6'6" MH-F casting rod for top water frogs

[LCG]

I would like to focus on pitching jigs and learning top water frogs this year. I have never had a hit on top water frogs (hollow body and poppin frogs)  before so this will be completely new to me. 

 

Anyways I was wondering if my current set up will work for frogs around light to moderate cover?  It's a St Croix Avid X 6'6 MH-F casting rod with a Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL spooled with 50 lb braid. I know it will be perfect for jigs but not sure about frogs. 

 

I have a general preference for shorter rods as I fish from the bank 99% of the time and trees branches can be a factor. Just curious if there is a need for a rod over 7ft for this type of technique or its just preference. 

[CroakHunter]

Just preference. As long as you aren't in heavy slop you'll be fine. I prefer a shorter rod for frogs as well. I chopped 2 inches off of a 7ft my and now it fishes like a 6'10 heavy. 

[Dtrombly]

x2 ^ as long as you don't fish super thick stuff you shouldn't have any issues. 

[kschultz76]

Should work fine, St Croix MH are usually pretty stout. As long as you aren’t fishing in the heaviest slip and salad you should be good. 

[Finnz922]

I agree kshultz76. You might struggle in the real heavy stuff though. But your off to a good start. 

 

If you like it then I would get a dedicated frog rod or combine with your flipping rod. 

[LCG]

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to the summer 

[Angry John]

I like at least a 7' for frogs.  I lift up during the fight and i feel it gives me a lot of leverage to get them out.  I also like the longer rod for line speed when setting the heavy double hooks.  Frogs are hard to get a good set due to the wire diameter and having to drive two hooks.  Now if your using a smaller frog then you should be ok...

[IndianaFinesse]

 

I like at least a 7' for frogs.  I lift up during the fight and i feel it gives me a lot of leverage to get them out.  I also like the longer rod for line speed when setting the heavy double hooks.  Frogs are hard to get a good set due to the wire diameter and having to drive two hooks.  Now if your using a smaller frog then you should be ok...

No offence, but a longer rod does not mean more leverage.  Just the opposite in fact, the more distance between your hand on the rod (think fulcrum) and the rod's tip, the more leverage the bass has.  You can move more line faster with a longer rod, but that's different than leverage.

[CroakHunter]

 

No offence, but a longer rod does not mean more leverage.  Just the opposite in fact, the more distance between your hand on the rod (think fulcrum) and the rod's tip, the more leverage the bass has.  You can move more line faster with a longer rod, but that's different than leverage.

Yes! Finally someone says it! I've always thought that but never mentioned it

[Angry John]

I am not talking about generating power.  Take two trucks wit the same power back to back. The one with the higher tow hitch will win.  Lifting is what I am talking about.  If you pull them up and out you win more often.  I get fulcrum but not what I am saying.

[Bankbeater]

I like using a 7’0” rod for the little extra distance when casting in thick slop on the surface. There are times when I don’t want to take the boat into that gunk. 

[kschultz76]

Sure a 7’ + rod will give the op some advantages, but the 6’6” he’s got will work just fine to get started with the technique. Especially if the op just prefers shorter rods. 

[Angry John]

It will absolutely work just use a smaller frog to help out.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_Dean_Rojas_Bronzeye_Baby_Popper_Frog_50/descpage-SBEPP50.html

[IndianaFinesse]

 

I am not talking about generating power.  Take two trucks wit the same power back to back. The one with the higher tow hitch will win.  Lifting is what I am talking about.  If you pull them up and out you win more often.  I get fulcrum but not what I am saying.

I see what you mean, and you are correct that the longer rods make it easier to pull them up and out, because of the fact that you can move the bass farther faster with the same hand motion and a higher point of pull.  I was talking about true leverage though, but yeah I see what you are talking about, though it is different.

[Bluebasser86]

I learned to fish a frog with a 6' 6" MH/F Premier. 

[LCG]

Thanks again to everyone for sharing their opinions. Good to know I will be using the right equipment. 

 

Does anyone have any insight as to color of frog vs the water/lighting conditions? 

[Angry John]

Same as every top water black, brown and white for your first three.  Matching your native species may be possible and that's always a good bet.  Live target makes some very nice realistic paterns. 

[Finnz922]

I would advise one oddball for those days they are missing the frog our just bumping it. I cant tell you how many times throwing a color like Spro Amazon has helped me when all other colors are failing. It's good for bluegill, sunfish, and yellow perch waters also. 

[CroakHunter]

On 1/14/2018 at 8:18 AM, Luke G. said:

Thanks again to everyone for sharing their opinions. Good to know I will be using the right equipment. 

 

Does anyone have any insight as to color of frog vs the water/lighting conditions? 

Light color and a dark color will cover it all. The bass can't see the top side of the frog so only the belly matters. All frogs around here are white-ish yellow on the belly. I either use solid white or solid black. Let the fish decide what color they want. 

[Scarborough817]

i'm not fighting you on the length because there are days i frog on my 6'6", but why an avid? you dont need the most sensitive rod for topwater so why not get something a little more budget friendly 

[LCG]

20 minutes ago, Scarborough817 said:

i'm not fighting you on the length because there are days i frog on my 6'6", but why an avid? you dont need the most sensitive rod for topwater so why not get something a little more budget friendly 

I purchased the Avid x used on Kijiji (fellow Ontarian) for $120, which is a pretty solid deal.

 

I wanted a sensitive rod for pitching jigs but I would also like the rod to be versatile ie frogs, Texas rigged plastics, etc. 

 

I am a bank fisherman and a minimalist at heart. Two rods at a time, one spinning 6'8" m-xf, one casting 6'6" mh-f should cover most of my situations I hope. I am sure I will purchase more stuff though

 

I also have a 6'9" ml-f spinning rod and 6'10" Mh-xf casting rod, both two piece. Not sure if I will be keeping both of these or not just yet. 

[Scarborough817]

1 hour ago, Luke G. said:

I purchased the Avid x used on Kijiji (fellow Ontarian) for $120, which is a pretty solid deal.

 

I wanted a sensitive rod for pitching jigs but I would also like the rod to be versatile ie frogs, Texas rigged plastics, etc. 

 

I am a bank fisherman and a minimalist at heart. Two rods at a time, one spinning 6'8" m-xf, one casting 6'6" mh-f should cover most of my situations I hope. I am sure I will purchase more stuff though

 

I also have a 6'9" ml-f spinning rod and 6'10" Mh-xf casting rod, both two piece. Not sure if I will be keeping both of these or not just yet. 

well that's pretty awesome congrats on that find 

[the reel ess]

On 1/13/2018 at 8:29 PM, IndianaFinesse said:

No offence, but a longer rod does not mean more leverage.  Just the opposite in fact, the more distance between your hand on the rod (think fulcrum) and the rod's tip, the more leverage the bass has.  You can move more line faster with a longer rod, but that's different than leverage.

edit:Never mind. I see this has been discussed

 

OP, as for color preference, I don't think that matters much. I would use darker colors in thick cover and lighter ones in more sparse cover. But I don't think bass think these are really frogs. They're just being territorial and attacking what's in their zone.