Tell about frog rods and line please!!!!

[DaveT63]

I've seen references on here to frog rods, and the HEAVY lines most use on them.  But I don't know anything about the topic, other than, presumably, it's used to fish frog lures with.  Can someone please tell me what a frog rod is, how it's different from any other rod (if it is), how it's used, and why you would need 50-60 lb braid line for it?

Thanks,

Dave

[GatorBait]

First off I LOVE FROG FISHING!!!  As far as a frog rod, personally i use a heavy action rod.  This is because most of the time i am running a frog through the heaviest cover possible on the body of water.  Think about it, were do frogs live?  They live in Lilly pads, marshes, cane grass etc...  That is the reason for the heavy line too.  When that fish hits it you want to have a rod with enough backbone and a line that wont break to get that fish to the boat and weigh it in!!  Like i said earlier i use a heavy action rod that is about 7' to 7'6" to not only make long casts but also be able to get my tip high in the air to deflect my lure form snags.  As far as line i use 30-60 lb suffix braid. 

[RyneB]

I use a St Croix Mojo Bass 7 foot 6 inch flipping stick (a heavy action rod is a must) with a Revo S and 50 lb Power Pro. I have caught several 8 lb largemouth on this set up, while also dragging in 10 + lbs of vegetation. If you're fishing areas with lots of vegetation I suggest you use braided line. The strength is good, but for me the major advantage is its ability to float atop the vegetation. Whereas mono will sink and get more tangled up in the vegetation.

[David P]

Frog Rods : They are normal bass rods, but there are "ideal" lengths and powers that will help with hooking and landing more fish. Longer rods help, they move more line on the hook set and enable you to cast further. I get a much more solid hook set with a 7'3 - 7'6 rod then a 6'6 - 7ft rod. Power wise, I use an XTRA Heavy rod, some guys like just Heavy. Depending on your own body of water, and how much cover you're throwing your frog on or next to, that's up for you to decide.

Line: Braid is a must, no stretch in the line helps dramatically with hooking up and landing those fish. It also helps cut through the weeds and it's strong as all hell. 30lb-50lb braid is a little light in my opinion. 30lb braid digs into itself while fighting a big fish, or pulling out of a snag. I've broken 50lb on not a "large" fish before, so I just stay with 65lb. You're fishing top water, the line diameter and visibility isn't as "crucial" as other techniques, so why not bump your chances up of landing a giant fish.

I've caught a TON of 5-6lb bass on frogs, and a few in the 7 and 8lb range. I personally use a Dobyns 736 rod for frogs, and just recently bumped up to 70lb Daiwa Samurai braid. I was using 65lb Power Pro with no issues. Daiwa is just smoother.

Hope this helps a bit. Frog fishing is a blast, and it's almost that time of year.  Good luck.

[fishinflip415]

Do a search...! It seems like this topic has came up many times. You can find lots of old topics that cover rods and line sizes and what people prefer.

[Buzbait88]

I fish frogs all day long in some of the nastiest cover I can find so having a super light and super tough rod is a must!  My frog rod this year will be a 7'11" citrus stick, heavy fast and probably 50-65lb test braid.  I need something light to avoid fatigue throughout the long day, but at the same time I need something thats very strong to pull a big bass out of some thick cover.

[shallow thinker]

Hmmm, I fish a medium-heavy 7' All Star rod with 30-50lb Suffix braid.  I fish lots of canal edges and heavy cover over shallow flats.  Fishing fast, making lots of long casts wears me out with a heavier stick.  My catch ratio is pretty good even though I'm tackled up on the lighter side.  It comes down to personal preference so try out different set ups to see what feels right to you.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I must be in the minority.  I use a cheapo Daiwa rod I picked up broken at wally world.  It's roughly 7'3" now.  It "says" medium power on it, but I really don't believe that.  Has a long handle on it that lets me monkey down on it for longer casts.  Probably has a moderate tip on it, but has enough backbone to allow for solid hooksets. I use 10 lb mono on it and have no issues at all.  All that being said, most of the areas I fish in don't have a ton of vegetation on the top.  I also use the same rod for lipless cranks and soft plastic swim baits.  I don't have the need for a single purpose frog rod and I do just fine with what I've got.

