Error "#1118 - row size too large" on the first row of the table only
As suggested from this bug report, you may need to look into the following:

File Format


Run SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'innodb_file_format%';

innodb_file_format
innodb_file_format_max

You might see values Antelope, Barracuda


Row Format


Run ALTER TABLE tblname ROW_FORMAT=DYNAMIC; to make the row format Dynamic
Run ALTER TABLE tblname ROW_FORMAT=COMPRESSED; to make the row format Compressed


Suggestions

Workaround: use new InnoDB file format Barracuda and row_format=DYNAMIC

This was added to the change log in MySQL 5.5.29

Perhaps an upgrade to the latest MySQL 5.5. is in order

Give it a Try !!!