2oz tins a country mile.

shadow · 10-20-2008, 07:29 PM

I am a big fan of the GSB line up for eels and pencils much better then the batsons for those applications.a 1201 m or l cut down would be perfect the only draw back might be the weight of the blank although cut back it would be lighter.

Saltheart · 10-21-2008, 08:32 AM

Mike P summed it up pretty good.
I would cut down the GSB 108 1L for a great 9 footer.
The XRA 1205 is a great all around rod that is now available in a factory built and its light and easy to cast so you would get used to the extra foot really fast and have a Do-All type rod.

I think the XRA 1084 would make a great rod but until the dust settles on the braekage issues , I would not go there.

Mr. Sandman · 10-21-2008, 08:43 AM

Nice rod but I think it is too light (slightly too short) and too fast for eels IMO. Further the ARRA is stale technology, get something more up to date, that has more current technology that are more rugged and with better warranties for that kind of money, then the ARRA. There are several that would work.

Clogston29 · 10-21-2008, 09:01 AM

seams that alot of people don't like the 9' gsb blanks. i really like the 1081m that i have. good for eels, not great - but i think that's just because i prefer a 10' rod for eels. very good for sluggos and plugs from about 3/4 up to 3 oz.

i think that the gsb1201m cut down to 9' might be alittle stiff for what you want. i have one cut down to 9.5' from the but and find it significantly stiffer than the 1201m at 10' (although that may be due to variation in the blanks). i'd say that the 1201m cut down to 9.5' is more of a 1.5 - 4.5 or even 5 rod, and is a bit stiff for live eels. It really shines as a riggie rod IMO though and thats what i use it for most.

i had a batson sw1088 for about a month and sold it. Didn't like the feel of it at all.

RIROCKHOUND · 10-21-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

i had a batson sw1088 for about a month and sold it. Didn't like the feel of it at all.

Was that mine? I can't remember who bought it.... Or did you buy the 9ft conven?

either way; I could never feel where my rod tip was with the Batson, too stiff, fast.
1201M still the best all around eel-riggie rod IMHO!