New Frog Rod Suggestions

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I broke my frog rod a few days ago when I put the dreaded high stick maneuver on a 5 pound largemouth while bank fishing. I’ve been scouring the Internet for a replacement, but I’m having trouble deciding. I was using a 13 Fishing Fate Black (the lime green). 7’4” Heavy/Fast. Would like to maybe go a couple inches shorter, but definitely don’t want anything over 7’4”. Price range is around $150 but might possibly consider spending a little more bc I throw frogs a lot. My top choice right now is the Dobyns FR735C or the 734C. Haven’t used a Dobyns before, but I’ve heard nothing but good things.  

[GReb]

Fury is a fine rod but a little heavy in weight. You’re gonna wear yourself out throwing a frog on it all day

[kayaking_kev]

The Fate Blacks powers are pretty under-rated, even more so than the Dobyns rods. The MH Fate Black was actually .4 oz. heavier than my MH Fury though, and the 734c Fury is probably the strongest of the 734's out of any of the Dobyns series. But, most would use the 735c to frog fish on and I would think that would weigh pretty close to that 7'4 Heavy Fate Black at around 5.5 oz. It's a little heavy, but if that's what your used to and your a strong enough guy then it shouldn't be a problem and you get the lifetime warranty with Dobyns. I had the Sierra 735c for Frog fishing and liked it because it has a little softer of a tip. You can usually find Sierras for under $150 with 20% sales that pop up on Dobyns rods frequently. 

 

I have experience with the SLX Heavy rod and they are lighter than Dobyns, but are also tip heavy in the heavier models.

 

I also had a Fenwick HMX 7'6 Heavy and that thing was stiff and weighed 6.0 oz.

 

There's also the Daiwa Tatula 7'4 Heavy Frog Rod

 

If you want a really light rod, try to Phenix Feather 7'3 XHH

 

 

[BlackwaterPark10]

I recommend the Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift Frog Rod. Ive used it for everything from frogging to throwing a senko and its been great for me. 

 

https://fitzgeraldrods.com/bryan-thrift-series-2/

 

 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I always felt like I could’ve have gotten away with something a little lighter than the Fate I was using. Would the 734C fit the bill? Might even consider both the 734 and 735. That way I’d be able to cover heavier cover as well as a little more open water situations. 

[jbrew73]

7’ hvy Hammer.  The best frog rod I’ve used. It’s a mod fast/fast action that loads perfectly for long cast and the action was also great on hooksets.  The length and weight didn’t wear out my wrist either.    

[kayaking_kev]

29 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I always felt like I could’ve have gotten away with something a little lighter than the Fate I was using. Would the 734C fit the bill? Might even consider both the 734 and 735. That way I’d be able to cover heavier cover as well as a little more open water situations. 

The Fury 734c is rated as a Heavy also, and if the power rating is comparable to my experience with the MH Fate Black and MH Fury, the 734c Fury should be more powerful, but that is just a guess. I'm not sure what your Heavy Fate Black weighed, but my MH weighed 5.0 oz. and the 734c Champion XP Heavy I have weighs 5.2 oz. The Fury will probably weigh a little more than the Champion, but not by much and my guess is it might be a bit lighter than your Heavy Fate Black. 

 

If you're fishing a frog in open water a MH rod should be good enough though, depending on the manufacturer, I wouldn't toss a frog on a MH Fate Black, because as I said they are closer to a Medium than a Dobyns MH is and Dobyns is known for over-rating their powers. I've used my Champion XP 734c for frogs in open water and light cover and it did pretty good. For moderate cover I would go with the 735c and for really heavy cover, the 736c.

 

Out of all those rods I have tried for frogging, I liked the Sierra 735c the best, because I prefer softer tips, but wouldn't be the best for really heavy cover.

[NorcalBassin]

Tough to beat that 735 Fury at that price point. I have a Curado 200k on mine and never felt as though that combo was heavy or tired me out. Lots of options out there but the 735 will be tough to beat sub $150.

[new2BC4bass]

Maybe more than you want to spend, but ALX Toadface since you like to toss a frog a lot.

 

Only weighed one Hammer.  A 7'3" MH and it weighed 3.87 oz.  The Toadface weighs 4.25 oz.  Extremely versatile rod.

 

 

EDIT:  There is a link inside the above that is also about $150 frog rods.  Just not limited to 7'2" rods.

[txchaser]

Based on advice from a bunch of threads on bass resource, I bought the Irod Fred's Magic Stick. It is well built and the tip is just right, at least for me. My other rods are more expensive by a good bit, and I was a little worried I'd hate it. Nope. Glad I bought it and I'd do it again.

