bunz559

This was posted so long ago, but recently started fishing more again. Thought I would chime in for future readers if they ever search and find this thread. At some time or another, I ended up with both rods. As stratos4me mentioned above, I would absolutely agree. I have used the 7'2 H for a number of things: jigs, swim jigs, bladed jigs, Keitechs, 6in Magdrafts, open water popping frogs, Whopper Ploppers, and 10 inch worms. It's quite the versatile rod. Plenty of sensitivity, backbone, and a moderate enough tip that really allows you to use as a primary or backup rod to almost anything in its weight class. On the other hand, the 7'3 XH is very much a broom stick. I really like the tip for walking frogs and fishing them in heavy cover but there's just too much backbone for anything else I normally fish. I have also thrown the 6in Magdraft on it but the stiff back bone on it just makes for an awkward cast. I don't think the rod could handle stepping up to the 8in unfortunately. While the 7'3 XH had become my dedicated frog rod over what I was previously using, that's all I really only use it for. U could, if there was nothing else on deck, use it for other purposes like jigs, flipping and pitching but it would not be the ideal rod. Thanks for all the input.

I typically run about a 6-10ft leader. I don't really measure. Sometimes, I run a longer leader depending on body of water.

Hello Forum, it's been awhile since I have posted or asked a question. I've taken a long break from fishing because of personal life reasons. Recently I have been getting back into fishing, maybe once a week. I have a bunch of Expride A rods. Particularly, I was fishing the 7'2 MH and and 7'2 H both combo'ed with reels spooled with 40lb braid tied to a 12lb fluoro leader. I cannot remember if I used to use straight fluoro for these rods, but my knot kept catching the guides on both setups. I used the FG knot. I retied several times. Checked the knots throughout the session. Made sure I clipped off any excess lines at the knot and even took a lighter to it. I even tied on a longer leader so mitigate the knot catching on casts. But on retrieve, the knot would almost always catch a guide. Guides are straight, I should mention. Are these rods no good for knot to leader? I don't believe the Expride A's are considered micro guides... Any tips, tricks, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I don't throw anything smaller than an 8XD on the Irod unfortunately. I'd imagine it could chuck a 6xd just fine and a 5xd in a pinch. It's a pretty stout crank rod, not much a noodle. So getting it to load up on casts will take a slightly heavier bait.

Corrected. LOL! ?

I have a 6'10 Expride and it's an awesome rod. Can't say I've tried casting anything that light on it. Lightest would be a Vision 110 and Megabass Pop Max which are 1/2 ounce. But I couldn't imagine it not doing well with 1/4oz, I wouldn't hesitate to try.

I'm currently spooled with 20lb FC Sniper. Has worked great so far.

I have 2 rods I use to throw chatterbaits, the Orochi XX EMTF and Diablo Spec R. I also have a Dobyns 735cb that I previously used also but didn't really like the tip for the application. I preferred the Dobyn's 734c XP. Of the 2 Orochis, I actually really like the EMTF more, but it seems slightly under-powered when casting 1/2 ounce bladed jigs. The Diablo is a great middle ground.

I have 1 light, Megabass Flyssa, and 1 medium light, Megabass Addermine, and they are both used for light finesse applications. While the Addermine is my dedicated dropshot rod, the Flyssa has served for smaller ned rigs, dropshots, 3in and under swimbaits, and weightless t-rig worms. The Flyssa is an awesome rod! They both have also served me for pan fishing as well. I also have the Expride Medium and it's a fantastic do it all spinning rod. When I can only take one spinning rod, I usually go for the Expride. Neds, dropshot, weightless senkos, flukes, and jerkbaits are all great applications. I've even used it for vertical bait-and-wait fishing for striper here in California. LOL!

Both great rods! I have 1 of each and can say that the 7ft Medium spinning is one of my favorites. When fishing on other people's boats and I can only bring 1 spinning rod, the Expride Medium is my go to. I have it paired with a CI4 and it's an awesome combo. Can't wait to try out the Vanford.

If you're fishing open water, a medium-heavy or heavy action rod with a nice tip will work perfect. I throw frogs on a Expride Heavy action in open water and light cover. Heavier cover I throw them on an Expride Extra-Heavy.

7.x will work perfect for bladed jigs and spinners. Lowest I would go is 6.x.

Swimbait rods are pretty stout and a lot of rod. I would say that it'll work if that's all you have and are fishing with. But is it preferable? Probably not.

All my 5.X gear ratio reels are only used for deep cranks (8xd and larger) and swimbaits. All the above you mentioned are either fished on 6.X or 7.X in my arsenal.

You can definitely use it for other line types. I usually use the double SD knot for my larger swimbaits.

