Walmart lews rods as a frog rod?

[Tatulatard]

I was handling some walmart lews rods in MH casting and noticed that they have stiff, slower loading tips and pretty stiff back bones.  They were the lews xfinity MH and hank parker MH.  I've handled lews rods that were part of the crush combos and those MH always felt super soft and cheap.   These two walmart rods are leagues better. 

 

The tip on these two rods reminds me of a H powered rod which has got me thinking that they might make for a pretty good budget frog rod and a cheap metal framed centrifugal reel.  I like the classy look of the hank parker and a lews tournament pro lfs would look great on there but those run $150 at cheapest.  The goofy white and green xfinity is appealing too but looks weird.  Maybe if I stuck a green or white reel on it might work for me.  Oh well I'll probably get one of them and use it as an excuse to try a new reel from a brand I normally don't mess with.  Probably a goofy green reel from 13 or Quantum.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

I love my Hank Parker rods. Muey excellente for the price. 

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's mb or LFS so you don't waste your money.

[PhishLI]

12 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

I was handling some walmart lews rods

The Lew's Carbon fire 7'3" H DSG exclusive is a fantastic frog rod. My brother, who buys whatever he wants, grabbed one in a rush and loved it. Lent it to me, said what he thought about it, and he was right. On sale right now for $49.99 down from $70. Also, it cannot be killed. I've tried,

[MyKeyBe]

 

The hank parker might work for you. I tried using mine for frogs and didn't really care for it. Too stiff of a tip for me. Certainly has the shoulders for it though. Nice rods for 40 bucks or less.

[ironbjorn]

There's no way I'd want to set a hook that hard on a rod that cheap.

[T-Billy]

I have the HP 7' MH. It's a stout MH for sure. Slap a Lews LFS on it and you'll have a $140 combo that'll serve you well. 

[suzuki2903]

Lews rods are traditionally stiffer then most but that’s not always a bad thing! I have two xfintity combos I let friends who come along or family use and after a couple years they’re  still work great. The dicks sporting goods exclusive  carbon fire rods are actually really nice and surprised more don’t use them… I’ve got a couple of them and are a little more true to their action then the Walmart xfinity rods .   Several years of abuse from friends and family usage and no issues or breaking to report.  

[Tatulatard]

9 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I have the HP 7' MH. It's a stout MH for sure. Slap a Lews LFS on it and you'll have a $140 combo that'll serve you well. 

For jigs and plastics for sure.  I had a lfs I bought because of all the reviews of it "casting a mile" and was pretty disappointed.  It wanted to overbrake or backlash depending on the settings when casting a frog.  Never could get it dialed in right like a centrifugal reel to really fly out there.  I wish they had the brake from the tournament pro lfs in a $100 reel.

[Eric 26]

I have 2 of the original (solid red Wynn grips) Carbon Fire rods and I love them both. Mine are a 7’-3” hvy and a 6’-10” med.

[PhishLI]

23 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I have 2 of the original (solid red Wynn grips) Carbon Fire rods

We have that version too. No problem socking in an 8/0 Owner Beast hook, so frogs are easy. Even though the 7'3" HF is rated to 1oz, I've thrown baits as high as 1 3/4oz as hard as I could with it without issue. It's way under rated on the label.

[T-Billy]

9 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

For jigs and plastics for sure.  I had a lfs I bought because of all the reviews of it "casting a mile" and was pretty disappointed.  It wanted to overbrake or backlash depending on the settings when casting a frog.  Never could get it dialed in right like a centrifugal reel to really fly out there.  I wish they had the brake from the tournament pro lfs in a $100 reel.

I've never seen any reviews touting it's casting distance. The general concensus seems to be it's mediocre in that dept. It's no rocket launcher, but I get all the distance I need from mine with 1/4oz and up with no backlash issues. I find them easy to dial in. 

 I have four, with the oldest on it's fourth season now. Still smooth as the day I bought it. I think they're a solid value. OMMV.

[Eric 26]

I currently have a Daiwa Tatula CT on my Lews 7’-3” Carbon Fire as a frog combo with 50 lb braid. The tip isn’t the softest tip out there but it launches a couple different frogs I bought off a co-worker a friggin ways?.  My point is I’m not sure if it’s the rod, reel or combination but if you can swing it buy whichever Lews rod strikes your fancy and a used Tatula CT and I think you will be happy. PS I have the 6’-10” Lews Hank Parker rod and it’s identical other than color to the Carbon Fire. As for a killer color match mine is enjoying a Daiwa CA80 aluminum framed reel and it’s awesome. Forgot to add this photo ? it’s not much but it’s my start to a frog/slop only box?

Edited June 9, 2022 by Eric 26
Added content

[georgeyew]

On 6/7/2022 at 9:30 AM, Tatulatard said:

I was handling some walmart lews rods in MH casting and noticed that they have stiff, slower loading tips and pretty stiff back bones.  They were the lews xfinity MH and hank parker MH.  I've handled lews rods that were part of the crush combos and those MH always felt super soft and cheap.   These two walmart rods are leagues better. 

 

 

I saw the bright orange Xfinity MH rods at Walmart tonight. I personally thought that the tip is a bit soft to be used for a frogs. But depending on your technique, it may work for you. I was very surprised to see that it was rated up to 2oz, considering the soft tip. I was not able to find a price checker so I just put it back and walked out empty handed.

[Tatulatard]

25 minutes ago, georgeyew said:

 

I saw the bright orange Xfinity MH rods at Walmart tonight. I personally thought that the tip is a bit soft to be used for a frogs. But depending on your technique, it may work for you. I was very surprised to see that it was rated up to 2oz, considering the soft tip. I was not able to find a price checker so I just put it back and walked out empty handed.

The white ones with the green handle.  They seem like a stiffer tip MH to me.