any of you throwing the new SSU?

[hyefisherman2]

if so do you like it? what do you have to say about it? was it worth that extra money to step up from a gsb or ron arra?

im thinking about going with a SSU 120 1MH or 120 1M and having it wrapped this off season.

other then the obvious reasons between the two blanks which is more suited for surf? for an all around use...from topwater-eels-jigs-plugs. i have felt the 120 1mh at shops and it feels a bit stiff to be able to work a pencil with ease. also it seemed like it would be a bit over kill for my light 1oz jigs/plugs and/or eels. thoughts on that?

thanks guys

hye

[Mike P]

Red Top and M&Ds sell them for about the same price as the XRA rods. Why some shops are getting close to $400 for them is a mystery. Red Top has a custom 1M on the rack for $340. I'm sure CMS can probably bring one in for less.

I'm also pretty sure that the one piece 10' blanks are the SS 120 1L and 1M. It's the factory rods that are labeled M and MH in that length.

The SSU 120 MS factory rod, or the 1L blank, should serve the purpose for general use. I'd probably only use the SSU 120 1MH or the 1M blank if the Canal was on the menu.

[numbskull]

I like my 1205 better than my SSU1201mh but the former is conventional, the later spinning so the comparison is imperfect. Also, I built both but do not feel I got the optimum out of the SSU blank. The SSU does cast very well and has plenty of pulling power but has a more damped feel to it (even with small titanium guides) than the Arra.

[angler229]

I have the ssu 1201m and its a fantastic blank. It is pretty versatile, awesome for eels and plugs up to 3.5 ounces. Also I've done a little bit of jigging with it to 3 ounces and it will do that in a pinch, though if you want something more to jig the 1201mh is the way to go. As far as pencil the 1201m is works them with ease but I've seen guys use the 1201mh without any problem. I think it is worth the money and from what I've seen the price is about the same as the arra in most local shops.

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Red Top and M&Ds sell them for about the same price as the XRA rods. Why some shops are getting close to $400 for them is a mystery. Red Top has a custom 1M on the rack for $340. I'm sure CMS can probably bring one in for less.

I'm also pretty sure that the one piece 10' blanks are the SS 120 1L and 1M. It's the factory rods that are labeled M and MH in that length.

The SSU 120 MS factory rod, or the 1L blank, should serve the purpose for general use. I'd probably only use the SSU 120 1MH or the 1M blank if the Canal was on the menu.

well im asking about the 1m or 1mh and this rod wouldnt be used in the canal...got plenty of rods for that.

[Mike P]

Well, Steve, it's like this--I've never made a cast with the light SSU, and while I've fished the 1MH factory rod a bit, I haven't used it enough to give it a fair review. I've thrown 10" RonZ eels on a 5 oz head on it and didn't snap it. But the biggest fish I have on it is a whopping 35".

If I haven't thrown it, I can't help you out unless I fake it--and that wouldn't be helping you out--it'd just be trying to show off.

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by Mike P

If I haven't thrown it, I can't help you out unless I fake it--and that wouldn't be helping you out--it'd just be trying to show off.

dont you already do that alot mike?

[Mike P]

Hey, no fair deleting a post when I'm answering it

If it's not going to be used in the Canal--go with the lighter one rated 1-4. I think the 2-6 would be overkill unless you were fishing boulder fields.

[hyefisherman2]

ok so the SSU 120 1m....figured

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'm also pretty sure that the one piece 10' blanks are the SS 120 1L and 1M. It's the factory rods that are labeled M and MH in that length.
.

I don't know if they sell an L (I think they do), but there is definitely a 10' M and MH blank. I bought the latter and looked at the M at M&D's. Good price, too.

[hyefisherman2]

lamiglas does make a L its rated 1-3

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I don't know if they sell an L (I think they do), but there is definitely a 10' M and MH blank. I bought the latter and looked at the M at M&D's. Good price, too.

You're right--I thought they only had 2 10' blanks since they only make 2 10' factory rods. But there are 3 blanks--the 1L rated 1-3, the 1M rated 1-4 and the 1MH rated 2-6.

One might well wonder why they need one blank rated 1-3 and a second rated 1-4

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You're right--I thought they only had 2 10' blanks since they only make 2 10' factory rods. But there are 3 blanks--the 1L rated 1-3, the 1M rated 1-4 and the 1MH rated 2-6.

One might well wonder why they need one blank rated 1-3 and a second rated 1-4

probably fake ratings...the L probably throws 0.5-2 and the M probably throws 1-3 or something like that.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You're right--I thought they only had 2 10' blanks since they only make 2 10' factory rods. But there are 3 blanks--the 1L rated 1-3, the 1M rated 1-4 and the 1MH rated 2-6.

One might well wonder why they need one blank rated 1-3 and a second rated 1-4

I suspect the high number is 1 oz over what the blank really likes. I've been told by someone who owns a custom M that it doesn't go much past 3oz and the sweet spot is closer to 2. The sweet spot on the MH I own seems to be in the high 2's- low 3's (though I'm not strong enough to really load a blank with 4oz so it might be different for others).

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I've been told by someone who owns a custom M that it doesn't go much past 3oz and the sweet spot is closer to 2. The sweet spot on the MH I own seems to be in the high 2's- low 3's (though I'm not strong enough to really load a blank with 4oz so it might be different for others).

can anyone else confirm this? thanks

[angler229]

Personally I think the m loves 3 ounces but not over 3 1/2, sweet spot in my opinion is 2 1/2-3.

[reelecstasy]

I wrapped a 120 1MH-spinning, and I love it. Very very similar to the gsb120 1M. Almost identical in action. The SSU is a lighter stick with the same bang, a little softer. I would say the sweet spot is around 3.5..
these 2 rods are in my top 3 rotation....

[SeaWolf]

the SSU120MH has about the same lure rating as a 1205, with being to throw on the lower end better than a 1205. i've thrown up to 5 w/ my MH, but you start to lob the rob rather than truely cast it. ideal top end is about 4. it'll throw 2.5-3.5 all day long. the M is a little softer and maybe more ideal for pencils. it's about the same power as a GSB1201L, but a little faster in action. it'll handle 3, but not too much more than that. the L is a soft rod. it's softer than the GSB1201L. i wouldnt push that one much more than 2-2.5 oz. the SSU1081M is one sweet rod. i've thrown 3oz with it w/o a problem.

[hyefisherman2]

both sound very nice...i will have to head over to mike at M&D's and see for myself. because i really will not know which rod will suit my needs better till i try fishing them both.

thanks for the help, keep em coming...