I'm looking into buying a new set up that will I will use for pitching/flipping and frogging.
As for the area of where i fish, the average bass is around 2.5-3lb, with the big ones nearing 5lbs. There's pads and some slop, and lot's of weeds.
I've done well getting strikes off the frog and some day's my hook up ratio is good, and some day's it isn't (i'm using a 6'10" shimano crutial -spinner bait rod). I have been using the same rod to throw some 3/8oz jigs, and some plastics creature baits. I've done just fine with my ratio on hookset's off the jig and plastics, but like i said, some days with the frog it's mostly misses, and yes. i'm waiting to feel the weight of the fish before hooksets..
Looking for your guys help into the rod size i should get... i have been hearing a lot about 7'11 heavy rods, or 7'6 heavy rods (i've specifically been looking at the Abu Garcia Verita's rods because of the 100$ price point).. what would be a good hybrid so i can use for both frogging and pitching? seems like all the pros are using super long rods on 65lb braid... But would that set up be overkill for the smaller sized fish im catching? should i go Medium heavy or heavy? closer to 7 feet or closer to 8? im leaning towards the 7'11 heavy, and will put 65lb braid.. like i said sometimes im fishing in slop and pads.. yet somedays im in open water on the shallows.. I tried flexing the 7'11 heavy veritas in the stores, it seems super stiff and there isnt much flex.. i'm wondering if this will give me a harder time keeping bend in the rod with a lighter 2.5lb fish.. maybe im better off with a shorter or medium heavy, i did really like the 7'6" MH model, flexed it in store and it had nice bend, but i'm not sure if this will be a good rod for frogging or pitching?
i find the bass elite series pro's advice on rods is hard because i always assume their talking about big rods and 65 braid because they reel in 9lb Okechobee bass. But maybe that same set up wouldnt be good for me, or maybe its needed for any sized bass as long as the conditions are the same (slop, pads, stumps)
For the reel i think i will go with the Abu Garcia Revo SX in the 7.1.1 gear ratio. From doing my research it seems to be great for what i need. I want something with the high gear ratio, and for it to be durable and light. (and someone at BassPro told me to stick with a light reel when flipping so my wrist doesn't get tired)
i was maybe going to go with the new shimano curado 200i 7.2.1, super smooth, but a bit heavier and larger profile, also its a sold 60-70$ more.
please some replies and info will be appracited!
Thanks
