How Much $$$ on a Heavy Rod

[Lead Head]

In my opinion, the lightning rod, arid-x, or any other H rod mentioned (nearly any H F or MF) will work fine for frogs. The big trade off is going to be when you have something other than a frog tied on. It comes down to if you want to pay extra for versatility, cosmetics, and comfort. 

[ironbjorn]

58 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

In my opinion, the lightning rod, arid-x, or any other H rod mentioned (nearly any H F or MF) will work fine for frogs. The big trade off is going to be when you have something other than a frog tied on. It comes down to if you want to pay extra for versatility, cosmetics, and comfort. 

I wouldn't touch the modern lightning rod. That clear plastic reel seat cracks or explodes on hooksets. It's a joke.

[Lead Head]

@ironbjorn I will defer to your knowledge here, my experience with them is... dated. 

[FishNTell]

11 hours ago, Lead Head said:

In my opinion, the lightning rod, arid-x, or any other H rod mentioned (nearly any H F or MF) will work fine for frogs. The big trade off is going to be when you have something other than a frog tied on. It comes down to if you want to pay extra for versatility, cosmetics, and comfort. 

So I was mainly thinking of a rod for a frog and some swimbaits but based on what you're saying, you think I could get a 7 ft mh/f and that would handle what I'm talking about well (provided the swimbaits aren't over the weight limit of the rod)?

[Lead Head]

@FishNTell typically, a heavy is better. Frog hooks are large and require quite a bit of force to set. I don't know if you plan to fish pads or weeds, but a H is usually required to handle that stuff. You can get away with a MH that has a max lure weight of 1oz, but braid is a must and you might struggle around cover (especially vegetation, fish go down into it).

Again, this is all just my opinion based on my experience. 

[TNBankFishing]

I’m going to go out on a limb here and actually recommend a entirely different rod from the ones you are interested in.

 

On The Tackle Trap there is a rod in the Megabass JDM Orochi line called the  X7 Destruction. I own the Carbon Head version which is called the Wild Bunch and that rod has serious “it” factor. Frogs in heavy slop? Done. 1/2oz chatterbaits with a cowboy trailer? Easy. 6 inch Megabass Freestyle? Yup.

 

If you’re willing to spend a little more those two rods will do everything on the half ounce to two and a quarter range and do it very well. There are also a couple codes floating around to get 10% off. 
 

I had a hard time justifying spending big bucks on what will essentially be a frog rod, but on reading up on the wild bunch and x7 I found something which could cover so many bases. 
 

As a fair warning it does say up to 2oz but dont try to punch with it. I did last summer and while it handles a 1.25oz weight it does NOT have the leverage to pull a hog outa the salad. 

[lunkerboss923]

I think heavy rods have their place and are very specialized. If you own a boat or you constantly fish lily pads or structure then i could see the necessity to spend high dollar on a rod. For me, I don't come across many situations like this, so my heavy rod is the cheapest in my arsenal. I wouldn't spend over $100 for one or try to find a high end rod on clearance. 

 

I think you have to ask yourself how frequently are you going to use a heavy rod. 

[Hook2Jaw]

In my opinion, a frog rod is no place to skimp on cost.  You need a stick with some tip, backbone, and you need it light enough to constantly twitch it to impart that walk the dog action to your frog.

 

I feel a fifty dollar heavy at the end of the day.  I even feel my one hundred dollar Tatula XT at the end of the day.

 

The absolute bargain bin option for frogging and lighter swimbaits, in my opinion, is a Shimano SLX combo from *** Fishing.

 

On the opposite end I would start looking at the Tatula Elite, Shimano Exprides, Champions, and Fred's Magic Stick from iRod.