Frogging/Flipping Casting Rod Recommendations

[dbjonesjr]

All - I’m 20 and I’ve fished multipurpose rods for most of my life (never been able to justify spending money on setups for different techniques). I’ve been throwing frogs on a 7’ MH/F and now that I’ve been spending more time fishing I’d like to get a heavier rod for frogging and throwing heavier baits in general. I fish ponds often during the summer and it’s not uncommon to be pulling fish in the 4-7 lb range out of pretty heavy cover. In fall and winter I spend some time fishing for rockfish so this will hopefully be a capable rod for that as well. As a reference (since I’m just simply not experienced on the topic), I’ll provide some setups I’ve really liked using. I’d like to stay under the $150 mark with an ideal price of $100 or less.

 

7’ MH/F Fenwick Aetos w/ Lew’s Mach Crush

7’ H/F Fenwick Aetos w/ Abu Garcia Revo STX

7’ MH/F Duckett Ghost w/ Lew’s Speed Spool LFS

7’ MH/F Bass Pro CarbonLite 2.0 w/ Abu Garcia Revo SX

 

[Heartland]

Just needing the rod for 100-150.

 

 

[txchaser]

Are you looking for a rod in the 100-150 or a full setup in that range?

[dbjonesjr]

Sorry guys - I have a Lew’s Mach Crush and 13 Fishing Concept Z sitting around so I’m only looking for a rod for that price range.

Also I’ve tried the Berkley rods before and while they are a good budget option I’m not a huge fan and willing to spend more.

[Sphynx]

You have an absolute bevy of options in the 100 to 150 range, a 7'4 HF St. Croix Mojo Bass rod would run you $140 or so any day of the week, maybe closer to that $100 mark if you are patient and find it on sale, 7'4 HF Tatula is about a $20 above your range, a sale might put it in range, Dobyns Fury series is right middle of that budget range, there are tons of nice rods in the bill to bill.5 range.

[dbjonesjr]

18 minutes ago, Sphynx said:

You have an absolute bevy of options in the 100 to 150 range, a 7'4 HF St. Croix Mojo Bass rod would run you $140 or so any day of the week, maybe closer to that $100 mark if you are patient and find it on sale, 7'4 HF Tatula is about a $20 above your range, a sale might put it in range, Dobyns Fury series is right middle of that budget range, there are tons of nice rods in the bill to bill.5 range.

Think that’s part of my issue. So many good looking options. I’ve used the St. Croix rods and haven’t been a huge fan. Been thinking about giving the Dobyns or Daiwa a try. Just looking to make sure I’m not missing some other obvious choice outside the common mentions I see around here.

[Sphynx]

12 minutes ago, dbjonesjr said:

Think that’s part of my issue. So many good looking options. I’ve used the St. Croix rods and haven’t been a huge fan. Been thinking about giving the Dobyns or Daiwa a try. Just looking to make sure I’m not missing some other obvious choice outside the common mentions I see around here.

Well, when guys like @Catt or @Glenn or @A-Jay are making recommendations, and I'm certain I am forgetting a lot of appropriate names I usually assume they are giving honest advice for the benefit of the reader, these guys and many others put a ton of hours on the water in, and have fished a lot of gear, if it's a common recommendation from the trusted guru's here, there's usually a good reason for it. No replacement for personal experience of course, I happen to be thoroughly enjoying my St. Croix rods, but then if we all liked the same stuff all the time bass pro would be out of business pretty quickly, can you get your hands on any of these rods or are you going to be ordering online? 

[scbassin]

This is a rod you should consider. A Dobyns Fury. T/W has it in stock for $119. With Free shipping over $50. FR 735C. Frogs, Pitchin' & Flippin', Small Swimbaits.

[FryDog62]

Tatula 7'1" Heavy Fast is a good rod for flipping and not too long to frog, walk the dog, etc. at about $150.  If you want to spend less, the Tatula XT 7'3" HF is $100 and the 7'4" HXF is $120.  I prefer these over St. Croix which are well made but quite tip heavy.  Dobyns Fury is a little heavier too, but a better balanced option at $120... best model there might be the 7'3" Mag Heavy.  

[dbjonesjr]

4 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Tatula 7'1" Heavy Fast is a good rod for flipping and not too long to frog, walk the dog, etc. at about $150.  If you want to spend less, the Tatula XT 7'3" HF is $100 and the 7'4" HXF is $120.  I prefer these over St. Croix which are well made but quite tip heavy.  Dobyns Fury is a little heavier too, but a better balanced option at $120... best model there might be the 7'3" Mag Heavy.  

So you find that the Daiwa rods are top heavy? I found 1 of the 7’3” rods in stock and am considering ordering that. I also hear great things about the Dobyns. Feels like those two are the most highly recommended models around. Any thoughts? I’m not sure extra weight would bug me - but I definitely notice when I’m using a heavier rod.

