New Frog Rod!

[Clackinrap]

I'm trying to decide on a new frog rod, and can't quite pick the exact model I need.  I've settled on the Veritas 2.0, but can't pin down the strength and taper.  I'm going to be fishing from a kayak mostly, and throwing the hollow frogs into a whole bunch of weeds, bushes, pads, etc.

 

The Veritas 2.0 has it's own frog model, but I don't think 7'6" would work well from a kayak, and I'm not sure about the medium heavy strength and medium taper.  There are 7' and 7'3" MH/fast models available with either micro guides or standard guides, as well as a 7' H/xf, but I'm pretty sure the extra fast taper would be terrible for frogs.

 

I'll be pairing this rod with either a Abu Garcia REVO S or REVO SX high speed, if that aids in the conversation at all.

 

Thanks!

[gulfcaptain]

Most frog rods have an XF taper. They are light in the tip but then shut off so you have the power to pull.  Think a 7'HXF would probably work well for what you are wanting.  That's just my opinion though. 

[PitchinJigz]

The XF is perfect for working a frog!

[WRB]

Daiwa Tatula 7'4" frog rod has good reviews, ideally matched to Tatula R high speed reel.

I use IROD Freds Magic gen2 frog rod, 7'6", good multi purpose rod for lots presentations like A-rig, big deep divers, rats, wake baits, smaller swimbaits, buzzers or anything 1/2-2 1/2oz., would think handy rod for a kayaker.

Tom

[Clackinrap]

Most frog rods have an XF taper. They are light in the tip but then shut off so you have the power to pull.  Think a 7'HXF would probably work well for what you are wanting.  That's just my opinion though. 

 

 

The XF is perfect for working a frog!

 

You don't think the XF will be a hindrance on hook sets?  I can just see the frog ripping out of the fish's mouth and whipping by my head at 100mph now.

[PitchinJigz]

You don't think the XF will be a hindrance on hook sets? I can just see the frog ripping out of the fish's mouth and whipping by my head at 100mph now.

A big part of frog fishing is timing your hooksets and waiting to feel the weight of the fish. The XF action will help u work it.

[gulfcaptain]

An Extra Fast taper means you have a softer tip on the top 18-20" of the rod before it shuts off.  This softer tip will let you cast a frog with a heavier action rod since you have a lighter tip.  Now the tip also lets you set the hook and the softer tip section will help you more then hender you.  It doesn't matter what the taper and action of the rod is if you pull the bait out of the fishes mouth instead of waiting for pressure weather you are using a fast action or an XF action.  If you swing the minute you see a strike and don't wait to feel pressure your frog is coming back at you anyways from your action, regardless of the rod action.  

[Angry John]

I had a 7'3"MHF veritas first gen that I liked for frogs. The reel seat is what I could pass on.

[Master Bait'r]

You don't think the XF will be a hindrance on hook sets? I can just see the frog ripping out of the fish's mouth and whipping by my head at 100mph now.

Honestly it can be if you buy the wrong XF rod. I didn't like my Crucial MHXF at all because it had no give in the tip at all. May have been a good jig rod but it casted terribly at the lower range of hollow bodied frogs and was a bit too broomsticky for my taste and that application. I personally had trouble walking some frogs with it because of this specific action and taper as well. Same with the MHF *** Green I tried too.

My HXF *** Black though- now that is a freakin perfect frog rod IMO. It has a lot of beautifully manageable power. Tons of backbone but a nice progressive tip that gives very accurate, long casts even at low weights- Also keeps the hook pinned very nicely too. All around perfect for my tastes and needs at what I feel is a very reasonable price.

You may still get the occasional tower buzzing but that's a part of froggin' and more timing than rod.

[Blues19]

I am probably unlike most but I prefer a shorter rod on frogs. Not really sure why but its just my thing.  Especially in the kayak you may be interested in a bit shorter too since its easier to maneuver. the 6'9" MH Veritas may be a good choice... That is probably the rod I would get, the rod I am considering getting myself.

[Angry John]

I do admit the long rod on hookset while standing in a yak is quite the challenge. I have yet to fall out but there is still lots of years to go.

[buzzed bait]

i fish from a kayak as well.  i picked up a 7'6" *** black HF last year to throw frogs.  i like the rod, but frankly it's too long for the kayak.  i've been thinking about getting rid of it and picking up something closer to 6'10" or 7' to make it easier to manage in the kayak.

[robster80]

same here ive got a cabelas tournamnt zx 7'3 but may buy a backup for kayak fishing in a 6'6-7'

[WRB]

Fishing from a kayak you are closer to the water surface and the shorter rod is a disadvantage when trying to keep bass from diving into the cover, can't keep their heads up. A easy casting frog rod that is 4" longer shouldn't be a major issue, if it is then get the shorter rod and make shorter casts.

Reel set the hook, push the rod butt forward, snap the rod tip upwards and keep reeling, you can do this seated.

Tom

[buzzed bait]

Fishing from a kayak you are closer to the water surface and the shorter rod is a disadvantage when trying to keep bass from diving into the cover, can't keep their heads up. A easy casting frog rod that is 4" longer shouldn't be a major issue, if it is then get the shorter rod and make shorter casts.

Reel set the hook, push the rod butt forward, snap the rod tip upwards and keep reeling, you can do this seated.

Tom

 

tom i truly enjoy your posts and knowledge, but am honestly asking you if you've ever fished from a kayak?  one would think what's a few inches right? the issue does not come with fighting the fish generally, but the casting of a 7.5 ft rod is not the easiest thing to do from that low seated position.  let alone an accurate cast.... 

i would love to keep my 7'6" for frogging, as it really is perfect once you hook the fish.  it's just the steps leading up to the hookset are so much easier and repeatable with the shorter rod.

