One stick..

[Nebe]

Thinking about getting a new stick... a 10 footah.

If you guys were to only have one 10 foot rod what would it be? right now my only 10 footer is a batson 1208. Its nice, but I struggle throwing big stuff like pikies and big habs pluggage...

oh and its gotta be a lami

I also have a 1084 for the light stuff, so my 10 footah doesnt have to throw the light stuff....

any suggestions?

[mikecc]

GSB1201M

[goosefish]

That is the one and you know it.

[spence]

I thought about this this spring. I ended up with a 1205 conventional and I just bought a 1204 spinner. If I'm fishing the usual haunts in Little Compton/Westport with a wind in my face I'll use the 1204. If it's rough out or I'm fishing down by Eben the 1205 is better. I know that's not one stick, but I don't have a rod like the 1084 as Eben does.

Curious how the 120m is different from the 1205. I didn't even really consider it.

-spence

[Nebe]

Originally posted by goosefish
That is the one and you know it.

Yes I know! But i thought that i might 'pole' the audience

now I have to struggle with spinning or conventional

i'm leaning to the Conventional side


Thanks Mike for confirming my choice:

[goosefish]

I've got a 7000 with your name on it.

[Nebe]

Need plugs?

[goosefish]

the thing is that guys who throw spinning with this blank can cast bombers and such. I get into some trouble with lighter plugs. A 704 or a van stall, may give you more weight range. I may be able to help you out with a van stall later this winter

Fire up the lathe................

[Bill L]

Whats up with the manufacturer's rating for these blanks, the 1201L is rated 2-6 oz, the 1201M is 4-12 oz. Seems like the 1201L would be nicer for plugging

[Nebe]

I dunno... the L is pretty whippy...I dont think i'd throw something large on that blank.

I think i'll have it wrapped spiral

[spence]

I think the L is more light plugging and the M more heavy plugging. The Lami ratings are completely wack.

I'd do conventional on the 120m Eben. Spinning in great for the smaller stuff, but when you want to toss a 4 ounce needle that rod with the 7000 would be sweet

-spence

[mikecc]

don't know where lamiglas got the ratings. seems the only blanks they rate properly is the XRA rods

Should have said rate closer to the actual lure range

[Nebe]

Even the Xra's are over rated... the 1084 is rated to 4 oz and theres no way I'd chuck a 4 oz plug with that.... 2 3/8ths is the sweet spot. (super strike poppers)

[NIB]

Screw conventional,No range.An who needs the birds nests.I like to fish with a wind in my face.Ain't workin then.I have at least 20 conventional rods an I don't throw a plug wit any of them u wanna liveline fine, throw jigs fine, bait good but not plugs.leave that to ron arra.i think u have way more control with spinnig also a big fish comes in towards that big rock ur done also forget ten Ft. an go up with a 11.eiyther a gsb 132 or a Xra 132 2.so's u can reach the big boys.there will be times u wish u could cast 20 yds further.Why torture urself.I started usin a 11 ftr. 3 yrs ago an I'll never look back.I have a xra 132-1 thats a great rod throws bombers to 3 oz bottle plugs the sweet spot just over 2 oz. I lay off a bit wit the 3 oz.rs. I also have a gsb 132 1M thats a greak stick a little heavier castin range. but i wish i had the XRA132-2 I think i will get one soon hey Mike rap me one I'll be up there soon.the Arra's seem to be more parobolic have greater lure weight range an cast better.I seen the one mike rapped for the contest man that was a sweet rap.If U intend to stay wit the sissy 10 ft size I would say 1204 or 1205 bein as u already have one for lighter pluggage i don't like my 120m u can have it it seems to be in the middle of all my rods an gets the least amout of play time.Also I had a 132 1L an folded it in half castin a 2.5 needle one night. so forget that.So whataya gonna do.

[Nebe]

hmmm thats a thought NIB... so many choices out there

gotta say that the conventionals cast further though... no?

[spence]

I wouldn't do it for distance alone. They are lighter and easier to cast heavier plugs IMHO.

-spence

[Nebe]

Yeah the weight factor is important for me... I'm very mobile when i fish and the weight of my batson teamed with a 704 really bogs me down...

[NIB]

I'll go against any conventional guru wit a three once pencil popper into a wind.No for plugs they don't cast further forget that bs its a pain in the arse.Trust me on this or u'll be sellin it by next yr this time.

[spence]

Originally posted by Eben
Yeah the weight factor is important for me... I'm very mobile when i fish and the weight of my batson teamed with a 704 really bogs me down...

You should try the 1205 with the Abu 7000 HSN light and it has balls.

NIB, I'm one of those new to conventional weanies that get frustrated every so often. I do see the benefits of conventional and for me distance isn't even a consideration. The rigs are lighter, more leverage and easier to cast the big plugs.

