Which rod for frogs vs which rod for flippin'?

[curls00]

Hey everyone, first time poster here but a semi-long time lurker.

I have two newer rods that I am trying to decide how to fully utilize.

- 7'3" Heavy XF Abu Garcia Vendetta.

- 7'3" Heavy Kistler Carbon Steel "Frog'n'slop".

Both are obviously the same length and seem to be about the same power, but I've done a bit of totally unscientific testing and the Abu seems to have a faster action than the Kistler, which I'd put at a Fast (not extra-fast) compared to the Abu.

I cannot go longer than 7'3" so I have to make one of these my flippin' stick, and one will be the frog rod. Which would be better suited to what tactic?

The reels will be a Pfleuger President 6.3:1 w/ 65# braid on one (likely the Kistler), and the other reel is still to be purchased but will likely be a Quantum Accurist PT (2010) 7.0:1 burner w/ 65# braid as well.

I am thinking that the 7.0:1 reel would be better suited to the flippin/pitchin' than the 6.3:1 as it would allow me to get the bait back for another pitch a bit faster. Also, the President with a slightly lower gear ratio would make a bit more sense in the thick pads and vegetation that I'd be throwing a frog, as it's a bit more of a winch than a high-speed reel.

Am I correct in this line of thinking?

For what its worth, I will probably be doing equal amount of both flipping/pitching, and frogging. I also have a 3rd baitcasting rig (7' MH-XF Shimano Compre w/ a Curado 201DHSV and 25# braid) that I use for t-rigs and worming.

Any opinions appreciated!

Thanks,

Eric

[backpain...]

I used to have a Kistler Carbon Steel 7'3" Heavy Frog and slop I used as a flipping stick up until I got a Helium for my birthday. So I know it does a good job pitching and flipping, and it had good sensitivity as well.

I would take the one with the most sensitivity and feel to use for flipping and pitching. The frog rod doesn't need quite the finesse as a flipping stick does for feeling the light bites.

I have never used a vandetta, so I can't say as to which would be that one.

[curls00]

I would take the one with the most sensitivity and feel to use for flipping and pitching. The frog rod doesn't need quite the finesse as a flipping stick does for feeling the light bites.

Good point RE the sensitivity (non-)requirement for a frog rod.  The slightly faster tip on the Vendetta though -- would this be a benefit for flippin' vs froggin' or vice-versa?

I guess once I can test each of them out with the appropriate lure, I'll also be able to determine if one flips or pitches with more accuracy than the other. 

Any comment as to which reel (6.3:1 President vs 7.0:1 AccuristPT) would be better on a frog rod vs a flipping rod?

[brushhoggin]

i would say youre on the right line of thinking, except i prefer a high speed reel on my frog rod cause i fish heavy pads, and when i get bit that bass dives and tries to hang me up in the stems so you wanna get that sucker out as quickly as possible. you also need somewhat of a lenient tip to increase dexterity between you and the frog, so you can work it gently and realistically. i fish jigs slow so the lower gear ratio would be better for that IMO. jig fishin (only caught a couple on jigs) you gotta set the hook in the same instant you realize you may have a bite. you wanna pull more line on that hook set which is what a more rigid rod tip can give you. good luck! i cant wait to sit in a lush *** pad field for 8 hours a day this year

[backpain...]

I agree with the faster reel on the frog setup. It is always good to be able to take in line quck on a topwater bait. They are making some new baits for fishing the slop that a fast ratio will help as well. I forget the name of the bait, but strike king is putting it out is is almost like a texas rigged soft plastic zara spook.

If it were me, I would try them both out in each application and see which one shows itself better suited to the technique. Unless of course there is an obvious difference in the sensitivity area.

As far as strength, sensitivity, and backbone I can attest that the kistler has plenty of each to be a great flipping stick. My first fish on mine was a 30" Musky that grabbed my jig in the timber. I thought it was the biggest bass of my life til we got it near the boat and it went ballistic splashing water everywhere. That rod took it with ease.

[MN Bass Man]

They are making some new baits for fishing the slop that a fast ratio will help as well. I forget the name of the bait, but strike king is putting it out is is almost like a texas rigged soft plastic zara spook.

I think you might be thinking of Yum's Money Hound....

http://www.lurenet.com/productdetail.aspx?id=ymh3934

[Big Bait Fishing]

as for your reels , a 6.3:1 reel is pretty fast so i think you can use either one for both purposes . as for a frog rod , i like a heavy powered , fast tip rod . i want my rod to have plenty of backbone but be able to flex just enough at the top 1/3 of the rod to be able to fight the fish and more importantly be able to set the hook with out too much flex thru out the rod . for flipping ,i want a really stiff rod with an extra fast tip , i am not worried about fighting the fish cause i'm fishing close in and with the stout line i'm using , i'll horse em' in quick . the extra fast tip will let me feel the bite but want that stiff blank to set the hook and pratically hoist the fish to me . so i guess you just want to see what rod can do that for you and then decide .

[David P]

You're definitely going to want the high speed 7.0 reel for frogs. I like my high speed reels for flipping and frogging, but it's much more important to have while frogging.

  When you fish a frog, you have a decent amount of slack line, and many times its on a long cast. Fish many times will blow up, and go under water toward you causing even more slack line. You want something to be able to pick up the line quick, and set.

  Flipping, your bait is generally much closer to you and it's not as much of an issue.

As I said, I like high speed for both, but I notice a much bigger difference with it for frogs.

As for the rod, sounds like you'd be fine either way. I'd probably use the Kistler for frogs, and the Abu for flipping.

[curls00]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Sounds like the setup for frogs vs flipping is a toss up between the two I listed (aside from the slightly faster 7.0:1 curado vs 6.3:1 President).  As pgersumky said, both are fast reels so maybe its not quite as big an issue as I thought. I'll test it out before my first tournament this season and see how it goes. Thanks for the food for thought!

[Buzbait88]

I'd use the kistler for frogging.  If it has a softer tip it will help you cast farther, by being able to load the rod up and it will help on the hook set by giving you an extra second incase you set the hook prematurely.