I really believe sometimes people go overboard in bass fishing with line sizes and whatnot.  I see people talking about using 50 pound braid or higher...I don't use stuff that large on most of my offshore trolling reels and I've boated fish that are several hundred pounds on lighter gear.  Maybe thats just the saltwater angler in me speaking not being used to people using such massive line for bass.  I can understand the need to pull out a whole bunch of weeds and junk, but man ultra heavy braid seems excessive to me at times.

[brushhoggin]

Frog Rods : They are normal bass rods, but there are "ideal" lengths and powers that will help with hooking and landing more fish. Longer rods help, they move more line on the hook set and enable you to cast further. I get a much more solid hook set with a 7'3 - 7'6 rod then a 6'6 - 7ft rod. Power wise, I use an XTRA Heavy rod, some guys like just Heavy. Depending on your own body of water, and how much cover you're throwing your frog on or next to, that's up for you to decide.

Line: Braid is a must, no stretch in the line helps dramatically with hooking up and landing those fish. It also helps cut through the weeds and it's strong as all hell. 30lb-50lb braid is a little light in my opinion. 30lb braid digs into itself while fighting a big fish, or pulling out of a snag. I've broken 50lb on not a "large" fish before, so I just stay with 65lb. You're fishing top water, the line diameter and visibility isn't as "crucial" as other techniques, so why not bump your chances up of landing a giant fish.

I've caught a TON of 5-6lb bass on frogs, and a few in the 7 and 8lb range. I personally use a Dobyns 736 rod for frogs, and just recently bumped up to 70lb Daiwa Samurai braid. I was using 65lb Power Pro with no issues. Daiwa is just smoother.

Hope this helps a bit. Frog fishing is a blast, and it's almost that time of year. Good luck.

Broke, can you get a nice long distance cast with 70 lb samurai?what would you say the equivalent in diameter is in mono or flouro?

[Fat-G]

Frog Rods : They are normal bass rods, but there are "ideal" lengths and powers that will help with hooking and landing more fish. Longer rods help, they move more line on the hook set and enable you to cast further. I get a much more solid hook set with a 7'3 - 7'6 rod then a 6'6 - 7ft rod. Power wise, I use an XTRA Heavy rod, some guys like just Heavy. Depending on your own body of water, and how much cover you're throwing your frog on or next to, that's up for you to decide.

Line: Braid is a must, no stretch in the line helps dramatically with hooking up and landing those fish. It also helps cut through the weeds and it's strong as all hell. 30lb-50lb braid is a little light in my opinion. 30lb braid digs into itself while fighting a big fish, or pulling out of a snag. I've broken 50lb on not a "large" fish before, so I just stay with 65lb. You're fishing top water, the line diameter and visibility isn't as "crucial" as other techniques, so why not bump your chances up of landing a giant fish.

I've caught a TON of 5-6lb bass on frogs, and a few in the 7 and 8lb range. I personally use a Dobyns 736 rod for frogs, and just recently bumped up to 70lb Daiwa Samurai braid. I was using 65lb Power Pro with no issues. Daiwa is just smoother.

Hope this helps a bit. Frog fishing is a blast, and it's almost that time of year. Good luck.

Broke, can you get a nice long distance cast with 70 lb samurai?what would you say the equivalent in diameter is in mono or flouro?

14 lb.

[David P]

Frog Rods : They are normal bass rods, but there are "ideal" lengths and powers that will help with hooking and landing more fish. Longer rods help, they move more line on the hook set and enable you to cast further. I get a much more solid hook set with a 7'3 - 7'6 rod then a 6'6 - 7ft rod. Power wise, I use an XTRA Heavy rod, some guys like just Heavy. Depending on your own body of water, and how much cover you're throwing your frog on or next to, that's up for you to decide.

Line: Braid is a must, no stretch in the line helps dramatically with hooking up and landing those fish. It also helps cut through the weeds and it's strong as all hell. 30lb-50lb braid is a little light in my opinion. 30lb braid digs into itself while fighting a big fish, or pulling out of a snag. I've broken 50lb on not a "large" fish before, so I just stay with 65lb. You're fishing top water, the line diameter and visibility isn't as "crucial" as other techniques, so why not bump your chances up of landing a giant fish.

