BassinLou

The point that I think we are all trying to reach is we want to minimize the stress of the fish so they can live to fight another day. The hold your breath tip was not meant to be literal. Yes, they are just a fish. However, I see it more than that and I respect that creature. So if I can release it unharmed the better I feel.

There was a thread on this topic at least two weeks ago. Do a quick search and your question will definitely be answered.

I have the 3rd Gen STX and I really enjoy it. You can tune just right with cent/mag brakes. Very light but at the same time a very strong reel. My frogging reel is a Gen 2 SX reel. It's a work horse for that application. Its a magnetic braking system and once you dial it in right you will have no problems throwing frogs and worrying about backlashes. Now if you are interested in the Gen 3 SX, its 25% lighter than the Gen 2's and still has the same muscle. I would lean towards the SX if you are going to use it for just frogging. Besides it's a little cheaper than the STX.

Sweet.. Congrats, its always awesome to one up your personal best.

I also have a rage micro guide rod. Do I enjoy this rod? Yes. However it will be my last micro. I find my self during my outing picking out loops or half hitches that occur during certain situations that are a pain to get undone. I have to cut the braid sometimes and retie. I never have that problem with regular guides.

The hold your breath tip is a great tip. I live by that one. When I bank fish for example, on my fishing pack I know that off my left hip is the scale and measuring tape. My phone is attached to me and ready for pics. If for whatever reason I feel I am taking too long, I do not hesitate to put the fish in the water and wet the gills and give it a chance to breath a bit. Right after that, I weigh it, snap a pic, and quickly release revived and ready to fight for another day. The better organized you are when you catch the big one the smoother the transition to record the experience. It pains me to see guys with there go pro cameras catch a beautiful fish, drag it across the bank, let it flop in the grass and then run several yards to their car or house, or wait for someone, to bring a scale. I understand they are excited, however they have to be a little bit more conscious on the stress that cause to the fish.

The mono advised is a good one 12-15lbs is a good start. You also have to train your thumb many, many, times. Make sure you have the reel set up correctly. Brakes, tension knob, and good practice weight. If you go too light on your practice weight it will make you prone to backlashing more. A heavier practice weight will allow you to cast with less effort and thus train your thumb accordingly. As you get better in casting the heavier practice weight move to a lighter weight that you are able to cast and manage. The backyard concept is a nice place to start, if you have a roomy backyard. If you don't, I would recommend an open lake where you can cast from shore with no obstructions. Yes, having the proper line to start with is needed but if you do not have the technique down it does not matter what line you use, you will backlash all the time. Imho. Good luck.

I agree with WRB. Just because the fish is still swimming true does not mean its not wounded. Regardless, that poor bass days are numbered.

Cool story, I would have loved to witness that.

I really enjoy my red and black stradic. I have had for over 3 yrs and it has not disappointed me yet. It's caught plenty of fish and everything is smooth about it. The only thing I am not to thrilled about til this day is the knob on the handle. If I could switch the knobs from this red black stradic and replace it with knob from the older white and gold stradics then it would be simply perfect for me.

#50 PP, megastrike, and I use Gen 2 Abu Sx, with a Heavy Rage 7ft 4inch rod and your ready for battle.

I used the split shot rig for the first time yesterday, and I did ok. 4 bass in an hour. Its just like fishing a light c-rig.

You are a scary flipper. LOL.

I just came home from my fishing playground using the split shot rig that I just read today from another thread. You gotta love BR. I caught 4 bass and one exotic (jaguar capote) all inside an hour. Awesome.

I just picked this up last week although I knew about it for quite a while. Believe it or not while frog fishing I was not to concerned if I could walk the frog or not. I still caught plenty of nice bass. Last week, I wanted to see what the big deal was on walking a frog. I made some adjustments, and remembered what Glenn said. He said to walk a bait, do it to a beat of an imaginary drum. So that is exactly what I did. In my mind I played a drum, boom...boom....boom and as I looked at the frog it walked with each beat. Icing on the cake was that the bass were destroying the frog. Biggest that day went for 4lbs. Since then all I do is play the drum when I use the frog.

12-15lb Yozuri on the b/c. 20lb PP braid on the spinner with a #10 lb Yozuri or FC leader.

Congrats man. I am happy for you. You should feel proud for working hard and getting what you want. Good for you. Enjoy.

Imho anything above 3/0 on a 4inch fluke is overkill. I feel you are sacraficing action. If the op is missing that many fish, it could probably be a technique issue vs tackle issue. Are you anticipating the strike when you see the fish attempting to take the bait? If so, that could be your culprit. You can be setting the hook prematurely. Another possibility is that the bass are juvenile and are just slapping at it. When a fish takes a fluke especially a 4incher you know it.

Take your pick. Swimbaits,frogs, poppers, an array of soft plastics, jigs, spinner baits, you see my point. Yes, the time of year will dictate what you should focus on but it does not dismiss the baits mentioned. What part of Florida would you be residing in? Are you primarily bank fishing or out of boat? The answer to those questions will dictate the appoach you should take. However, your options are limitless. Welcome to the fishing capital of the world. Enjoy your stay.

^^^^^ what he said^^^^^

Try using a fluke that resembles the forage of your area thru the grass.

Thanks MCS, I am in. Too bad jumped in late. I slayed them in the glades this past weekend and I had some good ones. Oh well. Thanks for having me. Good luck to everyone.

This has been a hot topic lately. Usually around this time year too. My best advice to you is, use the search feature that was recommended to you earlier and read until you are content. Then go fish using the frog over and over again. Trust me, once you catch one, you can catch another.

Is this tourney amongst you three guys or can I get on this? Sounds like fun.

I have been dealing with another orthopedic issue not related to yours, however related to the elbow. After doing therapy for several weeks now, the culprit of my issue has been poor biomechanics. Listen to the suggestions given to you. Your issue sounds acute, so dealt with immediately will not bring long lasting effects. Ice, rest, massage. If the underlying problem persists and it turns into chronic issue, then that is were problems begin. Use the b/c for a little while then switch to the a spinner for a while until you build up the endurance on the b/c. Good luck.