Swamp Rat

I have never had any issues with the Launch Frog on heavy mats. Tried it up on Guntersville...no issues at all. Always have one tied on here in South Florida whether in the Everglades, Okeechobee, Istokpoga, Headwaters...never an issue. I have to issue a caveat...I am on Staff with American Baitworks, which owns Scum Frog as well as Snag Proof(been on Staff with Snag Proof since 1996), but will always admit when things aren't good about a product. I know the tour guys have had no issues either, but...if you are then like you said, tweak them until they work for you. The NEW Snag Proof products will be released at the Classic next week, and trust me...these are sweet. I have been fishing them a little while now and I am so thankful American Baitworks bought the company and is improving the product from what the last owners did. I will gladly answer any questions I can, but contacting the company is always best.

Megastrike...but I also put some in the palm of my hands and rub...this will eliminate your human smell on ANY bait, hard or soft plastic, that you touch. I've been using Megastrike for YEARS...

I actually use Yozuri Hybrid and PLine for reaction baits, and have a spool of 20lb Yozuri that I was thinking on one of my 7'6" MH flipping sticks.

Ok, I am a braid guy, in South Florida where heavy cover is king. For punching I obviously will continue to use braid, but was considering switching for other flipping purposes, such as light vegetation, docks, rocks, wood, etc. I know a lot will say go flourocarbon, but was thinking about copoly as I have a lot of luck with it for other purposes, so...opinions?

All the replies are great suggestions. I happen to be on Staff with American Baitworks, so will suggest the Halo new HFX series. They replace the Black Widow series that is my current choice for frogs, and I have been Staff with Snag Proof since 1996, and have 4 dedicated frog rods, and throw frogs 24/7/365. Now, to speak brand agnostic, what you need depends on a few variables, including your height as well as the areas you fish. Also keep in mind, I am in South Florida, and fish Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, etc. where heavy grass is EVERYWHERE. As an example: Thick mats/superheavy cover= I use a 7'11" H with 80lb braid General purpose/only frog rod= 7'3" H with 65lb braid Open water/popping frogs= 7'3" MH with either 50lb or 65lb braid( I have both depending on cover near by) If you are under 5'10" in height, drop back a size, like 7'6" instead of 7'11", 7' instead of 7'3" or 7'4"...you will find it makes control of your casting easier.

Here in South Florida...hollow-bodied frog. In fact, usually have all 3 of my frog rods with me.

Geo, is it the area just north of Holey Land I see on Google Earth?

I used to launch on US41 as well to fish 3 Pines...how is the vehicle security there nowadays?

copoly...more versatile than mono

Aquabound Manta Ray Carbon...and for fishing I always prefer a 270-280cm paddle, not the 240cm that most "guidelines" suggest, especially if you are sitting up high or standing.

I second the Ascend D10T. It was my kayak of choice from BPS as I was recently on Staff with them, and had my choice of any of their kayaks, but for small waters, and ability to stand, this was the best choice. New they are $450. Unfortunately, the GM locally said I had to switch to saltwater only or lose my Staff position, so looking for a new kayak company as we speak.

Attila, just keep throwing your frogs...you will find it pays off BIG time. As to eventually having a box dedicated to frogs, I have 6 3700's filled plus more in a storage tub. Over 90% are Snag Proof, as I am on their Staff, but I also on occasion throw something else. I love the Booyah Pad Crasher Jr...great small frog, as is the Renofsky and the frogs from Ken Daubert. Too many people buy colors they think will match the hatch, but don'y forget that just because YOU think it is a frog, the bass may see it as a frog, mouse, rat, bird, bluegill, etc.....hence why you must have white frogs and black frogs to go with your "natural" colors. Keep froggin'!