[Angry John]

I am 6'5" so I get away with the 7'3". If I was even a little shorter I would be looking at a 7' rod. I loose fish due to weak hookset while seated so I don't even try that anymore. My current style works for me but I would not say its best. I hit them very hard and then I have to give slack to recover my balance and get stable again for a long fight. I risk a little to make sure the hooks get a good initial bite.

[bionicbassfisherman]

i would get a duckett ghost 7'3 hvy its just a better rod for the price and best frog rodever with 50pound supperslick powerpro and a lews tournement mb 7.6.1

[SenkoGuru]

I may be in the minority here but through out my many years of frog fishing I have come to love the Mod-fast rods for frog fishing When I am fishing 65# Braid it really helps a LOT. I really believe I am getting much better hook up's after switching to a Heavy/mod-fast Frog rod.

[DocNsanE]

I may be in the minority here but through out my many years of frog fishing I have come to love the Mod-fast rods for frog fishing When I am fishing 65# Braid it really helps a LOT. I really believe I am getting much better hook up's after switching to a Heavy/mod-fast Frog rod.

would that rod also be suitable for swimbaits and punching?

[gnuisance]

cabelas tournament zx 7'3 frog rod. Just picked one up for $70

[Master Bait'r]

would that rod also be suitable for swimbaits and punching?

 

 

Certainly.  Depending on your style, exact application and preference though of course as always.  Everybody is different but I could see what he's saying.  I didn't really like very "stiff to the tip" frog rods either, (great for JWR stuff but not so much for frogs) and prefer one with a softer tip as we have to remember that you're driving the backbone of the blank through the tip and moreso the stiffer that tip is- in a rod that has a softer tip, not only can you cast better/farther with lighter baits but when you set the hook, the lever is shorter (closer to the fulcrum) and so is going to feel easier to manage.  It will also push the hook point home and drive the fight with the power that is down in the backbone rather than through the tip.  That's probably why he is feeling more positive about the hooksets with a mod/fast rod.  I know I felt the same way when I moved to a frog rod that had a softer tip section.  With a longer rod/softer tip you're getting the casting and shake absorption of a longer rod, but only really setting the hook with, say, 6'8" or so since the tip is not supporting the full weight, just acting as the shock absorber on the head shakes.  Does that make sense?  I hope I didn't over-complicate that. 

 

Especially if you aren't looking to spend a lot of money though, it may be a good idea to go with a more parabolic heavy action like a fast/mod fast, as most heavy "frog rods" will probably be pretty broomsticky at entry level.  Check it out, see what you like and go from there.  If you aren't getting what you want out of it, you can sell it or just have a swimbait rod.  Good luck out there in any case!

[DocNsanE]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to explain that! It really helped me understand that *** whole lot better.

 

Cheers!

[Master Bait'r]

tom i truly enjoy your posts and knowledge, but am honestly asking you if you've ever fished from a kayak?  one would think what's a few inches right? the issue does not come with fighting the fish generally, but the casting of a 7.5 ft rod is not the easiest thing to do from that low seated position.  let alone an accurate cast.... 

i would love to keep my 7'6" for frogging, as it really is perfect once you hook the fish.  it's just the steps leading up to the hookset are so much easier and repeatable with the shorter rod.

 

 

I fish from a kayak 95% of the time, and I have a 7'3" *** HXF and love it.  Never ran into a problem- but my old 7'2" Crucial JWR MHXF AND my 7'2" *** Green MHF were both a huge pain to frog with- it's all in the tip though IMO.  The Crucial and *** Green were just too stiff through the tip and castability/ease of action definitely suffered as a result.

 

So yeah, IMO the problem doesn't come so much from the rod being too long, it comes from having too stiff of a tip and being unwieldy with ~1/2oz frogs and walking the dog as a result.  I went up an inch with my newer rod and it performed drastically better.  

 

 

Just my personal observations, but I was blown away when I made the switch to a softer tip & bigger backbone though.  Night and day, for real.  

[buzzed bait]

I fish from a kayak 95% of the time, and I have a 7'3" *** HXF and love it.  Never ran into a problem- but my old 7'2" Crucial JWR MHXF AND my 7'2" *** Green MHF were both a huge pain to frog with- it's all in the tip though IMO.  The Crucial and *** Green were just too stiff through the tip and castability/ease of action definitely suffered as a result.

 

So yeah, IMO the problem doesn't come so much from the rod being too long, it comes from having too stiff of a tip and being unwieldy with ~1/2oz frogs and walking the dog as a result.  I went up an inch with my newer rod and it performed drastically better.  

 

 

Just my personal observations, but I was blown away when I made the switch to a softer tip & bigger backbone though.  Night and day, for real.  

 

i may just not be doing it right!!  it was kind of the same for me with my 7'6" swimbait rod i had though.... i felt like it was too long to fish comfortably from the yak which was a contributing factor to me ditching the swimbait setup.  i think it's mostly personal preference, but i just like the shorter rods from the yak.  now on the banks, the 7' - 7'6" rods are fantastic in terms of leverage over the fish.

i also feel like when fishing the kayak you can kind of move or position yourself a bit better to work the fish out of cover and thus the power and length of the rod may not be as important (personal opinion, no science nor facts involved).  i may have to try a few rods out before jumping on the next one to see if i could find a longer rod with a better tip like you mention to overcome my problems!