Northwest Fishing Reports

im getting more into trying out new lures like swimbaits and frogs and i was just wondering what kind of rod or rod and reels you guys prefer for these set ups? i just got a spro frog, 30lb braided line and i have a 7 inch trout swimbait. what rod and reel do u suggest?

St. Croix Mojo Bass "Slop-n-Frog" is a great rod, only $100 bucks, I had 1 and sold it, I use a 7 Ft med/heavy Cabelas xml series, with a Shimano Citica I'm from California so I use 65# power pro braid. And swimbait rods vary, I usually throw the 6+ in swimbaits and I have a 7'6 BPS Nitro Big Bass rod for 6-8 inch baits, and a 7'11 for 8+inch baits. I pair those up with the older green Curados. Usually throw 20lb Flouro on smaller baits and 25lb Mono with 8+inch baits.

is there a rod that u suggest that would be good for both at the same time instead of having to buy 3 rods set ups?

i forgot to mention im more of a spinning reel guy, i suck with baitcasters

I'd go with a 7'6 med/heavy not too long for a frog, not too short for a swimbait.




Here's the model for a good price that I'd suggest...
Okuma EVX Cast Rod 7'6" Hvy Telescopic






Heres the site.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_EV ... EVXCR.html

It's the fourth rod down

fishin masta wrote:i forgot to mention im more of a spinning reel guy, i suck with baitcasters

Ok I'll edit my last post with a more suitable rod

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Team_Dai ... -DTSR.html


You can give that 1 a try...

As far as frog fishing is concerned, a baitcasting setup is imperative for getting the hookset necessary and having the leverage to pull quality fish from dense cover/vegetation. You may be able to find a heavy action spinning combo in a saltwater line up, but that would be your only option. 30 lb. braid is too light except for open water or sparse cover applications. Use a minimum of 50 lb. braid for frog fishing. You must learn to be proficient with a baitcaster to become the best bass fisherman you can be. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Practice, practice, practice.

Which 7" swimbait did you purchase?

I used to rely heavily on spinning reels. Though I don't possess nearly the wisdom Tag does, may I add a small additional element as to why I would add baitcasting to your arsenal? When you start throwing bigger baits, especially into the 4-8oz range, casting is so much easier. Loading a big swimbait rod is far easier and better with your thumb on the spool versus your index finger clinging on for dear life. This is magnified even more in swimbaits, because they are a marathon event that you need to dedicate time to.

When I started fishing the slop with frogs, I use to have the same mentality of using spinning reels. At that time braid came out and I thought spinning reels with braid would do the trick with a heftier action rod. I still lost fish. As Tag points out, it's leverage you need to pull out big fish in the slop. I eventually switched over to a bait caster and experienced a new world. As Eoso also points out casting and reeling larger lures became a lot easier.

I"m not the first person to say it and I won't be the last person to say it, but you just need to practice with the rig, it'll become natural in time.

ya well that is true i guess i did try my buddies baitcaster with my swim bait and it was easier to control the bait and casting. Tag i actually dont have the swimbait i was talking about anymore but the other one i plan on using is a 6 inch (i think) river2sea trout

I like the 6 foot 6 GL3 ....never had a problem ...have and ambassador reel with 30 lb... works great.

I realize this is echoing a fair amount of what's been stated earlier, but it's important. When I first started throwing Frogs, I didn't pay enough attention to what I was using, I thought a MH rod and some 20lb mono could do the trick, don't make that mistake. I lost more big fish in those first few months than I care to remember. After that I was determined to have the right gear, and my hookup to land ratio has gone through the roof. I don't throw anything less than 65lb powerpro braid, and I use a Fenwick Elite Tech Froggin' Stick. It's 7'2" Extra Heavy with an Extra Fast Tip. I think you can pry a hubcap off with it, which is exactly what I want because I throw that thing in the nastiest thickest stuff I can find. The only thing that rod doesn't do well is skipping under overhanging tree branches or docks etc., because the tip just isn't soft enough for that application, and I have other rods that can handle that part just fine.

Make the investment in the right gear up front and you won't be sorry! I would definitely recommend a rod that is specifically designed for Frog fishing, brand loyalty isn't that important IMHO. Oh and as the others have said a baitcaster is a must!

Good luck!
Dave