Budget Frog Combo Help

[jiggz125]

I have $75 gift card to Gander Mountain and was thinking I would buy a new casting combo for frogging and maybe for flipping and pitching jigs. I don't have the money to spend much more maybe a grand total of $125(so $50 on top of the gift card).

 

I saw this Abu Combo for their spring sale and was wondering if it would be okay for what I need?  It is 7" MH  with SilverMax 6:4:1 Any suggestions? I like Lew's, Abu Garcia, and Saint Croix. appreciate the help.

 

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Abu-Garcia-Silver-MAX-Rod-Reel-Combo-SMAX2/701MH&i=449517&r=view&from=grid

 

 

[gulfcaptain]

I have one of their Guide Series IM8 7'H rods and use it to fish reds and specks but it's action would be great for a frog rod and they are about $60. If you're looking for a decent reel, shop Academy's H20 series reels, you can get one for about $60 as well and give you a good combo to start. The Black Max combos are a bit soft for what you are looking to do. And if you fish frogs, make sure you use braid.  Good luck, hope this helps.

[jiggz125]

That does help. I am looking for decent rod/reel that has good enough backbone for frogging and possibly pitching/flipping jigs. And it has to be from Gander Mountain as that is where my gift card is...

[MO_LMB]

I would buy the Citica they have for $129 that comes with a free rod and get a heavy action rod, or you can do the same deal with a Lew's Speed Spool for $99

 

http://gandermountain.shoplocal.com/GanderMountain/BrowseByPage/Index/?StoreID=2602735&PromotionCode=GanderMt-140223&PromotionViewMode=1

 

I personally have the silvermax and citica... the citica is a far superior reel, and the silvermax combo rod isn't very good.

[mjseverson24]

I would take a look at the skeet reese reel in the 7:1 for <50 with a reel trade in, then get a heavy action 7'-7'6" gander classic rod for <40.

 

Mitch

[Jrob78]

Since you're in WI and probably won't be able to use it for awhile I would keep saving and get yourself something a little better.

[Felix77]

I have $75 gift card to Gander Mountain and was thinking I would buy a new casting combo for frogging and maybe for flipping and pitching jigs. I don't have the money to spend much more maybe a grand total of $125(so $50 on top of the gift card).

 

I saw this Abu Combo for their spring sale and was wondering if it would be okay for what I need?  It is 7" MH  with SilverMax 6:4:1 Any suggestions? I like Lew's, Abu Garcia, and Saint Croix. appreciate the help.

 

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Abu-Garcia-Silver-MAX-Rod-Reel-Combo-SMAX2/701MH&i=449517&r=view&from=grid

 

No kidding that my initial frog setup was a 7'MH Rapsody Rod with a Silver Max.  It worked just fine with me.  I upgraded to the Pro Max for a faster gear ratio.

 

Paired with a heavy braid and you should be ok.

[jiggz125]

I would take a look at the skeet reese reel in the 7:1 for <50 with a reel trade in, then get a heavy action 7'-7'6" gander classic rod for <40.

 

Mitch

I think I am going to try the Skeet Reese with reel trade in and get 7' heavy action rod $40-$60 in store and see what they have. What other uses(other than frogging) would you use the 7:1:1 gear ratio and heavier action rod? Thanks

[ZB85]

I would just try and save up $75 for dollars and then get a decent rod and reel in the $100 price range. Tons of options in that price range.

[jiggz125]

Another option I went over in the flyer was this: http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=711343

 

I will more than likely getting another $50 gift card as a gift putting my budget up to $125 + $25 or so of my own money looking at $150.

So many options I cannot make up my mind; probably now get Abu/Lew's of some sort...

[mjseverson24]

for 150 I would go with an abu veritas (80.00) with the skeet reel or the GSX reel in the flyer, or the gander rod for <60 with the curado G7 for 90.00 

 

Mitch

[ZB85]

x2 for the veritas as the rod

[ww2farmer]

For a couple years now my main frog rod has been a $50 7' MH Berkley Lightning rod shock. Before that I had rods that cost 3 times as much for frogging and non of them did the job any better. It's not super light, and will wear you out if your going to frog for 8 hours..........the very reason why I "upgraded" my frogging rod to a much lighter 7' MH Abu Veritas. Which is still pretty cheap, and much lighter, plus it's the swiss army knife of bass rod lengths/powers (7' MH that is) and if I need another rod for bottom contact it can pull double duty.....the shock...not so much.

[FrogFreak]

I just got a 7 ft H rod at scheels for 40 bucks. I don't walk frogs so I was looking for a broom stick. In my opinion the reel is much more important. Get the most drag you can and a high gear ratio. Revos are always good.

[MichiganFishing1997]

My frog see up is a Abu Garcia Veritas 7'6 MH F with an Abu Garcia Pro Max Reel. 7.1:1 Ratio. I frogged a ton last season and it both worked and help up very well. With discounts at the time I got the combo within your budget.

[jiggz125]

Hey guys I appreciate all the suggestions. I went ahead and ordered this combo off of Gander, it is on back-order. Seemed like a good deal for the price. Let me know your thoughts. I may kick myself for not getting Abu Veritas  but we will see. Would you guys use this combo for other applications other than frogging?

 

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=GSX-Elite-Low-Profile-Casting-Combo-7-Medium-Heavy&i=711343

ROD: http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=GSX-Elite-Baitcaster-Rod-GSXE66C-MH1-13-66-Med-Heavy&i=724927

 

REEL: http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=GSX-Elite-Low-Profile-Casting-Reel&i=711349