-spence

[goosefish]

I cast conventionals 100% of the time and I have a lot of fun doing it. However my next rod will be the 1201m wrapped spinner. That way I'II have much more of a weight selection in the plug bag. I fished tonight with a 1201L and a 525mag. I hooked into a real nice fish that bent the pole in a U, ran off a bunch of line and wrapped me in a lobster pot. On another long cast with the lure down 25' I hooked another cow that pulled plenty of drag and the hooks pulled. Fishing mono in these types of depths calls for a stout rod and, maybe, I hate to say it--braid. I would've brought the 1201m but I wanted to cast super strikes so I grabbed the 1201L. With a spinner it wouldn't matter, the super strikes would be in the bag along with the larger plugs. Bringing two rods around gets pretty old and I tend not to do it. For night in and night out plugging a spinning rod makes more sense to me; but if you want a conventional then have one wrapped up---you may never go back again, once you get use to a reel facing up.

[Nebe]

Originally posted by Krispy

What are you looking to do with this new rod, applications?

Krispy, I need a rod that I can whip a giant Pikie out as far as I could throw a danny on my 1208. I want a rod that can really settle in to the 4-5 oz range and not make me feel nervous about snapping it. My 1208 batson just makes me feel a little nervous with anything over 3 oz..

[NIB]

I work hard for a livin so holding a fishin pole is nothing to me.I never consider weight as a factor.The tool weighs what it weighs. I fish allnighters as a rule when i go out i get tired but I would never blame my equipment its not unusual for me to have a bag on long walks that weighs 15-25 lbs an i rarely take it off....I don't see how more leverage comes into play with a reel for the most part from the surf I use the rod for leverage an havin it in my right (stronger)hand is better for me.......As for casting better I would bet in the corse of a night Ur gonna have ur flareups an its gonna cost valuable time maybe 3-5 -10 casts u never know what ur missin...i used to throw jigs in the rivers buy me with conventional I thought it was cool,but mostly because of the line diameter i was usin 50-80 lb braids. but since i went to the spinning rods I am way more productive.I can let line out to drop the lure just as easy with my 706 as I could with any of my abu's or penns....Allright why do Slip,Newell Guy thats right Newell Guy, Jim Powers an many others Including Myself use spinning In the canal with 3-5 oz. jigs cause its easier.An the tackle doesnt get any stouter.I tried both ways for me Its a no brainer.

[In The Surf]

Based on what you want to throw the 1201M is what you want. Lami's are over rated on the lure weight and I would bring it down a good ounce to two. I have the 1201L and I'm very pleased with the rod and feel comfortable throwing 3 and wouldn't be afraid to throw a little under 4 oz. I've put a good bow in it on some large fish in fairly rough conditions at places like BT, the Avenues, SP and PJ and it handled it well. Haven't been bent into a U or anything like that and hopefully won't. It can throw under an ounce but maybe not with the efficiency you'd expect. I've held the 1201M and 1205 but went with the 1201L because I felt it was the most versatile. However I feel the 1201M is next on my list too.

[theSURF121]

GSB120L as far as ten foot'rs. Although, I'll take the GSB132L over that.This will be in the 3/4 to 3 oz range. Anything more than that and you're looking at the "M"'s.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Get the M papa E...

[tlapinski]

Originally posted by goosefish
That is the one and you know it.

ding ding ding!

Eben, i'll be down this weekend. if you want to meet up and throw my 1201M you can. i also have a 9' that would be perfect. the M is THE blank for what you want to do. the only time i have not thrown it is when i get tired of throwing the same thing night after night. i have 2, built one for Rich, and have 3 guys that want them built over the winter for them and they all pretty much fish where we fish. this was another Seawolf recommended rod for me, so it's gotta be right!

[Saltheart]

I think the Lami Arra XRA 1205. Too bad you didn't get the Allstar 1208 in the first place. It handles more than the Batson 1208. Only slightly higher price. The price on the XRA 1205 is high compared to the batsons but its much better.

[DZ]

One more option for you Eben. I have the GSB120L. Great rod but just didn't cut it when I wanted to throw eels... until I took one inch off the tip. Now at 9'11" it is the most versatile rod I carry - it can throw eels, darters, big needles and half ounce
5 1/2" redfins with ease. By removing just one inch it changed the rod completely, it now has more backbone for fishing boulder fields. The GSB 120M in my opinion would be a great conventional stick but forget about casting small plugs any distance with it. Just a note of caution - when removing sections of a blank do it in small increments like a 1/4 inch at a time then check the action. Remove too much tip and you'll have a boat rod in a hurry.

DZ

[tlapinski]

i would advise away from the Arra. too much $$ for what you are getting compared to the M. everyone i have spoken to that owns both end up using the M more.

the M will throw small stuff. i still don't get it when guys say it won't. what the hell are you trying to throw?

[spence]

I think Eben's post should have been entitled "two sticks" since he already has a 1084.

For me it's what two sticks can I have in the car to pick between the best one for the conditions I'm going to fish, and have whichever stick be versatile enough for the night. I can't imagine needing to throw a Mambo Minnow and a giant pikie on the same night that often, but it would be nice if both sticks could toss your average eel well. Paired with the 1084, I would think the m, 1205 etc... would all be fine.

For me I think it's the 1204 and 1205. One spinner the other conventional. I'll use the 1204 more over here in Little Compton/Westport and the 1205 more for Beavertail/Gannset.

-spence