Best frogging setup

[Jsher19038]

Hey everyone. I am looking for input on a frogging setup. The main area I will be using this will be a lake that no boats are allowed on so I’ll be wading. The lilies here get real thick. I’ve gotten some nice fish with my spinning reel but once the lilies and weeds get thicker come summer I lose confidence in my setup. I wanted to hear some input about a good setup that is somewhat versatile for dragging frogs and big plastics across the top but also punching through weeds. I see the tatula sv is on sale today but I am not sure that would be the best fit for what I am looking for. 

[Reel]

You can find suitable rods and reels from different companies so I won't make suggestions.  I use 50/65 pound braid for frogging and that is what I build on.  I want a reel with enough capacity for that type of line with a large handle and a fast ratio.  Some people like very heavy rods but I prefer a rod that is MH with some give in the tip.  I know that I'm giving away some power for precision.. 

I like a rod between 7' 2'' and 7' 6''.  I know I said MH but right now I'm using a Zodias 7' 2'' H fast. that has some tip action and that I like a lot. 

[Jsher19038]

Awesome thanks for the info! Do you like the tip action on your zodias for all top water or just for certain lures ?

[Maverick2017]

JDM Shimano Bantam

Phenix Feather 7’3” extra heavy

Sunline FX2 50lb

Spro Bronzeye 65

 

My exact setup. That Feather is THE PERFECT frog/heavy punching rod. Has the perfect tip action for walking.

 

 

[bulldog1935]

@Reel has done you right.  

Any rule against kayaks in your lily pads?  

 

Kayak is a little different - I like my 6' MH for fishing close and possible overhang.  

[Jsher19038]

No kayaks allowed. Whats the reel you have ? I am also open to rod and reel suggestions. I purchased two static fl reels after reading about them on this page and am happy with them. Reading about them on here is what made me join the page. Also started fishing some new plastics and lures since joining. I know there are some experienced anglers here that have gone through trial and error and reels and rods. Just looking for a starting point to do a deep dive on. My PB will come out of these pads and I want to have the right tools for the job. 

[bulldog1935]

@Jsher19038 - that's Ambassadeur 4600C, 5-mm-deep BFS-mod spool to fish PE#2 (45-lb) X-braid.  The reel is set up to fish 1/8 oz to 1 oz - tiny frog plugs to big topwaters.  I enjoy the bench time finding ex-condition bargains, then building them into custom reels. 

I think you'd do fine with the Tatula SV that's on sale now, and a longer rod is usually a shore-fishing advantage.  

[Reel]

2 hours ago, Jsher19038 said:

Awesome thanks for the info! Do you like the tip action on your zodias for all top water or just for certain lures ?

For me, a bit of tip action is a prerequisite for pinpoint casting.  And where I fish, exact lure presentation is important..  And no not only for topwater.

[little giant]

I'm a bank guy in Florida and matted vegetation and pads are the norm.

I use an older Falcon cara heavy, 7'6" with a soft tip to walk the frog and big spooks. I use 50 lb J braid 8, never a leader, San Diego jam knot, never a failure! Now I use a zillion hd 8 speed, but used to use a tatula 103 8 speed and it served me well. (Still use it for other stuff, the jdm zillion spoiled me!!) You want an 8 speed to take up slack quick, the hit usually but not always come on the pause. The frogs are Spro, Berkley swamp lord, or the big one from gambler. I bend the hooks away from the body about 1/16". Learned this from Roland Martin video. He's a great Florida frog fisher!!

I use to use 65 lb power pro and it worked well too.

You will.have to do much practice for accuracy.

[new2BC4bass]

I used 60# braid on my frog rod.  I felt it hurt distance a bit.  Whenever I visited Florida I fished 40# braid in the lily pads from a boat with a MHF rod.  No problem.

 

12# mono is a bear to break with a bare hand.  Have straightened a 3/8 oz. jig hook with 30# braid.  Wrapped the line around a stick!

 

Should be able to pull stumps with 65# braid. 

 

BTW, my rod was a 7'4" HF but it got stolen.  Most likely will stick with another HF but not sure yet which rod.

