Need Reccomendations for Heavy braid Frog, topwater combo

[FishingGeekTX]

Well, you're wiser than me.  When I got back into fishing this year and heard all the talk of magic setups, I just bought first and asked questions later.  No budget (mid 40s), but I feel a bit silly and wasteful   But I suppose the only setup I haven't really used much is the swimbait setup..even bigger and more outrageous.

 

I agree with your sober assessment.  If it's mostly clear lakes and you max fish 20# braid, small bass, and you already have 3 baitcasters but mostly use your spinning...I'd pass and not give it a second thought, you'd probably hurt your experience with an overly heavy rod and line anyway.  They are not a joy to fish all day.  You may want to get a smaller frog (like 2.5 inch) if it's smaller fish, might improve your strike ratio too.  I'd save up and get a nicer spinning rod/reel that you plan to utilize more, if you really have money burning a hole and want to spend it on your fishing hobby.

 

For pros fishing heavy weeds and mats, being able to quickly horse a fish up over the weeds and into the boat has some of value because of the pressure of competition.  In my case, I routinely fish a lot of areas that are so choked with weeds and mats that such, that it's one of the few lures I can even get in there effectively..knowing I'll have to go through big weed beds if I do get a fish.

[GeekOutdoors]

On 6/13/2019 at 5:03 PM, AlTheFisherman313 said:

Nice! One of my next fishing purchases is a kayak, there are just some spots you can’t take a boat. Is landing a big boy as intimidating as I think it will be the first time in a kayak? Or if I get a wider more stable kayak not so much? 

 

And tight lines with the new combo brother! 

 

On 6/13/2019 at 6:12 PM, michaelb said:

If by "big boy" you mean pike, then yes they are. I often take my time when the pike is next to the boat in the hope that they may just throw the lure out on their own and I don't have to deal with trying to pick it up. A large pike with a mouth full of trebles between your legs can be challenging (I avoid or remove trebles from lures).

 

But large bass can be easier. they have a bigger mouth and so more room to get your thumb in there and grab them.

 

On 6/14/2019 at 2:54 AM, AlTheFisherman313 said:

Absolutely, I was more concerned with a huge pike or even a musky when I’m up north. I think I’m gonna end up getting a kayak trolling motor hybrid that’s a stand up caster as well. I know I have to register it as a boat, but I think it would be great for river fishing and shallows. Otherwise we usually fish off a 16 foot Boston whaler.... and a dingy for a secret drain spot you can’t get back in anything else lol. Obviously a dedicated bass boat would be great, but I’m 28 a real boat will come to me when I earn it! 

 

Plus I will say you could fish off really almost any boat with better results than shore in my personal opinion. Being able to work along the weed beds and not threw them is productive and less frustrating 

The kayak way of securely doing it for angler, precious gear and fish is landing is with a net. I always use a net if the fish fits in. With pikes too big to fit the net, I'm using fish grips and try to unhook it next to the yak.

[punch]

On 6/12/2019 at 10:05 AM, ResoKP said:

"topwater" refers to lures like poppers, spooks, etc. You'll rip those treble hooks out of the fish with an overpowering frog rod. Topwater and frogs are two completely different categories. I'm guessing OP isn't using the term "topwater" correctly because I can't imagine anyone would want to use a 7'2"-7'6" H to XF frog rod for a popper...

 

OP, get the new Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch for your frogging & other heavy applications. I have the Orochi XX PP and if the actions are similar (which I'm guessing they are) it's a great frog rod & very versatile for many other applications.

The Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch is a fantastic recommendation. I have that rod and it's pretty great. You can use it for frogs, medium swimbaits, and jigs (1/2oz would be a sweet spot) and heavier texas rigs. 

 

Pair it up with any of the $100ish reels and slap some braid on it, you'll be set. 

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, punch said:

The Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch is a fantastic recommendation. I have that rod and it's pretty great. You can use it for frogs, medium swimbaits, and jigs (1/2oz would be a sweet spot) and heavier texas rigs. 

 

Pair it up with any of the $100ish reels and slap some braid on it, you'll be set. 

The three rods I use for frogs are ALX Toadface, Orochi Perfect Pitch and Daiwa Tatula Heavy 7’-2”.  Each works well for jigs too, Alex at ALX touts the Toadface secondary use as Chatterbaits (works well IMO if using fluorocarbon/co-poly). Very versatile rods overall. 

 

Only caveat on those rods is if you also use for Whopper Ploppers  - the Perfect Pitch is only rated to 1.25 oz and the WP 130 is 1 3/8 oz.  Don’t ask me how I know ... but don’t push an extra fast tip past it’s limit ?

[AlTheFisherman313]

are you fishing in areas with pike? I saw you location is minnesota and I have heard great things about pike, unsure if you guys have musky! Am I wrong to assume they go hand in hand?

 

I almost always fish waters with pike that attack topwaters, and frogs its frustrating to pick what I want to do here. I have heard everything from medium to medium heavy, my mediums handle pike fine, but not the massive lures.

On 6/18/2019 at 12:17 PM, FishingGeekTX said:

Well, you're wiser than me.  When I got back into fishing this year and heard all the talk of magic setups, I just bought first and asked questions later.  No budget (mid 40s), but I feel a bit silly and wasteful   But I suppose the only setup I haven't really used much is the swimbait setup..even bigger and more outrageous.

