need frog/flip rod help

[agggh]

Hey everyone, I need myself a new heavy cover rod. I'm currently using a heavy action carrot stick, but I have problems getting fish out of cover.

I do a lot of frogging this time of year, and I don't like a long rod for that technique. I also do a lot of pitching and flipping to laydowns and would like to merge these techniques

So I'm looking for about a 7 ft rod that could handle frogs, but also pitching 3/8 weights and creature baits.


My budget is a little tight, but I'm looking at the 200 dollar range. If i could save some money on a cheaper rod, then that would be great. I dont really care what brand, but im not crazy about loomis.

I've been looking at falcon caras, dobyns savvys and champs, and powells. But like I said, i don't really care what brand.


I'll pair it with a revo premier and 50 lb braid

[John Puckett]

I use a Powell 735C for all my froggin needs. It also makes a great flipping a pitching stick IMHO. I also use it for swim jigs and paddle tail swimbaits. I have a Citica 201E on mine and I'm also running 50# braid so I know the rod does great with that line as well.

[civicrr]

Dobyns Champion 735 is my frog rod of choice. Great tip for walking the bait with plenty of power to get them to the boat. On this recent thread http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic. ... hilit=frog there were a lot of fisherman that feel the same way.

The same tip that makes it easy to cast & walk the frogs makes it easy to pitch jigs & t-rigs with too. 3/8oz is right in its 'sweet spot' lure range. IMO, it is at its best anywhere from 5/16oz & up to ???? I haven't used it for more than 3/4oz plus plastic. Having fished that, I feel confident 1oz would be in the 'sweet spot' too. Probably more but I'd want to fish it before I said.

added in edit: fixed link

[froteur]

a phenix recon is a great rod. or you can wait for the phenix m1 to come out.

[VEEDUBGYRL]

i can also recommend a dobyns 735/736. however, it appears you fish the thick stuff. so i say go with the 736

GL

[robchik04]

Phenix has a new rod series, M1, coming out in the fall. In the line-up is a 7'2" Heavy Action rod. That rod will undoubtedly be my frogging rod and will most certainly handle duties of pitching/flipping. I'm hoping this is the phenix rod to replace the one Powell rod that regret getting rid of, the Endurance 725

The Phenix Recons are also being re-done and will be available this fall. The 715 is a solid frog and light pitchin rod as well.

Again, another is the Powell Endurance 725. It was by far my favorite Powell Rod

[dqphysics]

I agree with many that the Dobyns 735c is an awesome frog/pitching rod. The best I have felt in fact, but you may want to go heavier and go with the 736c which has a reputation of being a beast. I actually called over to Gary about going with the 735c or 736c and he really helped me out. I ultimately went with the 735 because I wanted to be able to go finesse flipping (if the term is not coined, you heard it here first) since bass in Southern NY can be picky. I suggest calling Gary or sending him a pm through this board. Nicest guy, you will never want to buy from anyone else after talking to him. (for the record Vince is a great guy at Phenix, but I liked the Champions more then the Recons but both are great)

[agggh]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I already own a 715 recon and love it, but I wouldn't really use it for frogs. I would like a m1, but I need the rod now and I dont know when those will be released.

I own some dobyn champs as well and like them. But, I'd like to try a new brand.

Im honestly kind of leaning towards a falcon cara. They look nice, and will hopefully be fairly light. Does anyone have any experience with falcon?

[bronzefly]

I'd suggest that you consider the new Shimano Crucial CRC75HA. It's a fine mix of what you're looking for and has the best warranty in the business...

[goldrod]

Try a used zombie rod.....

[sktr22]

The Cara is nice. Light enough and well built. It might be a little light in the power dept for frog fishing. When it comes to Falcon you have to know that they are pretty much on notch below their rating...a 4 power feels much like a 3 ..and so on.


Depending on the amount you wish to spend. I would give the Zilion 7'4" swimbait rod a look and also for much less money, one of the only good models that came from the Daiwa Ballistic line is thier Frog rod.