 

[r83srock]

I use a Curado DC  8 ratio on a Falcon EVO 7’3” heavy. The rod is $80 and it’s so great for frogging I can’t imagine a better rod for the technique. I use 50lb braid, usually power pro. I haven’t punched with it but I’ve fished a big jig on it and it works great. I use a 7’4” heavy St. Croix Victory for light punching and big jigs. It’s a very sensitive rod and it’s great for these techniques. It’s also a great frog rod and have used it for that, however I actually prefer the full cork handle on the falcon for frogging. I’ve used this setup from my boat, kayak, and bank fishing. Another great frog reel is the Tatula 150.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, r83srock said:

I use a Curado DC  8 ratio on a Falcon EVO 7’3” heavy. The rod is $80 and it’s so great for frogging I can’t imagine a better rod for the technique.

Thanks.  I have several rods with enough power to fish frogs.  Surely at least a couple of them should have a tip capable of walking a frog.  If not, this rod will be added to my collection.

[Boomstick]

I use the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" H/F frog rod. It is very strong and has enough power to pull a big bass out of the thickest of lily pads. Some say to go with MH, but if you have thick weeds I definitely would not do that. MH is actually pretty solid in open water, but not in thick lily pads.

 

As for a reel, pretty much any reel will do. I like a faster speed reel, at least 29 inches per turn or so, so that I can turn it just a little to pick up line when working the frog slowly, but it's not required.

[dwtaylor]

My favorite general use frog rod is a Dobyns 735c.  I have the Dobyns Savvy 735c which has been discontinued for a while, but that same rod is available in just about all their series.  Pick the price point of Dobyns you want and get that action.

 

Reels, I go with a 7.something to 1 ratio.  The fast 8.something or faster reels you lose some torque and that can wear on you a little bit with a lot of slop.  With a 7something ratio you don't lose too much line pickup or torque.  I run 50lb braid on frogs, but may actually go down to 40lb power pro after my bulk spool is gone.  I have never actually broken braid that wasn't frayed so why not downsize a little bit to get better casting ability and cut through weeds better.

[new2BC4bass]

On 11/30/2024 at 11:47 PM, Boomstick said:

I use the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" H/F frog rod. It is very strong and has enough power to pull a big bass out of the thickest of lily pads. Some say to go with MH, but if you have thick weeds I definitely would not do that. MH is actually pretty solid in open water, but not in thick lily pads.

That was my frog rod before it was stolen.

[AvoidingYardWork]

Froggin doesn't need anything fancy, you're going to be close quarters in the slop so don't overthink the reel.  Anything over $100 will get you a more durable aluminum frame and usually enough quality construction to get the job done. The Shimano SLX XT line is probably the best bang for buck. I had a cheaper Tatula CT laying around and have had great success with that reel with 50lb braid. I like to stick in the 7.2 gear ratio range, anything higher and you lose torque when they dig into the weeds.  

 

As far as the rod, there are so many good ones in the 7'3" heavy range, again it doesn't have to be fancy just pick one with enough reviews celebrating its durability.  I personally use the Dobyns Fury 735C.  Dobyns overstates their power ratings so its not quite a pool que, and is light enough to walk the dog without giving me tennis elbow.

 

Either way, good luck with your set up and tight lines winching those fat ladies out of the slop!

[KP Duty]

The 7'2"H/F Adrena is on clearance for $254 @ TW.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Poison_Adrena_Casting_Rods/descpage-SPC.html

[Jsher19038]

I went with the Dobyns champion 735c after hopping back into my deep dive tonight. It helps that tackle warehouse had them 30 percent off. 7’ 3” and I agreed that having some sensitivity in the top would be nice. Since I’ll be wading I liked that the rod has some versatility in case I decide to switch my lure. The pads gradually fill in and there is a month where they aren’t too thick. I was tempted by the 736 being that people said its great for the real thick stuff. The 735 will work and when the pads get too thick maybe I’ll upgrade to 736 at some point. Still need to do a deep dive on the recommended reels!