Best frog rod under $150 and 7'2"

[Riazuli]

Hey all, as the title says, I'm looking for a good frog rod and for punching under $150 (price is flexible and looking for heavy power only as I've got a couple MH already) that is around 7'2" and under as I don't want to much higher than my current longest setup.  Do you all have any suggestions?  

[Riazuli]

Had to get rid of that "what-if", @keltonz        

[keltonz]

I'll be following with great interest @Riazuli

[Stephen B]

Most rods designed for those applications are typically much longer than 7'2. It may be tough to find a rod that would work for what you are doing. What size weight are you planning to be punching?

[Bassin_Harrison]

If you can go up to a 7'3", I would go with the Okuma Scott Martin TCS rods. I got my last fall for my birthday and an extremely nice rod. Plus its 140 but can be found for 110 on Amazon, its a steal really. Thats where I got mine from and it came perfectly fine with all the guides lined up correctly. If you want more input, look at the reviews on TW. And aesthetically it looks amazing!

[Riazuli]

7 minutes ago, Stephen B said:

Most rods designed for those applications are typically much longer than 7'2. It may be tough to find a rod that would work for what you are doing. What size weight are you planning to be punching?

Yeah, I know.  Was part of reason I made the specific size requirement.  I'm currently eyeing the St. Croix Mojo Bass Slop n' Frog Road at 7'4" that is $140.  I definitely don't want to go longer than that.  I'm more interesting in froggin than punching, so the rod specs really need to just revolve around that. 

6 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

If you can go up to a 7'3", I would go with the Okuma Scott Martin TCS rods. I got my last fall for my birthday and an extremely nice rod. Plus its 140 but can be found for 110 on Amazon, its a steal really. Thats where I got mine from and it came perfectly fine with all the guides lined up correctly. If you want more input, look at the reviews on TW. And aesthetically it looks amazing!

Thank you! I am looking into that now

 

Couple questions, I've heard horror stories about Amazon's rod packaging - how was your packaging?  It's great that yours arrived in good condition.  Also, what difference would you say there would be between the 7' Heavy they have and the 7'3 Heavy?

[Bassin_Harrison]

4 minutes ago, Riazuli said:

Thank you! I am looking into that now

There is also a 7'6" model, which is a lot longer than what you wanted but it will be better for punching. Might be a bit long for a frog rod tho, so the 7'3" or that 7'4" mojo would be good probably.

[Stephen B]

I would definitely check out some of the Classic Closeouts as you can get a good rod for a great closeout price.

[Riazuli]

18 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

There is also a 7'6" model, which is a lot longer than what you wanted but it will be better for punching. Might be a bit long for a frog rod tho, so the 7'3" or that 7'4" mojo would be good probably.

I actually like the design of the Okuma you pointed out.  Looking more into those, and gonna weigh between the 7' and 7'3"

 

Edit: I noticed the Okuma 7'3" H has a much wider spec range than the 7' H for line weight and lure weight, so I may go with that if I don't come across anything else.  @BigBass'n_Harrison

[Riazuli]

Edited - please delete

[CroakHunter]

I use a 7'3 lews tp-1 speed stick for frogging and pitching Texas rigs up to 3/4 ounce. It's a really nice rod for $99. Super strong backbone with just a little too to be able to cast frogs

[Riazuli]

17 minutes ago, CroakHunter said:

I use a 7'3 lews tp-1 speed stick for frogging and pitching Texas rigs up to 3/4 ounce. It's a really nice rod for $99. Super strong backbone with just a little too to be able to cast frogs

Looking into it, thank you! 

[kroberts9]

Well I prefer a 7'4 for my frog and a 7'6 for punching. If you sneak a bit outside height diawa tatula XT has a couple in your  price range. I own 7 diawa rods and the quality of them is amazing. Got to tacklewarehouse and take a peak you will not be disappointed 

[YaknBassn]

Ark Invoker 7'4" Mag Heavy is an option if you're willing to get a rod just a bit longer.  For a rod with It's rated specs, it's a long way from a broomstick. 

 

I use it for punching but I think it could easily handle frogs without problem. 

 

If I'm not mistaken, they're still on sale for $120.  Excellent buy at that price.

[Riazuli]

14 minutes ago, kroberts9 said:

Well I prefer a 7'4 for my frog and a 7'6 for punching. If you sneak a bit outside height diawa tatula XT has a couple in your  price range. I own 7 diawa rods and the quality of them is amazing. Got to tacklewarehouse and take a peak you will not be disappointed 

 

7 minutes ago, YaknBassn said:

Ark Invoker 7'4" Mag Heavy is an option if you're willing to get a rod just a bit longer.  For a rod with It's rated specs, it's a long way from a broomstick. 

 

I use it for punching but I think it could easily handle frogs without problem. 

 

If I'm not mistaken, they're still on sale for $120.  Excellent buy at that price.

 

16 minutes ago, kroberts9 said:

Well I prefer a 7'4 for my frog and a 7'6 for punching. If you sneak a bit outside height diawa tatula XT has a couple in your  price range. I own 7 diawa rods and the quality of them is amazing. Got to tacklewarehouse and take a peak you will not be disappointed 

Thanks, guys. I'm somewhat flexible here but definitely putting my cap on 7'4".  Looks like I've got a few to check out! I appreciate the suggestions. 

