Cheap frog setup

[CRANKSTER]

Hey fellas, I'm wanting to give throwing frogs a try.  I have purchased some frogs to try, (Stanley ribbit frogs, and zoom horny toads).  Now I need the rod, reel, and line.  I'm not looking to spend alot on this due to it just being a try-out.  Maybe $100 in the rod/reel.  Is braid really necessary to throw these type frogs, or can I use my 12 yo-zuri hybrid?  If it is possible to build a frog setup for $100 excluding line, what would you reccommend?  I would like to keep the rod 7' and under due to it being used bank fishing.  All help is greatly appreciated.

[SimonDM17]

The rod you want is going to be heavy or medium-heavy.  Braid is necessary, especially if you ever want to fish any hollow-body frogs (like the Spro) with it, which I'd highly reccomend. 

I think the best budget combo would be an Abu Vengeance 6'6" H, or any heavy action rod you can get for cheap, since sensitivity doesn't really matter with topwater, and your favored reel.  Maybe a BPS Extreme? 

also, you need minimum 30lb braid.

[smallwatermayhem]

7.1 or 7.3 ratio reel with a 7' MH rod and 17lb mono. Daiwa Strikeforce, Berkley Lightning Rod, 17lb Trilene XT would be fine.

[Slip Gun]

Spend the money on the braid - 50-65 lb braid is really what you want to use. Remember a spro frog is $9. Spend the extra little bit on the braid and keep that frog forever. You only need to lose one to make the investment worthwhile and the lack of stretch REALLY helps with your hook sets.

[b.Lee]

Don't know how cheap is cheap to you.

But I would get a Abu Garcia Revo SX High Speed

169.99

or a

Shimano Curado 200E7 - I think 179.99 new

And a Wright and McGill Skeet Reese Frog and Senko Rod, 89.99

If you can find the reels used or on sale, should spend around 200 for a good frogging rig

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I use a MH cheapo Daiwa rod that I got for like 8 bucks because it had a broken tip.  BPS Pro Qualifier and 40lb braid.  I've never had an issue pulling a fish out of the junk with it.  It's cheap enough that I can beat the snot out of it and not really care, and I fish frogs a lot down here.  My gear takes a beating.

[s13john]

look for the 7'6 abu vengence rod and a used citica or revo s in the flee market, and dicks sporting goods has power pro (50lb or 65) for $10 alot of times that would cover you pretty well.

[David P]

Prob not gonna manage for $100 total. $100 for Rod and $100 for a reel then you're in much better shape.

[Simp]

Prob not gonna manage for $100 total. $100 for Rod and $100 for a reel then you're in much better shape.

I agree in the long run this is the best option but I also understand I caught a TON of huge fish on frogs on a cheap Field and Stream set up for a summer. So I'm going to sugest you pick up a 7ft or longer MH to H Field and Stream Tech spech rod for 60$ and do a search for some dicks coupons (that's where these rods are sold). You might be able to find a 20% off Field and stream purchase coupon. I know I got one in the mail the other day. Then I strongle STONGLY suggest you look in the Flea market for Quality used real perferably in the 7.1 ratio. People here are always buying new stuff and selling there QUALITY old stuff. Keep an eye out for Citica's, Curado's, and Revo's and you would be in great shape. One last thing BUY SOME BRAID! In the long run it will save you a ton of cash and it help so much with the hookset on a frog.

[Chris at Tech]

Sensitivity is not paramount here. 

Get a BPS baitcasting combo in your price range, ratio 6 and up, 6'6" or 7', MH or H with 50lb + braid

[steezy]

Sensitivity is not paramount here.

Get a BPS baitcasting combo in your price range, ratio 6 and up, 6'6" or 7', MH or H with 50lb + braid

I agree, something like this $80 6'6" MH BPS combo will get you started:

Bass Pro Shops® Tourney Special® Baitcast Rod and Reel Combo

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104163_100003001_100000000_100003000_100-3-1

Even with some braid line you will still be within your budget.

-steezy

[tyrius.]

The only thing that is strictly necessary in frog fishing, is a rod, a reel, line, and a frog.

We all seem to take technique specific gear way too seriously.  Growing up I fished hollow frogs over moss with a 6' M Ugly Stick spinning rod with 6-8lb mono.  I caught lots of fish with it too.  Was it the ideal setup?  Nope, and I lost fish and/or missed fish that I wouldn't have if I had gear that was more suited to the task, but I didn't know any better and I didn't have the money to pay for more rods and reels.

If you want to just try it then tie the frogs onto the heaviest power, fastest action rod you have and try it out.  Don't worry about what line is on the setup.  Just fish it. 

If you like it then you can maybe buy something specific for it later.

[CRANKSTER]

Thanks for all the help and replies fellas.  One other question, and it may have been covered before but couldn't find much on it, but what type of guides will hold up best to braid?  or is there any type of guides I should avoid when using braid?

[b.Lee]

IMO if you are starting to concern yourself with guides then you are already out of your price range.

I don't think you will find cheap rods with recoil guides, which to most debate these days, people argue that braid will cut grooves into them, but I have no problems. And these are not cheap rods. So if you are set on cheap, don't concern yourself with the guides. 

[scbassin]

I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid 12 to 20 lb test line depending on how heavy the grass or lilies are. I use a 15 to 25 or 30 lb line weight rod with a 6.1:1 or a 7.1:1 reel. Those combo's work just fine

[CRANKSTER]

Update:  Ended up doing away with the trillionaire and vengeance rod.  Academy had a Revo S and Allstar platinum combo on sale for $139 so I ended up getting a Revo S 6:4:1 and a 7' MH/F allstar platinum rod.  Also got some 50lb power pro braid.  Any tips on spooling this stuff up? lol

[Simp]

I would suggest some mono backing to prevent slippage. Chances are if your fishing around big fish with thick grass it's going to happen but mono backing IMHO helps.

[LAO162]

Update: Ended up doing away with the trillionaire and vengeance rod. Academy had a Revo S and Allstar platinum combo on sale for $139 so I ended up getting a Revo S 6:4:1 and a 7' MH/F allstar platinum rod. Also got some 50lb power pro braid. Any tips on spooling this stuff up? lol

Frogs, T-Rigs, C-Rigs, Jigs, smaller swimbaits, you're good to go.  Awesome setup and great deal