1201 l - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

j35 · 09-14-2006, 04:34 PM

i just got a 1201 l (after snapping an "old" 1204). was wondering what your opinions are on the upper end for this stick. it is a fantastic pencil rod in 10'. thanks

jim sylvester · 09-14-2006, 08:47 PM

imo a 1201 M is the best stick period

never had an application for the 1201 L as i fish boulder fields

libassboy · 09-14-2006, 09:11 PM

Im with ya Jim, i love my 1201m very versitile, strong, and just the action i like.

SeaWolf · 09-15-2006, 08:21 AM

the gsb1201L can handle comfortably up to 2.5 oz. from time to time up to 3, but that's pushing it a little. perfect from 1.5-2.5. good luck with it.

1201M better for casting lures from 2-4oz on a regular basis.

Springer · 09-15-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j35

i just got a 1201 l (after snapping an "old" 1204). was wondering what your opinions are on the upper end for this stick. it is a fantastic pencil rod in 10'. thanks

Either the 1201L or the Arra 1203 is going to be the next rod I build for plugging the sandy beaches of DE. I am curious to know why you switched over to the 1201L after snapping your 1203 (old 1204)?

reelecstasy · 09-15-2006, 11:18 AM

Just finished a 1201M spiral wrapped conv... casts shweet, can't wait to feel a fish on it...

Saltheart · 09-15-2006, 12:29 PM

Upper end 3 OZ. Good versatile rod.

j35 · 09-15-2006, 01:20 PM

thanks everyone who replied. i switched to the 1201L because i like a rod that can still throw smaller stuff, but also a rod that can fairly comfortably throw 3oz. the 1203 could throw plugs a mile, but was a little to weak for what i was looking for. i find it much easier to work pencils with this blank. over the winter i am going to attempt to build myself a 1201M-- will be my first try at building.

Redsoxticket · 09-15-2006, 01:51 PM

I agree.

I acquired both rods in the same order with the allstar 1088 in-between. If it is a matter of wrapping your own rod for personal satisfaction go for it but if you want a rod wrapped to perfection by a reliable builder go with Mike at M&Ds. The cost of materials, equipment and your time will far exceed M&D's cost. Use your time to go fishing.

Springer · 09-15-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j35

thanks everyone who replied. i switched to the 1201L because i like a rod that can still throw smaller stuff, but also a rod that can fairly comfortably throw 3oz. the 1203 could throw plugs a mile, but was a little to weak for what i was looking for. i find it much easier to work pencils with this blank. over the winter i am going to attempt to build myself a 1201M-- will be my first try at building.

Just to clarify, does this mean that the 1201L or 1203 throws the lighter stuff better? I am looking for something that will throw 1 oz swimmers well and a SS darter (close to 2.5 oz I think) well, and everything in between. I also prefer it to be a bit parobolic in its action. I have it narrowed down to the 1201L, XRA 1203 and RS SW1207 with the 2 lamis getting the nudge. Sorry for the Highjack, but I think you have a lot of the info I am looking for.

Thanks

SeaWolf · 09-15-2006, 03:30 PM

lami gsb-series rods are moderate in action. lami xra/ron arra's are moderately/fast actions, with the xra1084 and xra1204 being fast action and only 2 like that in the series. rs sw1207 will be similar to the 1204 in action.

if you want a faster action, the 1207's are nice rods up to 2.5 oz on occasion. they handle light stuff well too. xra1203 is similar to the 1201L in action, but a little faster and i personally feel the 1203 lacks a backbone to turn a moderate fish in its stock length. the gsb1201L is nicer for medium sized eels and lures, espeically when you throw an occasional pencil popper. looks like you want the 1201L.

Springer · 09-15-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaWolf

looks like you want the 1201L.

I think you are right. Just finished reading the book The Sea Wolf, it is now on the list of favorites.

Thanks

j35 · 09-15-2006, 05:44 PM

you definetly want the 1201L. sweet stick.

In The Surf · 09-15-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j35

thanks everyone who replied. i switched to the 1201L because i like a rod that can still throw smaller stuff, but also a rod that can fairly comfortably throw 3oz. the 1203 could throw plugs a mile, but was a little to weak for what i was looking for. i find it much easier to work pencils with this blank. over the winter i am going to attempt to build myself a 1201M-- will be my first try at building.

The 1201 L is the blank you want. I have both the L and the M. I throw 3 with mine with out issue. In a pinch when I needed to toss a little more it did it. I wasn't laying into it but it was more than lobbing it. It's a great beach rod and for areas without boulders and lots of underwater structure. Haven't been using it that much because the places I have been fishing more often warrant the M.

Skitterpop · 09-15-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim sylvester

imo a 1201 M is the best stick period

never had an application for the 1201 L as i fish boulder fields

What are you two favorite rods (lengths and weight capacity) Jim for boulder fields?

Thanks,
Mike

East Tide · 09-16-2006, 08:12 AM

I just finished a 120-1L. I messed around with it for a couple days and chopped about 6" from the tip. Now it feels right. I am going to use it to fish eels in the ditch and think without the wimpy tip it will be able to handle 4-4.5oz jigs nicely as well.

I have a 120-1M that didn't make the cut for this trip (leave MO for 3 weeks at the ditch tonight). It's fully wrapped but I'm going to re-do it. It feels pretty good as well.

My favorite all round rod for 3-5 (not pencils though) is a Sabre 1208 cut back to 9.5 from the tip. I hope the 120-1L is it's replacement.

For what it's worth I think Mike Thomas from M&D's and his crew use the 1L to fish plugs at the ditch. I talked to him a bit before building mine.

Use NCP white wraps with any combo of colors, it really looks sweet! I'll post some pics when I get back to ma.

Dave

jettyjockey18 · 09-16-2006, 08:32 AM

i have the factory lami xs101ms spinner which is built on the 1L blank and that stick is rated 2-4 oz...i routinely throw 4 oz sluggo jigs without issue and 5 during a raging moon tide (although it does groan a little)...

j35 · 09-16-2006, 10:38 AM

just to let you guys know, although m&d's is a fantastic shop, and i have purchased many, many plugs, etc there, and that mike is a fantastic guy, i had originally had the 1203 built at cms in new bedford. i snapped it throwing a 2oz spook into a stiff east wind. when i explained what happened to the guys at cms, they replaced it, no questions asked. they replaced it with the 1201L at my request. stand up guys over there, and they wrap a nice stick.

jim sylvester · 09-16-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

What are you two favorite rods (lengths and weight capacity) Jim for boulder fields?

Thanks,
Mike

skitter

1201 M throws large plugs (3oz) very well and can get a good size eel out without holding back, very rarely throw an eel off the hook becasue it loads so well

moderate action...very parabolic....you're fighting the fish with the WHOLE rod and not just the top 1/3 as you would a mod/fast action rod (ie 1204, loomis rainshadow)

the rod has enough backbone to manhandle 30#+ fish in the rocks

by far the best rod i have ever used

thats all I use for the rocks....would not even consider anu other rod

I guess thats why its the most popular rod in Montauk as well....same terrain as Rhody