[optimator]

No one has mentioned the Dobyns Fury 735C?

[SenkoGuru]

Since you said you would  like a 7'2, take a look at the Powell Inferno 7'2 Frogging rod.

[Riazuli]

I've heard a lot of good things about Dobyn's rods, and like the look of that rod.  Plus would be more comfortable with Dobyn's or St. Croix due to warranty handling -  read of instances of the Okuma rods snapping too easily and people having to pay almost as much as they paid for the rods to complete a claim. 

[optimator]

1 minute ago, Riazuli said:

I've heard a lot of good things about Dobyn's rods, and like the look of that rod.  Plus would be more comfortable with Dobyn's or St. Croix due to warranty handling -  read of instances of the Okuma rods snapping too easily and people having to pay almost as much as they paid for the rods to complete a claim. 

I had a similar thread to this one. I had narrowed it down to the Tatula or the Dobyns. I went with the Dobyns for a couple of reasons. First, I called Dobyns to ask a few questions and they were very helpful. Second, and most important to me was the lifetime warranty. 

[Riazuli]

1 minute ago, optimator said:

I had a similar thread to this one. I had narrowed it down to the Tatula or the Dobyns. I went with the Dobyns for a couple of reasons. First, I called Dobyns to ask a few questions and they were very helpful. Second, and most important to me was the lifetime warranty. 

Thank you for commenting - I noticed your post and thought to make a separate one due to wanting some length limitations - I am also narrowed down to the Dobyn's and maybe the Mojo - the Inferno looks nice but maybe a bit too flashy for me.  Like you, the warranty was a big factor, but the shipping fees have to be taken into consideration with that too.  The most reasonable way to do it would be to just take it to a dealer and pay them the $50 if it becomes an issue so there's no hassle with shipping and then having to pay for return shipping. 

[optimator]

1 minute ago, Riazuli said:

Thank you for commenting - I noticed your post and thought to make a separate one due to wanting some length limitations - I am also narrowed down to the Dobyn's and maybe the Mojo - the Inferno looks nice but maybe a bit too flashy for me.  Like you, the warranty was a big factor, but the shipping fees have to be taken into consideration with that too.  The most reasonable way to do it would be to just take it to a dealer and pay them the $50 if it becomes an issue so there's no hassle with shipping and then having to pay for return shipping. 

 

Shipping rates don't mean much to me. I run a warehouse so I pay commercial rates  Back to the rods though, I was also able to handle a Mojo. I liked the feel of the Dobyns better. Not that it means much since I wasn't able to fish both of them. 

[Riazuli]

I think I'll be getting a Tatula SV TW and thought of pairing it with a Tatula frogging rod, but I'm a sucker for cork handles, so I'm pretty sure Dobyn's is the way I'm gonna go on this one, the 735C.  Thank you all for your suggestions!

[J Francho]

 

Not even a day old....

[new2BC4bass]

Yesterday Walmart Online had the 7' HF Okuma Helios listed at 2 prices.  One was $90.17 and the other what they have it listed for today....$131.31....a $180 rod.  Here is a quote from the first review at TW, "Have this rod in the 7' heavy action version, absolutely in love with it, by far the best frogging rod I've used, have it paired with a Daiwa Tatula 7:3:1 and I've had an amazing frog fishing year with this combo! Highly recommend this rod!"  (I did change the spelling on one word so it is correct.  )

 

OP, you posted while I was typing.  My other suggestion was going to be the Tatula 7'4" HF if you were willing to go that long.  It is the rod I got for frogging.  So far no fish with it yet.    I did post about the casting distance I was getting with a 5/8 oz. hollow-bodied frog.  I don't think I would want much more than that as it is hard for me to see the frog at my current distance.

 

EDIT:  My only Helios is the 7' MF.  Liked it well enough to buy a second.  Very light at 3.4 oz.

 

 

[Riazuli]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

Not even a day old....

I noticed that post, but had specific length requirements for mine.  Thanks for pointing it out. 

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Yesterday Walmart Online had the 7' HF Okuma Helios listed at 2 prices.  One was $90.17 and the other what they have it listed for today....$131.31....a $180 rod.  Here is a quote from the first review at TW, "Have this rod in the 7' heavy action version, absolutely in love with it, by far the best frogging rod I've used, have it paired with a Daiwa Tatula 7:3:1 and I've had an amazing frog fishing year with this combo! Highly recommend this rod!"  (I did change the spelling on one word so it is correct.  )

 

OP, you posted while I was typing.  My other suggestion was going to be the Tatula 7'4" HF if you were willing to go that long.  It is the rod I got for frogging.  So far no fish with it yet.    I did post about the casting distance I was getting with a 5/8 oz. hollow-bodied frog.  I don't think I would want much more than that as it is hard for me to see the frog at my current distance.

 

 

I considered the Okuma rods, but I've read some reviews of the rod snapping in half on a few people - I actually had considered that one first. I'm going to give it another look - maybe those were freak occurrences.  Seeing as I'm going with a tatula reel now, I would actually prefer a tatula rod, but no cork is a deal breaker for me.  

 

Edit: I actually like the look of the Okuma way better, and now I don't know again! Lol