Looking For Versatile Top Water/frog Set Up? Possible?

[SteelheadJones]

Hey everyone,

I would like to get a top water specific set up this year for things like poppers, buzz baits, and maybe even frogs. Looking for suggestions on rod/reel/line. I have read a lot of people have specific setups just for frogs. I was hoping to cover a couple rigs with a single setup and would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks everyone.

[Mike2841]

I use a 6'6" mh rod, although a med might be better for some of the baits, for top waters. I like the shorter rod to work poppers and spooks. I don't think it would be optimal to throw frogs on that rod but I probably could.

If you already have a jig rod spooled up with braid that could double as a frog rod

[FD.]

I use a 7-6 mh with 50 lb braid for frogs.  All other top water I use  a 7-0 med with 12lb mono.

 

It's tough to do both well with the same rod.

[SteelheadJones]

Thank you for the responses. I haven't done any cranking but would love to try some jigging. Would a frog jig rod make more sense?

[iabass8]

Depending on your price range....Dobyns Champion 735c. This would make a great frog rod, horny/buzz toad rod and 3/8-3/4 jig or trig rod. you could throw spooks on it but i wouldn't want to.  it's a pretty powerful rod.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I use my 7'3" XHVY Jig rod that is set up with braid for froggin.  Works great.  I dont think a buzzbait would work well on it.

[daiwaguy]

Thank you for the responses. I haven't done any cranking but would love to try some jigging. Would a frog jig rod make more sense?

I think this would be a better plan because you are not going to want to throw buzzbaits or poppers on your Frog setup expecially if you are throwing it with braid. It would work good for heavier jigs in brush and grass too.

[lmbfisherman]

I think this would be a better plan because you are not going to want to thrown buzzbaits or poppers on your Frog setup expecially if you are throwing it with braid. It would work good for heavier jigs in brush and grass too.

Agree 100%.

[hike4steel]

Yes a frog/jig combo makes more sense. Heavy power with fast action from 7' on up.  longer the rod, longer the cast which could be required for the frog.  Also move more line on set and a longer fulcrum for flipping.

[Fish Murderer 71]

I've got a topwater set up and a separate buzz/ topwater frog set up and separate frog w/ braid set up.  all three could be used for anything... but! each has its own action, line, and power for a specific job.  kinda like which hammer do I put a nail in the wall with- a sledge, a tack, or a framing??? 

[SteelheadJones]

Guys,

This is great. Thank you for the feedback. Trying to learn a new technique every year. 2 years ago it was T-Rigs and Senkos wacky. Last year it was drop shot. This year maybe I try jigs/frogs. I'm sorta of a newbie at anything other than plastics. I probably should have started my post off with what should be my next setup? Sounds like maybe I should try a jig setup that can double as a frog setup as well. Was looking at the BPS combo sets. Anyone using these for what I am looking for?

[mjseverson24]

Personally I would not do a jig/from combo, the reason is often times you will be fishing those two baits in the same area, and it is nice to throw frogs and then pick up a different rod and be able to just pitch a jig. I woul use a 6'6" - 7' MH like a veritas rod that is a little stiffer than the actual rating  on the rod. really though if you like frogs I would get a designated set up.

 

Mitch

[Teal]

I have a 7'2 mag H rod. It is an extra fast tip. Its great for frogs and big spooks and lunker plunker baits. It is also an excellent jig rod! For bigger jigs I want a big stuff rod with a really fast really soft tip, and I found that went I'm throwing a frog over slop or a homongous topwater bait, I want the same thing. The tip of that rod is just enough to work that bait perfectly.

But I want a lighter rod for poppers, and average 3 inch walking baits, they tend to be a little lighter.

[Teal]

Guys,

This is great. Thank you for the feedback. Trying to learn a new technique every year. 2 years ago it was T-Rigs and Senkos wacky. Last year it was drop shot. This year maybe I try jigs/frogs. I'm sorta of a newbie at anything other than plastics. I probably should have started my post off with what should be my next setup? Sounds like maybe I should try a jig setup that can double as a frog setup as well. Was looking at the BPS combo sets. Anyone using these for what I am looking for?

Why not get your self a heavy slop combo and learn frogs and heavy topwaters. And at the same time buy a few Seibert jigs and tie the jigs on your t rig combo. Jigs are very versatile baits and can be learn easily. Most t rig combos should be ok for jigs... Just don't try to throw tiny jigs with a broom stick and don't throw monster jigs with a finesse rod.

Mj is right, I like having either a hollow body or a rage frog on the deck when I'm pitching jigs and vice versa

[FD.]

Thank you for the responses. I haven't done any cranking but would love to try some jigging. Would a frog jig rod make more sense?

 

 

What might help us help you is to know what you have now.  What kind of fishing you do, either bank or boat or both.  The lakes/ponds you are fishing.  What part of the country you are in.

 

And your budget for this year for fishing gear.

 

There are extremely knowledgeable people here that are willing to be very specific with help as far as type of rod and reel, line, and terminal tackle recommendations.  If you ask about specific brands you are going to get 100 different answers but the principles and purpose of the setups are the same regardless of brand.

 

Remember the more information you give us, the more accurate our help will be.

 

FD

[SteelheadJones]

FishinDaddy,

 

I am in the Northeast and predominately fish lakes and small ponds (little to no deep water).  I fish both from the boat and bank.  Today I have 3 setups, 2 spinning, 1 casting.

 

One of the spinning setups is a 7ft M rod with 8lb Seagur Invizx.  I have used that for years for primarily throwing senkos wacky style but wanted to start trying other techniques.  The other spinning setup I rigged last year is for for dropshot and liked it a lot.  The casting rod is a 7ft MH with 12lb camo YoZuri Hybrid.  Honestly, I pretty much threw everything to get used to it last year, t-rigs, spinnerbaits, other soft plastics, etc.  I probably used my casting rod and dropshot rod 90% of the time.  My senko rod was getting used the least.  

 

That being said, I am looking to get a new casting setup for this year.  Based off what I have, there are probably only 5,000 different directions I can go so it should be an easy decision.  Like I said in a previous post, I try to pick up something new each year to learn a new technique.  I am probably most interested in using jigs (never have), topwater, or a frog set up.  I usually try to keep each setup to around $200.

[daiwaguy]

I think this would be a better plan because you are not going to want to throw buzzbaits or poppers on your Frog setup expecially if you are throwing it with braid. It would work good for heavier jigs in brush and grass too.

I guess I could have added a recommendation. Not knowing what type of vegetation you are fishing most of the time I would go with a 7'3" to 7'4" H/F with a 7:1 to 8:1 ratio reel an 50-65lb 4 strand braid, if your area is really rocky or has sharp structure use 8 strand. If you are doing a lot of flipping and pitching maybe consider a 7'6" rod same reel and line.

[Mike2841]

A mh or h depending on the brand would be great for jigs and frogs

[AK-Jax86]

I use a 7' Medium Heavy spinning rod with 30lb braid. My reel is a Pflueger Patriarch now use to throw it on my Abu Garcia Orra