 

[new2BC4bass]

19 hours ago, txchaser said:

Based on advice from a bunch of threads on bass resource, I bought the Irod Fred's Magic Stick. It is well built and the tip is just right, at least for me. My other rods are more expensive by a good bit, and I was a little worried I'd hate it. Nope. Glad I bought it and I'd do it again.

 

I would have added this rod as an option except the OP doesn't want one over 7'4" and would prefer less.  Don't have one, but it gets excellent reviews.

[aPaul19]

It’s slightly over $150 but the ALX Ikos series has a few good options, one is a 7ft Heavy and one is a 7’3 Heavy.  I have the 7’3 and use it frogs among other things, super versatile.  Quality is really good and great customer service. 

[GReb]

My fury 734 weighed 6.9 ounces I believe. Personally I felt a difference after casting it all day vs comparable rods from other manufacturers that weigh 4 ounces. But the action of the Fury is spot on

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

Thanks for all the input guys. Still trying to make a decision. Hoping I can find a few of the rods y’all have recommended in store so I can put them in my hand. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 10/10/2020 at 2:19 PM, kayaking_kev said:

The Fate Blacks powers are pretty under-rated, even more so than the Dobyns rods.

1.  I tried the same green rod and hated the action.  Maybe I got a bad blank but the thing just wouldn't load.  You can have mine for the price of shipping!

 

2.  You could throw a frog on a 734, but I'd be hesitant to tangle with a big one in heavy cover.  Love that rod for a buzzbait or jig.  Can't speak on the 735.

 

3.   Currently frogging with the Falcon BuCoo 7'4 H/F.  I think they call it a heavy cover jig rod, but it's handled frog duty for me just fine.   Very reasonable price tag ($110) but depending on your location, can be tough to find in store.  Also available in a 7'0 H/F.

[Hammer 4]

Consider the Tatula XT 7'4" frog rod. Very light weight, great action and very affordable.

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

11 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Consider the Tatula XT 7'4" frog rod. Very light weight, great action and very affordable.

I was looking at this rod as well. I’m usually pond fishing and throwing a frog in duckweed, but sometimes I fish scattered hyacinth. I’d love something that would be good for both. When I’m fishing the duckweed, I feel like I could get away with a slightly lighter power road, but I’d like a little heavier for the hyacinth... just to be able to rip through the pads if necessary. 

[kayaking_kev]

3 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

1.  I tried the same green rod and hated the action.  Maybe I got a bad blank but the thing just wouldn't load.  You can have mine for the price of shipping!

 

2.  You could throw a frog on a 734, but I'd be hesitant to tangle with a big one in heavy cover.  Love that rod for a buzzbait or jig.  Can't speak on the 735.

 

3.   Currently frogging with the Falcon BuCoo 7'4 H/F.  I think they call it a heavy cover jig rod, but it's handled frog duty for me just fine.   Very reasonable price tag ($110) but depending on your location, can be tough to find in store.  Also available in a 7'0 H/F.

1. No, thanks! I think I paid $40 each for the two I had and sold them pretty quickly. They were some of the cheapest feeling rods I've touched. Now, I did have a Defy Black Crankbait 7'3 H/M rod that I liked a lot, but sold it when I bought a Champion 736 Glass rod. The guy I sold it to ended up breaking it within a week or two.

 

I may of said it wrong, but what I meant is that the MH I had was like a Medium, if that.

 

2. I agree. I would only throw a frog on it in mostly open water, light cover.

 

3. I just picked up a NFC X-Ray 7'10 Mag Heavy blank that I'm going to cut down to about 7'5 and use it as my power rod.

 

[rtwvumtneer6]

11 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

 

I may of said it wrong, but what I meant is that the MH I had was like a Medium, if that.

That surprises me.  The one I have was so stiff in the tip it basically recoiled ?

[NathanDLTH]

I am currently using a Megabass Orochi F7-70k XXX Destruction for frogging. It’s got plenty of power but a slower load as the action is regular. I have better hook ups than a fast action and more consistent when using heavier braid. Different strokes for different folks. That’s all. 

[FishinBoddy]

On 10/10/2020 at 11:52 AM, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I broke my frog rod a few days ago when I put the dreaded high stick maneuver on a 5 pound largemouth while bank fishing. I’ve been scouring the Internet for a replacement, but I’m having trouble deciding. I was using a 13 Fishing Fate Black (the lime green). 7’4” Heavy/Fast. Would like to maybe go a couple inches shorter, but definitely don’t want anything over 7’4”. Price range is around $150 but might possibly consider spending a little more bc I throw frogs a lot. My top choice right now is the Dobyns FR735C or the 734C. Haven’t used a Dobyns before, but I’ve heard nothing but good things.  

St croix mojo bass 7ft 4in heavy /fast action they use really good quality components and material on the blank $150 it will last a lifetime if you take care of it  and has a great warranty