3" Stik-O nose hooked with a split shot about 18" up the line Slider rig Snag Proof frog

well, first of all I would make sure any of your 10 baits are different than mine, THEN....while you are parking the truck and trailer I would leave and have 20 baits with me. But, I am kinda twisted like that. 1. Snag Proof Poppin Phattie 2. Snag Proof Bobby's Perfect 3. BPS Stik-O's 4. Lunker City Sluggo's 5. Seibert jig w/swim bait trailer 6. Gambler Big E Z 7. Lunker Lure 1/2 oz buzzbait 8. Charlie's 10" worm 9. Chatterbait white/chartreuse 10. Slider head with Zoom Finesse worm

For me, it really depends...I know, not a great answer. I switch between throwing this presentation on 7' M spinning when using lighter weight and 7' MH casting when heavier weight is needed.

A lot of great and interesting replies...also showing how we all interpret "power" and "finesse" somewhat differently. The 6 rigs I ALWAYS have with me are at polar extremes. You will always find at least 2 frog rods and 1 rod with 10" or bigger worm/snake in my boat or kayak, all 3 having 65# braid. You will also always find 2 rods with 6# copolymer running either Slider head or texas rigged w/4-6" worm, small lizard, or small 3" craw on one, and 4" senko/fluke on the other. The final rod is a 7' M w/20# braid running a small swim jig. If it is mostly cloudy or rainy I will go to a bigger swim jig on the same rod. I hardly ever throw anything in the middle because everyone else does, and the fish know those baits...doesn't mean they don't work, but I prefer throwing smaller or larger versions of those baits. I have another 20 rods to chose from to throw all kinds of things, but this is my preference.

I have been running the BPS Crankin' Stick for the last 4 years, and I love it. I don't throw deep cranks, but I throw shallow cranks, square bills, wake baits, jerk baits and traps on them for the most part, and have been using them lately with spinnerbaits as well. I used to use glass rods, but found that I prefer the glass/carbon hybrids better for my usage.

I have had excellent results with a M Carbonlite and 20lb braid. I usually use spinning for weightless and wacky rigs, but have 6lb copolymer on those, so when near heavier cover use the braid on the casting rod and haven't had any problems. One thing to make things easier, think about upgrading the bearings in your casting reels with higher end bearings, like the ones from Boca Bearings...makes things a LOT easier to cast than stock bearings...usually.

Listen to these guys. There are times I prefer doing the bank thing instead of launching a boat or kayak. And as to where to fish, in Dade and Broward where I do most of my bank fishing, the best places are anywhere there is water...lol. You might find a secret spot only you have fished, so take some rods, lures, and cooler with drinks and food, and explore.

I have been using 6lb Maxima Ultra Green for years, but just spooled up Gamma Poly Flex 6lb on 2 of my rigs and so far so good. I never use flouro because it really isn't necessary here in the tannic waters of South Florida, so either 6lb copolymer or 12lb braid are what I prefer.

I launched at Slim's, and all of my fish came on swim jigs and Snag Proof frogs...couldn't buy a fish on anything else. Reiterating what everyone said, look for clean water. The winds have been hurting also, so keep that in mind.

Vicdougle, great job. Having run kayaks for the last 5 years, and because I am about to turn 61, I have been thinking about grabbing something like this. I also will make it mine with modifications, and you gave me a couple of additional ideas.

I used to be on Staff with BPS, and the D10T is MUCH better than the FS10 for standing, and is much more stable.

I would add a couple of color options to go with the sexy shad. I will throw 3 main colors...Black/Blue, Chartreuse/White, and a Bluegill pattern. I also use 3 different soft plastic trailers...curly tail, swimbait, and craw. Lately I have also used a willow blade as a trailer, especially a gold blade on the Chart/White jig to imitate a Golden Shiner.

I have been bass fishing for 50 years, and will say that I love catching bass on whatever. But, keep in mind that bass are ambush predators, and that they love to attack from below. I ALWAYS have a hollow body frog on a rod, if not 2, and always have a buzzbait tied on as well. Depending on weather, I might also have a topwater treble-hooked hardbait tied on, but not always. A hollow body frog and a buzzbait will always work, especially on days ending in "y". Detroit, just fish them exclusively a couple of trips, do not take anything else with you. Fish topwater, look for patterns, and you will have very reliable tools and techniques to add to your repertoire.