[scbassin]

I have been fishing for 70+ years with 50+ of those years fishing for Bass. Between the years 2000 & 2015 150 to 200 days a year. Then my arm & shoulder said stop. Then a several years ago I found out that when buying a fishing rod balance is the first thing to look for it makes a big difference over time.

[Sphynx]

2 hours ago, dbjonesjr said:

So you find that the Daiwa rods are top heavy? I found 1 of the 7’3” rods in stock and am considering ordering that. I also hear great things about the Dobyns. Feels like those two are the most highly recommended models around. Any thoughts? I’m not sure extra weight would bug me - but I definitely notice when I’m using a heavier rod.

There is nothing wrong with Dobyns rods, lots of customers catching a ton of bass on them, I am certain they would serve you well 

[WRB]

Irod IRG754F Freds Magic Stick is a good frog rod that can be used for smaller swimbaits, heavy jigs and big deep diving cranks bait for $150.

Dobyns FR735C is another good all around rod for $120

Tom

[Code-mam]

I ordered a daiwa tatula 7’4” frogging rod based on all my research I did before ordering a rod

[dbjonesjr]

Ended up ordering a TXT731HFB. If I don’t like it I’ll try the Dobyns. Gonna put the Concept Z on it with heavy braid and hope it does well.

[FryDog62]

12 hours ago, dbjonesjr said:

So you find that the Daiwa rods are top heavy? I found 1 of the 7’3” rods in stock and am considering ordering that. I also hear great things about the Dobyns. Feels like those two are the most highly recommended models around. Any thoughts? I’m not sure extra weight would bug me - but I definitely notice when I’m using a heavier rod.

No not at all - St. Croix rods are the heavy, tip-weighted rods... Daiwa and Dobyns MUCH better..

[wisconsin heat]

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

No not at all - St. Croix rods are the heavy, tip-weighted rods... Daiwa and Dobyns MUCH better..

I'd second this, I have held a lot of stuff croixs in the stores and in my opinion they feel pretty tip heavy.

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, wisconsin heat said:

I'd second this, I have held a lot of stuff croixs in the stores and in my opinion they feel pretty tip heavy.

St. Croix makes great quality rods, very good warranty.  I was a loyalist for years until I picked up a Daiwa, Megabass, Dobyns, ALX, etc.  Was very hard to go back to SC...

[Sphynx]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

St. Croix makes great quality rods, very good warranty.  I was a loyalist for years until I picked up a Daiwa, Megabass, Dobyns, ALX, etc.  Was very hard to go back to SC...

I hate reading posts like this, it usually leads to me doing something silly, like ordering a rod in the 7'-7'3 MHF in one of those lines "just to see" and it invariably leads me to yet another rabbit hole to fall into, St. Croix rods are definitely a thing unto themselves, you either dig it, or you don't, I fished Lews and Walmart rods for years, I have also had the good fortune to fish lots of buddies rods, and I can absolutely attest that what works for one guy may not work at all for another person, a buddy of mine in TX swears the Lews rod he uses is more sensitive than my "St. Croix broomhandle" but I couldn't feel a thing with it, don't be afraid to try a few rods until you find what works, you'll be glad you did.

[Hook2Jaw]

5 hours ago, dbjonesjr said:

Ended up ordering a TXT731HFB. If I don’t like it I’ll try the Dobyns. Gonna put the Concept Z on it with heavy braid and hope it does well.

I think you made a good choice.  I enjoy my 7'6" Tatula XT for pitching, flipping, and deep Carolina rigs and casting jigs.  They're great sticks for the buck.

[dbjonesjr]

3 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

No not at all - St. Croix rods are the heavy, tip-weighted rods... Daiwa and Dobyns MUCH better..

Read your post over again and realized that. Sorry! But yeah... I’ve used a couple of the Mojo rods (my grandfather has a gear addiction) and I don’t blame him for leaving them on the ceiling. Certainly can’t deny the quality of the rods though.

[Hammer 4]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I think you made a good choice.  I enjoy my 7'6" Tatula XT for pitching, flipping, and deep Carolina rigs and casting jigs.  They're great sticks for the buck.

I have the 7'4" XT..mainly for frogging. 

 

Also, the Irod Fred's Magic that WRB mentioned is an excellent rod, I have a couple of them, @ 149.99 they fish well above their price point,and customer service is second to none. 

[dbjonesjr]

On 8/1/2020 at 2:58 AM, Hammer 4 said:

I have the 7'4" XT..mainly for frogging. 

 

Also, the Irod Fred's Magic that WRB mentioned is an excellent rod, I have a couple of them, @ 149.99 they fish well above their price point,and customer service is second to none. 

I'll keep that in mind if I don't like the Daiwa and when I'm looking for my next rod! Thanks.