Best frog rod under $150 and 7'2"

[new2BC4bass]

I like cork, and wasn't much of a split handle fan at first.  Now neither concern me.  Only the rod's capabilities.  However, I do have a tendency to disregard rods with certain colors.  Don't own a white one.  Don't own a Lightning Shock.  I have several Tatula rods.  Excellent value for the money.  Especially since they can often be found for $110 or less, but I feel they are very good rods at full price.

 

I see you are a "reel" nerd.  I have something of a love affair with reels.    Have several times more than I need.

[Riazuli]

20 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I like cork, and wasn't much of a split handle fan at first.  Now neither concern me.  Only the rod's capabilities.  However, I do have a tendency to disregard rods with certain colors.  Don't own a white one.  Don't own a Lightning Shock.  I have several Tatula rods.  Excellent value for the money.  Especially since they can often be found for $110 or less, but I feel they are very good rods at full price.

 

I see you are a "reel" nerd.  I have something of a love affair with reels.    Have several times more than I need.

I'm a techy nerd in general, and it's hard not to appreciate the fine work that goes into a nice reel.  I hear what you're saying about performance being a key factor, but cork has a feel to it that I've just grown accustomed to.  That being said, the Okuma doesn't have a ton of cork on it, so it is somewhat of a look thing for me too.  The Dobyn's has more cork where I would be gripping the most, so that's where I'm kinda stuck now - It's most likely going to stay a battle between the Okuma and the Dobyns

 

Oh, also, I just noticed you were talking about the Helios by Okuma for the second listing you were talking about - I am looking at the Okuma Helios TCS, which is what I thought you were referring to - were you? 

[new2BC4bass]

Was talking about the regular Helios.  Just checked to make sure.  Now Walmart has it for $124.99 and Jet has a multicolor for $121.34 and the traditional for $129.78.  Didn't think Okuma made a multicolor.  Wonder if it is a misprint.  Anyone know?

[J Francho]

I have several Okuma rods from their EVX, Guide Select, and Helios, and have fished them heavily without issue.  The EVX 7'2" Heavy is a really nice rod that fits both your length, power, and price point.

 

Also, the TCS is Scott Martin's line, not a Helios, which is their high level line.  They do make a Helios TCS reel, which has blue accents to match the TCS rods, while the regular Helios has green accents to match the Helios rods.

[Bassin_Harrison]

3 hours ago, Riazuli said:

I'm a techy nerd in general, and it's hard not to appreciate the fine work that goes into a nice reel.  I hear what you're saying about performance being a key factor, but cork has a feel to it that I've just grown accustomed to.  That being said, the Okuma doesn't have a ton of cork on it, so it is somewhat of a look thing for me too.  The Dobyn's has more cork where I would be gripping the most, so that's where I'm kinda stuck now - It's most likely going to stay a battle between the Okuma and the Dobyns

 

Oh, also, I just noticed you were talking about the Helios by Okuma for the second listing you were talking about - I am looking at the Okuma Helios TCS, which is what I thought you were referring to - were you? 

I was the one that mentioned the Okuma Scott Martin TCS rods origianlly yesterday. Sorry I didn't respond very fast. The helios rods are nice but they are $30 more expensive and the TCS rods can be found on Amazon for $105-$110. So even if you looked at the helios rods on Walmart Online, they would still be more expensive. I personally think that the TCS rods look better, that little bit of cork with the eva look is nice. And the reel seat is very comfortable IMO. I hope this helps you! And the black and gold Tatula rod would be a great choice too, especially to go along with the SV TW. 

[Riazuli]

On 3/21/2018 at 12:35 PM, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

I was the one that mentioned the Okuma Scott Martin TCS rods origianlly yesterday. Sorry I didn't respond very fast. The helios rods are nice but they are $30 more expensive and the TCS rods can be found on Amazon for $105-$110. So even if you looked at the helios rods on Walmart Online, they would still be more expensive. I personally think that the TCS rods look better, that little bit of cork with the eva look is nice. And the reel seat is very comfortable IMO. I hope this helps you! And the black and gold Tatula rod would be a great choice too, especially to go along with the SV TW. 

Thanks everyone, so I went ahead and purchased the TCS  The looks of the cork accent also won me over, along with the price tag - I ordered with Walmart pickup and got the rod for around $105.  With a Walmart across the street from me, I can make sure the rod is in good condition while I'm there and if there are any freak breakages, I know Walmart has a really good return /exchange policy.  I may go ahead and add the protection plan at that price just to secure any concerns I might have.  Thanks again all! 

[Dtrombly]

Nice! Those look like really nice rods

[new2BC4bass]

I assume you got the 7'3" HF.  I like that it lists 1/4 oz. on the low end.  Mine is 1/2 oz.  Theoretically it should do better casting the 1/2 and 5/8 oz. frogs I currently use.  Although as I mentioned, any further than I now get could cause problems keeping track of the frog.  However, the TCS shouldn't require a full power cast to achieve the same distance.

