Ron Arra Popping rods - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

PetDoc · 07-05-2002, 12:17 PM

Is anyone familiar with the Ron Arra Popping graphite rods sold through StripersOnline. I have heard a lot of good things about Lamiglass rods on the board and was wondering if these production rods were worth a look at. Thanks.

mikecc · 07-05-2002, 08:02 PM

They are sold thru most shops. they are one of the best casting rods on the market.
Most guys that have them are looking for distance and not back bone.the 132-2 tops out about 4oz. 1204 is a sweet rod for 2-1/4 oz gibbs

MAC · 07-06-2002, 05:55 AM

I have 4 Arra s', they are awesome, depending what you want to do with the rod ie: plug, jig,chunck there is a model available. The 132 2 is my favorite plugging rod

fishweewee · 07-07-2002, 05:58 AM

Ditto on the XRA 132-2. My favorite heavy popping rod, hands down. My go-to stick in big water. Best distance rod and a great fish fighter!

Mike P · 07-07-2002, 10:16 AM

I have 3--the 1322 and 126 1MH in conventional, and the 1204 in spinning. Another 1322 in spinning is on my wish list

They are great rods, that balance casting and fish-fighting qualities. They load easy but still take a nice parabolic bend under a load--at least the 3 models I have do. Not cheap, but they are top quality, as Lamiglas resolved a bad production run that resulted in breakage of certain 1322 and 1204 blanks.'

As others said, the 1322 is a medium-to-heavy plug/light jig rod rated for 1-5 oz with 2-3 being optimum. The 126 1MH is a heavy plug/Canal jig/medium weight and bait rod, and probably my favorite rod of the entire line---certainly the one I'd want in my hands with a 50 on the other end. And the 1204 is a sweet, all around light-to-medium plug/light jig rod, rated 3/4 to 2-1/2 oz but easily capable of throwing 3, with 1-1/2 to 2 oz being optimum.

PetDoc · 07-07-2002, 11:34 AM

Thanks for all the input. I will check with Mike to see if he carries them. I was thinking about a custom rod but most people who build them seemed to be swamped for the season. The Ron Arra rod should do the trick. Don't forget to save some fish for the rest of us.

JohnR · 07-09-2002, 12:26 PM

PetDoc, I have a XRA1205 that I built and I really enjoy it... Great rod.

If you can get a custom, it's the way to go even if you need to wait a few weeks longer than you want becuase you can get the rod dialed in the way you want it. Besides, you'll have a custom fitted rod for the fall run

Hey FWW - You in the WPP or something

?

PetDoc · 07-09-2002, 12:50 PM

What is the one coventional reel you would match with that rod (1204). Only one please. Thanks and please save some fish for the rest of us.

JohnR · 07-09-2002, 01:00 PM

If it were me

, Calcutta 400 or 6500 MagElite well tuned up - both levelwind

PetDoc · 07-09-2002, 01:33 PM

That's two. Gotta have one favorite for that rod.

JohnR · 07-09-2002, 01:55 PM

Depends, eeling (that is still a good eel stick) I'd say the Calcutta400 but for plugging distance, a TUNED Mag Elite might be the way to go. The Calcutta is a more solid reel in my opinion but a MagElite with the goodies ain't shabby either, and parts are fairly easy to get if it does break... The tuned ME is with ceramic bearings and Penn HT100 drags trimmed & tossed in. I'm almost too afraid to get a set of ceramics for the Calcutta....

If I HAD to choose (I've been staring at the screen for 60 seconds trying to make up my mind)? Lately, I just might go with the CS MagElite AFTER the goodies... Stock from the box is no question the Calcutta 400...

chris L · 07-09-2002, 02:47 PM

I have a XCRA 1322-2 coming to me in the next few days . Cant wait ti try that out . Going to fit an Abu 7000cs pro rocket on it . Has anyone heard of the Abu 7200 cs ?

mikecc · 07-09-2002, 05:32 PM

Hate to say it John but the Mag Elite, Blue Yonder & Rocket are all discontinued.
Limited supplies

PetDoc · 07-09-2002, 07:18 PM

Found this site in Australia that carries Abu Garcia reels for anyone interested.
http://www.letsgofishin.com.au/ They may have some of the discontinued models.

JohnR · 07-09-2002, 08:56 PM

Mike still has a few as does Don...

Of course, I sold one of mine to Smokey before finding out they were discontinued

I've been using my Mag E lately with the ceramic bearings and it kicks arse eeling. It seems to get an extra 10 feet at the end of the cast wich is a big difference