Frog rod

[Arkansasfishingbigtime]

Hey guys! I’m fed up with buying rods too stiff or too bulky to throw and work a frog all day. So, I did a bit of research and saw a few people saying the Dobyns champion 735 was a great rod, yet I don’t want to spend the money on it. A few people were talking about how to Sierra 735 C is a great rod also at a cheaper price point. If any of you guys own the Sierra I was curious at if a mag heavy will be too much to work the frog on and too heavy to work all day? If you guys have any input thanks 

[Fishes in trees]

There are more rod companies than Dobyns.  Where I look for & buy fishing rods, Dobyns hasn't seen fit to enter the market, so I can't speak to any particular qualities of any Dobyns rod.

 

However, there are times in the season when throwing frogs is a high percentage deal, so I've given some thought to what is necessary in a frog rod.  While most of the frogs in my frog box are around half an ounce, plus or minus, they don' necessarily throw great.   Wind can catch them in the air and the frog doesn't always land exactly where you want it to.   So you got to make a choice, i.e.  do you want a rod that makes it easier to throw frogs or do you want a rod that makes it a little easier to get them out of the slop should you get bit?  Choose accordingly.

 

In the lakes that I'm likely to throw floating frogs, I don't think that extra long casts are really necessary.  Therefore I'm likely to use a rod with an action that increases my chance of getting the fish out once the hook up happens.  One of these rods is a 7'3" Fenwick HMG MH/ex fast tip that is on the heavy side of MH.  I think a sturdy reel is important in this situation so I use a Calcutta TEGT with 65 lb braid.  I've landed fish  up to 21" long with this rig and it seems to keep them close to the surface once they've bit and if I get them on top of the mat I can generally water ski them right into the boat.  (The 21" fish didn't want to be skied back to the boat, had other ideas, but I eventually got it into the boat). Option #B is the same reel paired with an older All Star 6'10" Super Jig rod.  Rod has very similar action the Fenwick, however it is telescopic and stores better in the fishing truck.

 

So - there you got it - my thoughts on frog rods.

[new2BC4bass]

I like my HMGs, but assume they no longer make that model.  I couldn't find one.

 

OP, the ALX Toadface is an excellent frog rod and very versatile, but more than you want to pay.  My other frog rod is an OG Tatula 7'4" HF.  Tatula for Florida, Toadface for local.  Just starting to use a frog, so not all that knowledgeable.  I've read the Ikos Promise makes an excellent frog rod and is more in line with what you want to pay.

 

'Frogs' is one of the techniques listed for the 735C Sierra.  I can only assume Gary knows what his products will do.    So, yeah, it should work fine.  My only Dobyns is a long way from a frog rod.

[Dens228]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

There are more rod companies than Dobyns.  Where I look for & buy fishing rods, Dobyns hasn't seen fit to enter the market, so I can't speak to any particular qualities of any Dobyns rod.

 

 

Exactly!  There's also MegaBass...........

[Bass Rutten]

More expensive but the shimano expride 7'3" ex-hvy makes an excellent and surprisingly light frog rod.

[KP Duty]

If you ate looking for an inexpensive frog rod, I'd look at the 7-3 H Academy Ethos HD rod

  It sports a 30 ton blank and alconite rings for $80.  Surprisingly light weight as well.  They do go on sale somewhat frequently like all house brands, but the Ethos is out of stock online at the moment.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-ethos-hd-baitcast-rod#repChildCatid=3901160

[WRB]

3 hours ago, Arkansasfishingbigtime said:

Hey guys! I’m fed up with buying rods too stiff or too bulky to throw and work a frog all day. So, I did a bit of research and saw a few people saying the Dobyns champion 735 was a great rod, yet I don’t want to spend the money on it. A few people were talking about how to Sierra 735 C is a great rod also at a cheaper price point. If any of you guys own the Sierra I was curious at if a mag heavy will be too much to work the frog on and too heavy to work all day? If you guys have any input thanks 

The advantage with Dobyns is customer service. You can call Gary and ask him if he has any shop deals and whatever you may have a question about his rods or bass fishing.

If the rod is wearing you out it is more then likely not balanced properly.

Tom

 

[Mike L]

I just got the Dobyns 735C based solely on the recommendation from more than a few members here. 
 

I use it for frogs, keel weighted swim baits, heavy spinnerbaits and buzz baits. 
Some folks say it’s a good flipping/pitching stick but it’s too soft for my liking. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[GreenPig]

Daiwa Procyon 7' Heavy is a great rod for the money

[Columbia Craw]

Everyone has their own opinion on what they need from a rod to fish frogs.  The situations are so varied their is no A-typical “frog rod.”  If your fishing really heavy vegetation a Dobyns 6 power will move big fish buried in that cover.  For less dense cover or pads the 5 power has ample power and enough tip to make more precise casts.  If you’ve not handled a Sierra, the actions are a bit slower than a champion.  The majority of guys I fish with fish the 735 Fury with 65 braid.  I just prefer the 6 power. FWIW Dobyns will happily work with any potential dealer.  

[ChrisD46]

19 hours ago, Arkansasfishingbigtime said:

Hey guys! I’m fed up with buying rods too stiff or too bulky to throw and work a frog all day. So, I did a bit of research and saw a few people saying the Dobyns champion 735 was a great rod, yet I don’t want to spend the money on it. A few people were talking about how to Sierra 735 C is a great rod also at a cheaper price point. If any of you guys own the Sierra I was curious at if a mag heavy will be too much to work the frog on and too heavy to work all day? If you guys have any input thanks 

*I use a Dobyns Sierra 735C. for frogs , flipping and pitching with #50 lb. Power Pro braid . The rod is more of a Heavy/ Mod Fast ~ Fast as a Mag Heavy / Fast with other rod companies would most likely be stiffer . I like mine as I also have a Sierra 734C. I use for jigs . *I also tend to be a quick hook setter , so the slight delay of the Sierra line fits my style better . The rod is high quality and it's light enough for me to cast most of the day without fatigue ... Throwing a frog all day though is more fatiguing (in general) any way so you need to take that into consideration . For about the same money  you may also want to check out the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" Ish Monroe frog rod which also is very nice .

[Dumbbassanglr]

You need to pick up these rods and feel them before deciding. One big factor is the overall weight of the rod. In your price range I would consider the Daiwa tatula with the cork handle. It is one of the lightest rods at the price with a good warranty. That being said, I agree with others that have said it is better to get a stiffer rod to get better hook ups and have the power to land the fish, that’s why I have a champion 735 (extra fast) But then you’ll need to learn how to use it because it will be more difficult to cast and work the bait. One thing that can help is getting the best reel you can afford, it can help gain back some of that lost casting distance. 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a Falcon Bucoo 7' 4" H/F and it's been an excellent frog rod for a very affordable price.