I have 2 deep crank rods, an XP 805cb and an Irod Fred's Crank Launcher. The Irod is probably a bit much for anything lighter than the 8xd. The Dobyns will do great with the 8xd, but the 3xd is a bit light. Neither have a 20 inch handle though. I don't know of a crank rod with a 20in handle as that's usually swimbait rod territory. The Irod does come with a 16'5 handle and also offers a Crank Jr that would probably work out fine for those 3xd.

Listen to this guy. LOL

Everything suffers when too light, on the lower end of the rod specs, too heavy, or on the heavier end of the rod specs. But if I had to choose, I'd say lighter. Really depends on casting circumstances though. I've pitched 5 and 6 inch Senkos on a jig rod comfortably. I could also bomb cast them on the same rod as well. But obviously accuracy suffers.

Budget is important. But I only know Shimanos cause that's all I have. I'll list them from least expensive to most expensive. You can go cheaper or more expensive but these are all great reels for the price. SLX Curado K Bantum

I've thrown heavier spinnerbaits, smaller frogs, LV500's, and an assortment of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ounce Texas rigged baits. It's a pretty versatile Heavy powered rod. Has a nice softer tip. As of now, I have it as my go to Keitech rod throwing 3.8, 4.3, and 4.8 size Impact Fats. It does a phenomenal job at it. Lots of back bone to drive those single hooks out deep or in cover and a nice tip for that initial bite.

I hear ya. Most frog fishing I do is really just open water around me. That's California reservoirs for ya. But the occasional trips to the Cal Delta and Clear Lake really lets to test a frog rod. My choice was mostly dictated by the type of cover I was fishing and I can only really have 1. And totally agree with being quarantined. I think I've window shopped, read about, and spent more money on fishing gear this last 3 weeks than I have the last 2 years! LOL! I need to stop! I haven't tested to see where the balancing point is tbh. I almost never do. I slap on the reel that I intend and go fishing with it. But maybe when I get home after work I'll take a photo and post it for you. As for the aluminum gear, it does the job. As I replied to OP, I fish mostly open waters. Only the occasional trips to the Cal Delta and Clear Lake do I see heavier cover. But I have several Metanium MGL's and have flipped and thrown jigs into heavy cover with no problems. Will a brass gear be more durable? Probably. But as of now, I have yet had a failure. If I do, I'll order some Curado K gears and swap them out.

I searched and asked for a Megabass frog rod not too long ago. A lot of the answers will come up with the Perfect Pitch or the Valdivia. The problem I have is that there aren't any shops around me with examples to hold and see, so relying on people's online reviews and input was the only way to make my choice. Seems like the Perfect Pitch comes up a lot. Problem is, I didn't want something comparable to a Heavy rod that might be too light for heavier cover. I have an Expride 7'2 H and while it'll frog well, it doesn't seem to have enough power for the slop. Seems like the PP falls into that category from what I gathered. The PP seems to be the rod for light cover and open water frogging. The other choice, which is what MB advertises as their frog rod is the Valdivia. The little I gathered, seems most folks prefer this as a bottom contact rod. It makes sense with the power, taper, and length. The length on the Valdivia is what really strayed me from ordering it. I may still order one in the near future for heavier jigs and flipping Texas rigs. It'll work great for me when fishing jigs in 40-50ft of water. I saw a video of Oliver Ngy fishing the Bunker Buster with the Big Gabot tied on. It's probably super over kill but I guess the type of cover will really dictate if you'll need that or not. After all said an done, I ended up with a Shimano Expride 7'3 XH. Because of this COVID-19 pandemic, I haven't really been able to use the rod, but the few casts I've made, I can tell this is an awesome frogging rod. Tons of backbone, subtle tip for walking frogs, and light weight. It's very comfortable in my hands with a Metanium MGL. Because it's light, but has all that power still, it'll serve great for light cover, open water, and heavy slop frogging. Best of luck on your search.

I have a few Stradic CI4, 1 Stradic FL, and 1 Ultegra. Hands down the CI4 is a winner for lightness. They're smooth enough, not as smooth as the Stradic FL, but their weight makes it a winner. The FL is obviously very smooth and the drag is wonderful. The Ultegra was my initial step up in spinning reels a few years back and I still have it around. It doesn't get much use, but it was and is a great reel. It gets the job done at a good price point. Unless you're looking for a reel with weight savings or having the newest and smoothest technology, the Ultegra will do the job. Never had any problems with mine. But like anything else, if you're looking for some niche of luxury, I'd definitely spend a little more cash and get either the CI4 or FL.

I use 65lb PP Spectra in Moss Green. I could get away with 50lb or even 40lb in my area but the occasional visits to the Cal Delta calls for a bit heaver line. I do not see any negative affects of using the heavier line if you have only 1 frog setup and one spool to spool.

I tried 15lb Superslick the first time on a spinning reel recently and love it over the PP Spectra. It's much smoother on casting. I'll be switching all my spinning setups to Superslick. IDK how well it is on casting reels, but I can imagine it would be awesome as well.