Rod/Reel advice for frog lures.

[TenthousandLakes]

Just purchased some new frogs and I really want to try out this iobee frog out on the water and was wondering what reel/rod combo should I be looking for.

[Craigums]

Its all personal preferance but I would go with a 7'2''-7'6'' Heavy Power/Fast Action.

[NickMcD63]

Its all personal preferance but I would go with a 7'2''-7'6'' Heavy Power/Fast Action.

^This. Add some 50-60lb Power Pro and you're ready to party.

[MN BassFisher]

I have been fishing soft plastic frogs for the first time for the last week or so and have really liked them. I've been fishing the slop and the 50lb PP has been taking a beating. Next spool I will be uping to 65#

[Cecil]

No harm in going to a 65# test. Less chance for a backlash and they aren't looking at your line in this situation...

[MN BassFisher]

No harm in going to a 65# test. Less chance for a backlash and they aren't looking at your line in this situation...

Exactly, I just always thought 50# was plenty, but targetting the slop more than I normally do in the last week, I will be spooling heavier for added security. And to help with winching them up and out.

[TenthousandLakes]

Okay thanks guys.

[Raider4ever]

I use 50lb Suffix 832, Heavy/Fast rod, and a 7.1:1 reel to get line back in quicker. Started with 65lb but it felt to "ropy" to me so I went down to 50lb. Never had a problem, except my strike to hookup ratio is something hideous. Something like 25%. I set WWWAAAYYY too quick. I put this on a Wisconsin forum, thought others would enjoy:

I have come to the conclusion that NHL goalies would probably be the worst frog fisherman ever. Surfers would probably be the best.

Surfer: "Dude, was that a fish?"

Tourney Partner: "Yes, set the hook. Set the hook!!"

Surfer: "Dude, you sure about that?"

Tourney Partner: "YES, SET THE HOOK!!"

Surfer: "Allright man, if you're sure."

Tourney Partner: "SET... THE... FREAKING... HOOK!!!"

Surfer: "Whoa Dude, six pounds of fishage. Righteous!"

Tourney Partner: ~BANG~

[TenthousandLakes]

There are many braid lines out there, but which brand works the best? I've only tried Suffix832 superline.

[Craigums]

Lots of PowerPro fans on this HSOforum. I started using it as a recommendation from others and have never had the need to switch to anything else

[Superduty]

832 actually is designed to sink. I would use a braid that floats for frog fishing. In theory, it should hang up in the pads less. Pretty much any braid other than 832 or the spiderwire flouro/braid should float.

[Raider4ever]

I have never had my 832 sink when I fish frogs. It floats just fine.

[TenthousandLakes]

Alright, i'll have to give it a try then.

[delmuts]

Just remember!!( and good luck with this!!!! ) Try not to set the hook til you feel the weight of the fish. It's VERY easy to get excited and pull the lure away from the fish.

[Raider4ever]

Just remember!!( and good luck with this!!!! ) Try not to set the hook til you feel the weight of the fish. It's VERY easy to get excited and pull the lure away from the fish.

No kidding. Hardest part of froggin'. Tell myself time after time (to quote Cyndi Lauper) to wait for it...wait for it...NOW!! Never helps. I'm ducking frog at about "Wa..."

[Nick Kuhn]

I wonder about you bass guys sometimes... That 22" fish in my avatar? Fishing a frog in heavy slop, on a 7'2" Medium (not medium heavy, just medium) Fast Cumara with a Quantum Smoke 101 HPT and 30lb Suffix 832. I can't possibly imagine a situation other than Hydrilla (which doesn't exist in Minnesota) where you need or even would want more power/strength than that. Honestly I worry more about my 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG than I do the rest of the set-up in that situation...

[Friar_Tuck]

heavy rod means a couple things, more backbone settin those frog hooks home, especially from a distance in heavy cover. very critical, is more back bone to get that fish up & out of pads/heavy cover. more back bone to pull that fish out when wrapped up in multiple stems or roots. pad stems have around a 16# breaking strength, have a 4 pound fish all wrapped up in a pile of pads and get him out with a medium, nahhh.

i've had big girls wrap me up many many times that even with my heavy i've come to a complete hault. other times i've been wrapped up & because i do have that heavy with backbone i can muscle/rip through/out of the pads and land that fish. guarantee when i'm froggin & those times i'd snap that medium.

you may be able to do it, but you'll lose more fish fishing in heavy cover with that medium than i will with my heavy. you'll break that medium horsing fish out well before i break my heavy.

[GooBack]

I fish frogs on GL3 843(MH 7ft.), with 50lb braid.

I prefer the softer rod, my hookup ratio is at least 90%. I rarely miss fish. With a heavy broomstick, I think you are more likely to have fish lose the frog on the strike.

Just remember, the longer the rod, the less leverage you have on a fish. If you pull the fish with the rod, it may help a little, but when I get bit and set the hook...I just reel as hard and fast as possible. Wouldn't matter if my rod was 6ft or 8ft. Keep your drag as tight as possible, I like something 20lbs or more. No bass that swims in this state will break 50lb braid, or even 30lb braid, assuming you tie a good knot.

Also, some frogs hook fish better than others...and keep your hooks as sharp as possible.

[TenthousandLakes]

Speaking of sharp hooks, how would one go about sharpening their hooks and with what tool exactly?

[GooBack]

A sharpening stone.

Any simple stone will do, you can get them at Fleet Farm, or just about anywhere. Nothing fancy, just something to knock the tip down. IMO, the best frogs have the crappiest hooks.

[delmuts]

I Prefer a file,but it's not hard. I did change out two of my frogs to gam. hooks, but the rest i just keep sharp.

[Aaron Carrell]

832 actually is designed to sink. I would use a braid that floats for frog fishing. In theory, it should hang up in the pads less. Pretty much any braid other than 832 or the spiderwire flouro/braid should float.

[CCGinMN]

I LOVE the 65lb. 832 Suffix. When I'm reeling in, I keep my rod tip up. My pumping cadence causes the line to sway in the air left, right, left, right, etc. I don't have a problem with it sinking. I switched from 80 lb. power pro to 65 lb. suffix and am extremely glad that i did. The suffix casts easier, farther, and doesn't fray appart half way through the season. In fact, I didn't respool with new line this year and my suffix is still in really good shape. Power pro frays.

If you want a cool looking set-up for frogs, buy a Skeet Reece Toad rod with a Shimano Curado spooled with neon green Suffix. A yellow rod with a green reel and flourescent green line. You might as well look cool when you're tossin' the frog.

[corncob]

I use a Calcutta 200 DE,50 lb sufix braid on a Cabelas new Platinum ZX, 7-2 heavy.....Plenty of power to horse the hogs out of heavy cover,and nice handling setup.

[RumRiverRat]

Revo STX HS on a 7'6" Heavy Fast Vendetta with 65lb Power Pro is what I use.