WPCfishing

You will develop a feel for your timing. Stick with it.. Every hit is different... if your going to buy a rod look at the Lews HM85 Magnum Grass. It has great casting distance and accuracy and tons of hook setting power. There's nothing like the thud from a solid set!

Try casting the frog under trees and docks. See if you get bit. Also you have to pattern the bass in vegetation areas. Use a toad for this. Work the vegetation channels and points. Always cast beyond your target and work back into it. If you get a blow up and miss cast the frog to that spot. See what happens. All this in 1-4' depths. Keep the toad on the surface but don't burn it. One important factor is BUY Gambler Toads. Choose what ever color has worked best for you with other baits on the lake you will be fishing. Use a Stanley #4 double hook. Vegetation is noisy when you push through it so try to avoid doing that by bomb casting. Ive set hooks at 150'. It's a blast!

Gotcha.

Thx for the info. I would consider trying the braid if I was sure it would bomb cast well.

Is it coated like Power Pro? Do you know if it will cast well for distance?

lots of Sweetness in that box Hootie... put up a picture of the old tackle box..

I have no idea what the Best one means anymore. The only thing I'm sure of is what works best for me. I've bought and sold rods to find out what I like best. lews HM85, Abu IKE and Villian, Team Diawa, which is a sleeper. I wont mention the rods I've bought and sold. I don't have time.

I do it sometimes. Never had a problem. Even with braid. It's called a noknot.

I have IKE rods that are super sweet to cast and I just bought a Viliian 2.0 for toads and jigs. I was using there Patriarch reels which are very nice buy a bit larger than I like. I switched to Lews a few years ago and I'm not looking back.

Spend your money on some quality line and baits!

What is your budget for a rod?

You just described an Abu Garcia IKE 70-5 power rod. 1/4-3/4 rated. Fantastic Rod, trust me I promise you will agree.

The 6'10" spinner bait Rod is a MH and works well up to 5/8 oz. The 7'6" is a great flipping Rod and will bomb cast frogs and toads. Any one of them that meets your needs will become your favorite rod. You can trust the lure weight ratings on all the rods so you won't have to worry about buying the wrong rod. Also, Give them a call and ask for Bill, he's there product development engineer. He will be glad to speak with you. Call Swanson's, they will usually offer you a discount on a higher priced rod. Based on what you said you were considering I recommend the Grass model.

I just bought a Villian 2.0.. It looks and feels great. To hot to use it. Maybe Saturday. How are you? I have some plastic saved up to send you. They replaced one of my IKE rods not long ago.. Had it in a week. I broke it... They shocked me when they shipped me a new one. Lews has done the same and more. Both Great companies.

Abu Garcia Customer Service is also excellent, a 1st Class Company. Can't say they're as good as Lews. Never experienced the same need or surprise.

I've never had a problem.. If your Rod is scratched up send it back and have the seller replace it. Anyone of those scratches could lead to breakage.

The HM85 is a lighter rod with a smaller diameter Winn grip and higher end guides. They balance a bit better than the Custom which has a chubby EVA grip. My experience with them has been interesting. I find the HM85 will cast a little more accurately with less effort but has a bit less setting power than a Custom at similar ratings. ( the customs are under rated ) The HM85 ratings are more accurate or true. If I had to choose between the two it would have to be the HM85. You can always add hook setting power by buying a second rod with a little more rating for the task at hand. Get the HM85's, buy as many models as you can. The Grass model is great for any Jigs and frogs/toads. The Rod is Super versitale and very sensitive. I pair mine with a Lews TP with 65lb Power Pro or my MB with 40lb Power Pro. I do not use leaders.

And so you should, you paid the price for a great custom rod and excellent service.

I'm a Lews rod and reel guy. I have gotten to know a few of the customer service folks over the last few years. So I call and talked with one of the techs a week or so ago about totally dialing two of my TP reels. I want them at Pro performance. I. was happy with what he has to say and an hour later my reels are on there way. Keep in mind the cost was of no concern to me. I just received an email from Quantum Ship. Lews sent them 2nd day air and didn't charge me one cent.. How could anyone ask for better than that. I feel great about it! They really do care.

I haven't applied the Winn wrap but I can tell you it feels great. My Lews HM85 has the Winn grip. I like it..

My reels are all Lews From Tourney Pro's to Magnesium's. I recently bought an MB for my third Frog/Toad rod. It's a fantastic reel. Very Smooth, cast great, super drag and the brakes are just like my TP. Probably the best buy on the market to date.

Anyone out there using this Rod? In particular the 7' 1/4-1 model VC70-6

For fishing heavy cover I always tie direct. In open water I'll tie on a leader if the water is clear. If its stained I don't bother.

I own more than one: Magnesium, lite, Tourney Pro, MB and BB1. They're all rock solid. Buy the one you like the feel of. The MB was a huge surprise. Casts a mile, it's super smooth and rugged, just add a 95mm handle to complete it. I've been using it for toads and frogs. Smoken good reel. However: If Lews offered only one reel, I would hope for it to be the Tournament Pro/Pro G.

I use Power Pro on all my reels. Some get a P-line CoPo or Stren leader. Works well for me. I have no use for any Flouro. In fact I can't stand the stuff.