Help Comparing Two Frog Rods

[grprahl]

The rod I currently use for frog fishing is a Shimano Clarus Flipping Rod 7'11" Heavy with an Extra Fast taper, line wt 15-30lb, lure weight 3/8-1oz. I've used this for a year, and it's a little front heavy, but I plan on adding some weight to the handle. However, my biggest question is about casting distance. I can already cast the frogs pretty far  with this set-up, but I used a friends 7' MH carrot stick and cast the little thing a mile, though it didn't have near enough backbone to pull fish from the slop.

 

This led me to think that the current rod I'm using maybe isn't the best frog setup for casting. Shimano makes a frog specifc rod in their Crucial line. It's 7'9" Extra Heavy, has an Extra Fast taper, line weight 12-25lb, and lure weight 3/8-3/4oz. It's considerably more expensive than the Clarus I currently use, but most of the specs seem about the same (similar length, same taper, same minumum lure weight). Would I make considerable benefit from getting the crucial as a frog rod and using the clarus just for flipping? Or should I just save the >$150 and keep using the current rod?

[dwtaylor]

I would say stay with your current setup. Casting distance has too many variables to just point out the rod. The reel and line make a big difference in casting. If you want more distance out of braid, take a look at power pro slick, it helps. Based on the extra length of your rod, you should be able to outcast that carrot stick, provided all other variables are the same.

[new2BC4bass]

You didn't mention the weight of the frogs you normally use.  I am curious to see the answers you get.  Not because I am interested in either rod, but because I purchased a couple rods over the winter marked Heavy, but with the weight range being what many of my MH rods are listed as.  Haven't used either yet.  I am going to guess that the tip has the correct taper for the given weights while the main body has more power than a MH.

 

I had a similar experience last year.  Picked up an Abu Villain 7'6" MH casting rod.  Low end rating is 3/8 oz.  Got to make a few casts with it using a 1/2 oz spinnerbait.  Casting distance was nothing to write home about.  Got better distance with other 7' MH rods using the same lure.  No chance to use it since then, either. 

 

I'm thinking that it is a bit under rated, and that a 3/4 oz lure will load the rod much better resulting in decent casting distance.  I will be finding out in the near future.  Also will be trying a couple different reels to see what difference they might make.  From what I have read I'd say it is true that some reels excel at distance casting better than others.  However, if you are getting longer distance on a shorter rod, how can it be related to the reel?

 

I disagree that the reel and line are more important than the rod.  I don't care how good the reel and line are.  If the rod doesn't load properly, you aren't going to achieve the desired results.

[lmbfisherman]

I would keep it if it is working. No need to get another stick. I personally i wouldnt use anything above 7'6 either. The rods i use are in the 7'2 to 3 rod, heavy Compre and a MH Veritas. Both work great for me.

[new2BC4bass]

I would keep it if it is working. No need to get another stick. I personally i wouldnt use anything above 7'6 either. The rods i use are in the 7'2 to 3 rod, heavy Compre and a MH Veritas. Both work great for me.

 

 

HERESY!!!!  Don't you know we always NEED another combo?

[grprahl]

Thanks for the replies. Interesting that a couple people noted that the rod may be on the long side for fishing frogs. I have noticed that the accuracy is somewhat hard to control and walking is difficult but not impossible. Never knew it could be from too long of a rod. Frog weights I've been using are 1/2 oz I believe, mainly spro's and sexy frogs. Reel is Abu Garcia Revo STX with 65lb standard power pro. I'm sure that carrot stick I used was a much lighter braid, which probably contributes as well, but I don't think I could lower the diameter. Up here in MN/WI, you often catch 50:50 pike and bass when frogging, and some of those 10lb pike wreak havoc. I'll certainly do some more research on the super slick though.

[grprahl]

What are you opinions on this rod? (I can use the excuse that it can be used as more than a frog rod to justify purchase )

 

Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2" MH with Fast taper line 10-17, lure 1/4 to 3/4oz. It would probably be able to give me much better control. The only question would be if MH is enough to horse them out of the thick pads, which I think it might. This rod would be much more reasonably priced as well, but only IM-7.

[gobig]

There are several variables. The major difference you are seeing in casting distance between your rod and your friends has to due with how the rod is loading up on the cast. You can take two identical blanks and build two completely different rods. The reel seat location, number of guides and there location all have to due with how the rod loads. Your flipping rod is designed for just that, flipping. That's not saying that it won't work. But it probably will not work as well as a rod that is designed for the specific application.

[B@ssCrzy]

What are you opinions on this rod? (I can use the excuse that it can be used as more than a frog rod to justify purchase )

 

Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2" MH with Fast taper line 10-17, lure 1/4 to 3/4oz. It would probably be able to give me much better control. The only question would be if MH is enough to horse them out of the thick pads, which I think it might. This rod would be much more reasonably priced as well, but only IM-7.

 

If you are going to look at a Convergence you should look at the Powell Diesel's.  You can get a 7'2" MH with XF taper for $69.  Granted it won't come with a warranty, but the quality you get at that price point is much better than the Convergence, and I have not heard of any breakage issues with them.  I have this exact rod and love it.  In my opinion it has enough backbone to do what you need it to do.  If you search this forum you will find that there is a lot of positive feedback about the Diesel rods.

[grprahl]

If you are going to look at a Convergence you should look at the Powell Diesel's.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll look at those too.

 

There are several variables. The major difference you are seeing in casting distance between your rod and your friends has to due with how the rod is loading up on the cast. You can take two identical blanks and build two completely different rods. The reel seat location, number of guides and there location all have to due with how the rod loads. Your flipping rod is designed for just that, flipping. That's not saying that it won't work. But it probably will not work as well as a rod that is designed for the specific application.

 

Do you know of any one-stop resource or book that goes over each and every variable and explains what does what that you know of? Or does that info just come with a lot of trial, error, and little bits of info gathered through years of experience? I would love to learn more about rod science overall.

[lmbfisherman]

HERESY!!!!  Don't you know we always NEED another combo?

HAHA well I don't think he needs another Frog Combo since what he has will do the job, he needs to spend his money on a "different" combo for sure!  Go spend the money on a Crucial jig and worm, cause you need it!

[wisconsin heat]

I actually prefer shorter rods for frogging; it makes them a lot easier to work. It might just be because I'm short (5'8") but my 6'6" MH rod is my favorite rod to frog with. I rarely ever have problems where the rod is at fault for missing a fish. I fish frogs a lot (favorite way to fish) and the shorter rod is so much more comfortable and accurate. I usually fish the green mats on top, which aren't extremely thick .If I were to throw it in some nasty stuff I might use my flipping rod, but I'd usually rather punch a bait through the really bad stuff than throw a frog on top of it.

[BradGuenette]

Have a look at the other frog rod in the Crucial line, the 7'2" MH Xfast frog specific rod, I think it will better suit your needs.