 

I agree with your sober assessment.  If it's mostly clear lakes and you max fish 20# braid, small bass, and you already have 3 baitcasters but mostly use your spinning...I'd pass and not give it a second thought, you'd probably hurt your experience with an overly heavy rod and line anyway.  They are not a joy to fish all day.  You may want to get a smaller frog (like 2.5 inch) if it's smaller fish, might improve your strike ratio too.  I'd save up and get a nicer spinning rod/reel that you plan to utilize more, if you really have money burning a hole and want to spend it on your fishing hobby.

 

For pros fishing heavy weeds and mats, being able to quickly horse a fish up over the weeds and into the boat has some of value because of the pressure of competition.  In my case, I routinely fish a lot of areas that are so choked with weeds and mats that such, that it's one of the few lures I can even get in there effectively..knowing I'll have to go through big weed beds if I do get a fish.

Whats messing with me is we have had unusual flooding in Michigan, and in my mind I thought this would result in less weeds, for whatever reason they seem worse than ever. I think I am getting frustrated, because the bass in my area are being turned on and off so easily from all the rain and storms. Its making me questions if I need a new go-to combo for just this season and I have no clue what it would be, I feel like in heavy weeds bait presentation is limited some of the lakes I have been attempting to fish are so weed choked I could probably go with just a frog and a pole I feel ok with working a worm with haha.

18 hours ago, punch said:

The Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch is a fantastic recommendation. I have that rod and it's pretty great. You can use it for frogs, medium swimbaits, and jigs (1/2oz would be a sweet spot) and heavier texas rigs. 

 

Pair it up with any of the $100ish reels and slap some braid on it, you'll be set. 

This is the versatility I look for once you cover 3 bait types at least it peaks my interest. I wish I was made of money, but im 29 with bills!

 

I really only have 2 hobbies, hockey and fishing. Hockey is awful at the level I play I break a $300.00 stick almost monthly, so that hobby is always chipping away at my funds. Skates retail for 600.00-900.00 for elite skates I end up destroying in a year. If I was not a part time ref and coach, being able to write skates, helmets, gloves and sticks off I am not sure if I could even afford hockey haha. Its actually the reason I started reffing and coaching was to afford my extra hobbies, as well as spread to love for a sadly dying game. Youth signups are down 20-30%

 

I wish I picked up cheaper hobbies, but being raised in michigan at my age, watching the wings win back to back cups twice hockey was one of the more dominant sports in my area. Than we have the great lakes with amazing fishing, so I guess its in my blood? haha

[Westcoast]

I just received a levente perfect pitch last week. I bought it for use as a frog rod. It’s power is definitely a bit lighter than the rods I’ve used for frogs in the past. But it works very well so far. Easy to add walking and popping action to the frogs and the lighter tip definitely helps cast the smaller frogs too. Also I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for both bottom contact and larger treble hooked too waters like walking and plopping lures. This is my second Megabass rod, the other bring the brigand, both of them have excellent build quality, look sharp and are very light in the hand. I would have no qualms recommending it for what you want it for. 

[Mikeltee]

Frog rods double as flippin sticks not topwater. Heavy backbone to pull them out of the slop and high sensitivity to work the frog and feel the bite of a punching presentation. Topwater pairs with a crankin rod. You can use anything you want. I have a champion 736 and its an awesome frog rod and I throw whopper ploppers on it for now.  Looking for a crankin rod for the topwaters though. I would go with Champion or better with Dobyns. The refurb store has champs for a little more than a fury and lots of cbs on there now. Save me a 705cb please. Furies dont float my boat. Maybe im spoiled on the champs though. They are night and day. My fury 795sb is a great swimbait rod but it doesnt take much more than a big backbone to make a heavy sb rod. My fury 734 is meh.

[BassKicker42]

I use a Dobyns Fury 735 and a Lews tournament mb 8.3:1 and it is perfect for frogs, heavy jigs and larger whopper ploppers. Couldn’t ask for anything more and right around $200.

[AlTheFisherman313]

I think I’m gonna take a trip to bass pro shops this weekend. I wanna see everything in person, but I’m definitely gonna be looking at what was recommended if they have it in stock. 

 

I am still learning about specializing rods for technique. I grew up with a medium ugly stick and a random penn reel my uncle gave me. I caught a ton of fish with that combo and actually still have it, however I have came a long way since those days.

 

really the only reason I’m upgrading is because I’m realizing I can’t do certain things, or fish a certain way to it’s full potential. I don’t think it’s wise for me to keep throwing a frog into reeds on 10-15 pound braid. I know you can, but my fear with the frog is having a fish take it, break me off in cover and be unable to eat from the frog blocking its mouth. I am huge on preservation of fisheries. I’m not even kidding I am the guy who calls the dnr? I have unfortunately had to report a guy who had a bucket of undersized bass. Over his limits under On size needless to say I wasn’t happy. I really don’t understand that mentality. It’s one thing If your private pond is overstocked, but to do it on a public fishery is ruining the future of the water, in return ruining the sport they claim to love.