I've caught a TON of 5-6lb bass on frogs, and a few in the 7 and 8lb range. I personally use a Dobyns 736 rod for frogs, and just recently bumped up to 70lb Daiwa Samurai braid. I was using 65lb Power Pro with no issues. Daiwa is just smoother.

Hope this helps a bit. Frog fishing is a blast, and it's almost that time of year. Good luck.

Broke, can you get a nice long distance cast with 70 lb samurai?what would you say the equivalent in diameter is in mono or flouro?

It casts better then any of the other braids I have tried. The 70 definitely doesn't enable me to launch my bait as far as 55 does,  but it's still very very good.

[David P]

I must be in the minority. I use a cheapo Daiwa rod I picked up broken at wally world. It's roughly 7'3" now. It "says" medium power on it, but I really don't believe that. Has a long handle on it that lets me monkey down on it for longer casts. Probably has a moderate tip on it, but has enough backbone to allow for solid hooksets. I use 10 lb mono on it and have no issues at all. All that being said, most of the areas I fish in don't have a ton of vegetation on the top. I also use the same rod for lipless cranks and soft plastic swim baits. I don't have the need for a single purpose frog rod and I do just fine with what I've got.

I really believe sometimes people go overboard in bass fishing with line sizes and whatnot. I see people talking about using 50 pound braid or higher...I don't use stuff that large on most of my offshore trolling reels and I've boated fish that are several hundred pounds on lighter gear. Maybe thats just the saltwater angler in me speaking not being used to people using such massive line for bass. I can understand the need to pull out a whole bunch of weeds and junk, but man ultra heavy braid seems excessive to me at times.

Depending on where you fish it dictates what type of line you need to use. I fish areas that it's a must in some situations to throw 65 and 80lb braid. Not to mention I've broken 50lb more then once.

Guys always talk about "The one that got away", most guys are at fault for enabling those fish to get away. Sure some lakes are very clear, fish are line shy, but if you're throwing a frog or punching heavy mats where line diameter doesn't play much of a role, why not throw 65 or 80lb to just ensure you land that fish of a life time. I always hear guys talk about the fish that got away, and most of the time it could easily be avoided.

I understand some people like to "fight their fish" and enjoy the intense battle, but when it's tournament time, it's not so fun to play around, or watch an 8 - 10lb bass jump out of the water and spit your frog.

I'm not saying this to argue with anyone, just my feelings on the matter. To each his own.

[Micropterus salmoides]

Brokeju,

Do you use the 736C for open water frog fishing? Is it easy to walk a frog with? I purchased a 736C last year but haven't used it for frogs yet. I also purchased a 735C (tags still on) thinking that I would use it for open water frogging and the 736C for mats, but now I wonder if the 736C can be used for both situations.

How do you like 70lb Daiwa Samurai as far as abrasion resistance? I was considering trying it but I've read that Suffix and Power Pro have greater abrasion resistance. Currently I use 65lb Power Pro.

[David P]

Brokeju,

Do you use the 736C for open water frog fishing? Is it easy to walk a frog with? I purchased a 736C last year but haven't used it for frogs yet. I also purchased a 735C (tags still on) thinking that I would use it for open water frogging and the 736C for mats, but now I wonder if the 736C can be used for both situations.

How do you like 70lb Daiwa Samurai as far as abrasion resistance? I was considering trying it but I've read that Suffix and Power Pro have greater abrasion resistance. Currently I use 65lb Power Pro.

  I use the 736 for both, I have absolutely no problem walking a frog with it, although casting accuracy takes just a little bit of time to get used to. Because the tip doesn't load up as much, it's not as easy to just pick up and cast accurately. But after a little bit of time you'll do just fine. 

The 70lb braid so far has been great, I've only been using it for a short time now. But I have been using the 80lb for over a year now, and haven't had a single problem yet. I use it for punching, and have a friend who broke of 3 times with 65lb Power Pro when punching.