 

I hope you report back with your observations once you get to use the new rod.  Can't have too many reviews. 

[Riazuli]

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I assume you got the 7'3" HF.  I like that it lists 1/4 oz. on the low end.  Mine is 1/2 oz.  Theoretically it should do better casting the 1/2 and 5/8 oz. frogs I currently use.  Although as I mentioned, any further than I now get could cause problems keeping track of the frog.  However, the TCS shouldn't require a full power cast to achieve the same distance.

 

I hope you report back with your observations once you get to use the new rod.  Can't have too many reviews. 

I did go with 7'3" as that was directly recommended for frogging by Okuma and the lure weight and line weight range is much wider than the 7'.  I'll surely report back!!  I've actually never used a heavy rod and I've muscled (and lost) some decent fish out of slop where I fish.  Most of them were lost as they got stuck in weeds, so I'm looking forward to the added backbone for muscling them out of there. 

[J Francho]

The heavier TCS rods have plenty of muscle, but a somewhat forgiving and longer tip.  This makes them easier to cast than a pool cue stick.  Not the same rod by any stretch, but features a similar bend under load, here's a review I wrote of a TCS rod: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/mat-daddy-helios-review.html

 

[Riazuli]

5 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The heavier TCS rods have plenty of muscle, but a somewhat forgiving and longer tip.  This makes them easier to cast than a pool cue stick.  Not the same rod by any stretch, but features a similar bend under load, here's a review I wrote of a TCS rod: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/mat-daddy-helios-review.html

 

Awesome, reading it now! Thank you

 

Edit: Great article!!

[Bassin_Harrison]

1 hour ago, Riazuli said:

Thanks everyone, so I ahead and purchased the TCS  The looks of the cork accent also won me over, along with the price tag - I ordered with Walmart pickup and got the rod for around $105.  With a Walmart across the street from me, I can make sure the rod is in good condition while I'm there and if there are any freak breakages, I know Walmart has a really good return /exchange policy.  I may go ahead and add the protection plan at that price just to secure any concerns I might have.  Thanks again all! 

Great choice! Your going to love it! Good luck... tight lines!

[CTBassin860]

Daiwa Tatula 721HFB 7'2" HF and 150$ tops. Amazing rod. 

[Riazuli]

1 hour ago, MassBassin508 said:

Daiwa Tatula 721HFB 7'2" HF and 150$ tops. Amazing rod. 

That was in the running, but the Okuma won out, mainly because it's a comparable rod that I was able to get for around 50 less than MSRP of $150 and I liked how it looked better than the others too. 

[MDbassin]

Dobyns Fury 735C

[Riazuli]

1 minute ago, MDbassin said:

Dobyns Fury 735C

That was a strong contender and was pretty sure I was going to go with that one, but then I came across the Okuma TCS and it won out.  

[Falkus]

Max 3D 736 CEF Frog Mag Heavy - (my current set up) 

or Dobyns Fury 735c 

[Gus Heinze]

I bought one of these at my local Walmart after watching this video review. It's a Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick. They sell a crankbait version and a frog-rod version. It's only $39+tax and seems every bit as good as a Berkley Shock Rod.

 

I put my Lew's super duty SD1XH that I picked up on sale at Academy for $139. Not saying this is the ideal rod/reel combo but theh frog-rod for $39 is a steel if you ask me.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Y02G5NKzU&t=223s

 

Edit: sorry forgot to mention it's no 7'2", it's 7'0"

[Riazuli]

Thanks for the continued suggestions, guys!  I've already purchased a rod (Okuma Helios TCS Frogging rod 7'3" H), but I'm sure people will appreciate what's been suggested   

[JDV]

On 3/20/2018 at 8:12 PM, Riazuli said:

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. 

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?

I've gotten 3 rods from Amazon (Ugly stiks and Daiwa Tatula Rods that all came in flattened cardboard boxes with zero padding.   Amazingly they arrived unbroken somehow, but it is pretty absurd how some package them.  If not for quick shipping from Prime and free returns I definitely wouldn't do it.

[new2BC4bass]

13 hours ago, Riazuli said:

Thanks for the continued suggestions, guys!  I've already purchased a rod (Okuma Helios TCS Frogging rod 7'3" H), but I'm sure people will appreciate what's been suggested   

Hasn't ever stopped anybody yet from continuing to make suggestions. 

[Riazuli]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Hasn't ever stopped anybody yet from continuing to make suggestions. 

To everyone's credit, it was only the fourth time I mentioned it... 

[Falkus]

d**n --- we wanted to make sure that the monkey was well fed

 

 

[Riazuli]

33 minutes ago, Burke said:

d**n --- we wanted to make sure that the monkey was well fed

 

 

Instead of fattening up before the winter like most animals, the monkey ate everything he could before the spring...no more room left for the monkey.  I'll punch him in the face if he asks for more!  

[bait__Monkey]

11 hours ago, Riazuli said:

I'll punch him in the face if he asks for more!

i knot dun wit u.  thretin me and i kut yu wit banana