BassinLou

My condolences to the Fellow family. I am not in the tournament scene so I was unaware. Very sad, tragedy. Mike I just wanted to comment, since I have been on BR, for a couple years now, I have followed your progress. You step up your game every year. Very impressive. Cashing a check since March is an impressive accomplishment. Congrats.

Wise choice.

I drive in Miami everyday also and its survival of the fittest. I take a vacation outside of South FL, and where ever I drive I find myself driving aggressive, it takes me a little while to acclimate myself in the new non-aggressive environment and relax. LOL...

I second this. The counter weight could have fallen out

You don't know what your missing if you hate wearing sunglasses. A decent pair of polarized glasses will change your approach to fishing.

I am glad this thread is still around. I wanted to pass along this info. Yesterday I was at the tire shop to get a car tire patched. While the technician was working on the tire. This thread popped into my head. I asked him what is the minimum trailer tire size, where you can replace the tire and still utilize the rim. He told me, that at about the 13" size it's still possible to change, however anything less than that, you have to replace both the rim and tire. Just passing the info along. It may be helpful to someone.

Sounds like a SirSnook question. He will lead you in the right direction. When it comes to the keys I am more of an offshore guy when it comes to saltwater stuff.

Like I have answered elsewhere. I have narrowed down my 2 fishing lines of choice. For braid original PP and Yozuri hybrid for the other.

Sounds like you picked a winning combination. Enjoy!!

I would look at the Lews Speed spool. I think the rebate is still in effect, so the reels will be had for $80. That would be the minimum level of Lews reels I would start with.

Colt, that was an important detail you left out... lol... I am assuming if you are fishing a frog you are utilizing braid. If so, what # are you throwing. If its 50lb or higher. You may have to punch for them. That is, securing a nice hefty weight to a weight stop with a hefty hook and small profile bait. Break through the weedy layer up top to reach them down below. I am assuming you are fishing from the bank, so although this technique will better serve you on a boat, it's not unheard of from the bank. Your outfit must be well equipped. Your outfit will have to be at least MH, ideally H. Your reel, 7.1:1 to reel those fish quickly out of the cover.

Here is the best sun protection combination. Other's have mentioned it already. Start from your head and work down. A great sun hat. Baseball caps don't cut it on those really hot sunny days. Your neck is exposed for long periods of time. Great pair of polarized glasses. A must for eye protection. A buff, covers what the sunglasses do not. An outdoor long sleeve shirt. With the materials that are being utilized today, you get the best of both worlds. Sun protection and a minute cooling effect. A great pair of sun gloves. Only your fingers from the middle knuckle up will be exposed. These things are so light you don't know you even have them on. Pants. Similar to the shirts. They are very light weight extremely comfortable and offer excellent sun protection. Lastly, your feet. for me, a good pair of socks, and some crocs and my feet do not get burned. With what I described above, you are covered from head to toe no real need for sun block unless the buff doesn't work for you. Other than that only half of your fingers will be exposed. Can't ask for better sun protection than that. Oh....lastly. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you are out fishing for let's say 6 hours and you have not pee'd at all. It's a pretty good indicator you are dehydrated, even though you may not be thirsty. If you do pee and it looks like applejuice you are most likely very dehydrated. Proper hydration is critical for fishing and dealing with this summer's heat.

COlt, this topic has come up alot this summer. As I have mentioned before, I loooove fishing the frog. However, I have also learned, if the frog bite is very very slow or nonexistent, i do not continue to pound the frog down their throats. So when the frog bite is dead, I switch gears. I try to find the "bite" throwing other productive baits. You may be surprised how different your outing may be if you did such a simple transition. The good news is the frog bite will return. When? Only time on the water will help you determine that. Good luck.

I have the Lews Tournament MG and it casts great. My questions to the OP are the following. Have you properly adjusted the spool tension knob? Crankbaits can be a hefty so the weight off the lure isn't the issue i don't think. The other thing I can think of is, your over powering the cast. Magnetic breaks are great in slowing down the spool on the back end of a cast. Centri brakes are the opposite.

Must be a spro thing. I fish booyah or LiveTarget depending on where I am going and I have never had the skirts melt.

I agree, TTpro great multipurpose reel. Love , the 7.1:1 ratio for burning baits. Tournament MG, great workhorse reel as well. Use it for plastics, spinnerbaits, open water to light cover frogging.

Your hollow bodies melted?? Or your soft body frogs melted onto your hollow bodies? I have never seen or heard of a hollow body frog melting before.

Thanks Mike. Also I love my HawgTech's they look Sweeeet!! on my 2 Curado I's.

Nice fish Welds!! You were catching them here in FL and now up in NY. WTG!!

Scott F, posted above exactly what you need to do.

I have the exact same rod. 736 Champion. I use it exclusively for frogging though. Considering its a heavy, I find no problem with its weight. I throw for 8hrs without a problem. Great rod. If you want something lighter the next best is the 735 , as you have tried already as well. So you will have to find the middle ground of what is most important to you. More backbone or less weight? Other Dobyn owners will chime in shortly with more experience on these rods, listen to what they say. Good luck.

For spinners, I would use 15-20lb braid. It will handle nicely. As far what braid. I use Power Pro, and soon eithers will chime in with a host of other braids. Goodluck with your choice.

Hootie, LMG is alive and well. He told me to tell you, that you will know where to find him.

21"r's that are healthy are usually high 4's or low 5's. Your fish looked healthy.

As far as what you described about the places you will be fishing. A 6'8" will suit you. Those over hangs are tougher to maneuver with longer rods. Eventhough a longer rod will help you in frogging and jigging applications. But you have to protect your equipment first. As far as Rage rods go. My goto frogging rod was a 7ft 3" H Rage. I frogged with it for a year. I feel this rod has its advantages and disadvantages. After 2 Rage rods were sent back to St. Croix for various things, I decided to part from the Rage series and upgrade to the St. Croix LTB's never looked back. I know many members on here love their Rage Rods. Maybe you will be one of them. Goodluck and enjoy.