New Frog Rod

[vtbassin]

I am going to build a new Frog Rod.  I am thinking of using a St Croix SC3 7' MHF.  I want some tip to cast a long way and the backbone to get the fish out.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

George

[justtrying]

just a suggestion, if you haven't already ordered your st croix.

they are, indeed, Great blanks.   ..at this time, however, bingham has their shikari blanks at Very low prices.  i just bought a imb794f blank for less than $40!  that 7'9" baby would make a Fan-Tas-Tic frog rod.

i'm building mine out w/big tubes & worms in mind (for spring bedding fish), but, i'm sure i'll try a frog on it as well.

btw, if you want to stick w/a 7' blank, i also bought an imb704 from andy@lamar & it's a heavy stick that would work great for a frogger (andy was a little higher on his prices, but, i found out he got his blanks from karen )

either way, they're great prices on great blanks.

ronnie

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'm not real familiar with St Croix actions but is that heavy enough for the real thick stuff.  I prefer a heavy to X hvy for froggin.  Especially hollow frogs.

[vtbassin]

I'm not real familiar with St Croix actions but is that heavy enough for the real thick stuff. I prefer a heavy to X hvy for froggin. Especially hollow frogs.

GMAN,

I have not ordered a blank yet. I have had some great days using a bass rat and even with a little lead wrapped aroung the hooks I doubt it weighs more that 1/2 oz. So I am a little concerned with going Xhvy and still being able to cast any distance. I think the MHF will have enough tip to cast it with but you may be right I may be giving up some power. I guess that is why I asked here to see what you guys thought and/or used for froggin.

Justtrying

I have been trying to get in contact with Andy at Lamar but our timing must be off and we seem to be leaving messages to each other. I have talked with him in the past when ordering some of his burl cork and he was great to talk with. I sent an e-mail to the Lamar web page yesterday.

I am not familiar with Shikari but I will check out the Bingham web page.

Have you used Rainshadow blanks??

[vtbassin]

..at this time, however, bingham has their shikari blanks at Very low prices. i just bought a imb794f blank for less than $40! that 7'9" baby would make a Fan-Tas-Tic frog rod.

I found the IMB 794f blank at Bingham and it is listed at $105. You got a gerat sale at $40 ;D  Was it last years model?

[Guest DavidGreen]

The Shikäri blanks that Andy and Karen have are this years blanks. The reason for the low prices is that Shikäri was bought out. Notice no warranty on those blanks either. So if you buy, better buy 2 or more, just in case you ever break one...

Tight Wraps!    

[vtbassin]

Thanks ReelMech,

Got any suggestions for a frog rod?

George

[Guest DavidGreen]

Depends on the line test and lure weight you intend on using..

[Alpster]

I recently built a Flippin stick on a 7 1/2' IMX FS904 blank. I plan to do some froggin with this rod also.

Ronnie

[Guest DavidGreen]

Yea I would consider a 7' to 7'6" 1 piece, medium heavy with extra fast tip or a heavy fast. But it would depend on the line test, and lure weight I was going to use most.

[vtbassin]

I will be using 1/2 oz baits the most and may go down to 3/8 or a little less but usually not much heaver.  I have been using 50 lb braid on a flipping stick but it is a little heavy/awkward for casting all day.  I will probably stick with 50 lb braid but I want a lighter rod and will make the handle more suited for me to cast with.  

Thanks for the feedback so far ;D  Maybe I am just over thinking this but half the fun of building a rod is having options that are not availvble on the shelf. ;D

[WCCT]

The 2 blanks I would look at are both St. Croix SCIV.  

4C70HF wich is their Slop-n-Frog blank.  It is 7' fast action heavy power.  Great rod.  I just built one of these towards the end of summer and I love it.  It makes one heck of a frog rod.   The other blank is a new model of theirs they call the Big Gulp.  Model # is 4C711HMF  It is a 7'11" heavy power with a moderate fast action.  I hear it is a pretty sweet blank too.  I highly recommend the St. Croix blanks, and if you can get the SCIV blanks, you will be hard pressed to find a finer blank IMO.  

[flechero]

4C70HF wich is their Slop-n-Frog blank

I also like this one... it's a 7' Heavy but has a pretty delicate tip so you can cast some of the lighter frogs.  I played with the factory rod and now have the blank on order.

[Guest DavidGreen]

Happy   Holidays!

Yea (4C70HF nice blank) probably would fish great wrapped up in a right hand transition spiral, with a custom burl split grip, fronted by a ECS seat with a comfort burl button wind check.

But imo one on the SC3 blank of the same taper would save some money, and be a little more reliable as far as longevity, you know (no stretch lines) thin walled blanks, etc.

Tight Wraps!  

[vtbassin]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I decided to get the Shikari IMB704 from Andy Dear @ Lamar.  ;D  At $35 I thought it was bargin and worth a try  ;D and for insurance I ordered 2   I also ordered some some burl cork rings in a couple of different styles (Copano, Laguna and a few 1/4" Burnt) Andy said he will get it in the mail by tomorrow.  Now to plan the rest of the project. ;D ;D

Thanks Again

George

[Cajun Basser]

I have been wading in a local public lake a lot this past year(boats are not allowed). The water gets covered with lilly pads and many areas require LONG casts. All the pervious sugestions on using long rods with faster tip are in order, but I would add that I tried using 30-50 lb braid ling with a short mono leader. The addition of the braided lind restricted my casting distance, but REALLY did afford me less fish lost due to better hookset and no line stretch. When I used this set up I would often switch to a worm or french fry (same rod'reel) and I could easily change the bait with the mono leader.

Andy

[Guest DavidGreen]

Happy   Holidays!

vtbassin,

You should really like that blank. Good idea to get 2 blanks. But if you build it right and treat it right that rod should last you a long time.. Now just make sure you split the grip, and spiral wrap that baby. You'll be set.

Tight Wraps!!!!!  

[vtbassin]

Yes spiral wrap and split grips are going on this rod.  I started with spiral wraps and split grips last winter and as the old saying goes  ;D Once you go spiral wrap you don't go back ;D

[Guest DavidGreen]

Happy Holidays!

vtbassin,

Yup that will be a great rod. Spiral wrap and use a candy apple thread (no CP). Then in the split area do a hot flame job, using bright yellow and red flames. Then call it your "red hot frog rod".

Keep us posted on the progress.

Tight Lines!!!