MichaelJ7

Red used to be a confidence color for me back in the day. If I was struggling I would try red. Especially in clear water. Had a really small red chatterbait with a red blade. I don’t know why I got away from throwing one honestly...

Mouse in clear. Coleslaw anywhere! Painted white willows

How does it handle pulling fish out of really thick mats?

That is something we differ on. I do not like the cork handles. Personal preference I know. I have nearly 20 Veritas but think as I buy new/upgrade it’s going to be the Ike series going forward.

I have fished Spro before. I really like the KVD Sexy Frog. What do you guys prefer? Maybe something different than these two?

I have megabass jerkbaits and don’t get me wrong. They’re great. But at $25 I have a problem continuing to buy them. I really like the KVD standard and deep divers. But thoughts on other jerkbaits around the $15 and under price?

Do you use it for frogging?

I use a 7’6 MH Abu Garcia Villain. It’s definitely more of a heavy than a medium heavy. I also use a 7’6” Veracity. It’s not quite as stiff. If I’m pitching edges of grass, timber filled coves or docks I’m using my villain. You need a longer stiffer rod imo. I’m only 5’8 and I use them all the way up to 7’9 to pitch. I like to use 30lb power pro and in some cases a flouro leader of 15-17lb Seaguar Abrazx. I also pair these rods with either a Revo premier or a Revo STX. My Villain has the Stx in an 8.1:1gear ratio to take line up fast. I would not even consider using a medium powered rod myself.

I agree. I can run the FG through micro guides without issue and it has a higher strength rating than the others.

I am an Abu guy. Had a St. Croox Mojo and sold it. I prefer rods on the stiffer side and Abu is spot on for me. I would go Veritas. I have a ton of them. Or if you want to get a little more technique specific go with the Ike signature series rods. They range from $129-$149. I recently just added 4 rods to my lineup and they were all Ike signature. Either one would work though. Good luck

My knots are not an issue. I use the FG knot to connect all my leaders.

Does anyone do this? If so, how long is your leader? I was thinking 10# braid to 8# flouro.

That is what I love about Abu rods. I have a total of 20 Abu rods. I prefer a rod a little stiffer yet they’re still sensitive.

I have a rod set up specifically for weightless senkos. Best reel IMO is a Revo premier. Brake system makes it easy. The rod is a 7’ MH Veritas which is stout for a good hookset and fighting ability but being paired with a Revo premier I can cast a senko a mile.

Well I handled several today and decided to add to my Ike collection. I now have 4 of them. 1. 6’4 M/moderate jerkbait 2. 6’4 M/Moderate deep jerkbait. 3. 7’4 MH/F frog rod 4. 7’ M/Moderate cranking rod. all will be paired with new Revo STX except the crank rod will have a Revo Winch. I like fishing two jerkbait rods. One with a standard diver and one with a deeper diver. Just personal preference.

I made my decision and didn’t go with any that I listed. I went with the Ike signature series 7’4 MH. It’s the rod he designed for frogging. 80/20 bend and stout. Thanks for the input though.

Like I said I have the 6’4 casting jerkbait rod. It is hands down the best jerkbait rod I’ve ever used. Just ordered the 7’4mh frog rod today. Excited to try it.

Anyone using the Ike signature series rods from Abu Garcia? If so which ones, for what? And what do you think? I love the 6’4 jerkbait rod but thats the only one I have.

But what about a Veritas from Abu Garcia? Some think that a MH Abu fishes like everyone else’s Heavy

My punch rod is a 7’9 heavy Veritas. Looking to buy a frog rod now. Leaning towards 7’6 MH/F or 7’6 MH/MF

Which tip do you prefer for fishing frogs in heavy cover? F or Modrate Fast? Also MH or Heavy powered rod?

I would use the 40# on the jig rod and mono on the other. I would invest in some flouro for when you fish clear water on the jig rod though. You can then use a leader on the braid and I recommend using the FG leader knot.

I don’t get to fish many pads. Just very thick weed mats, milfoil with algae on top, coon tail, and cat tail edges. But when I say thick mats I mean thick with a lot of undergrowth.

Seaguar Invizx for the stretch factor that it has for everything except top water. My top water rod I use Mono and my frog rod braid. This works great for me

If you ever plan on throwing a little heavier jerkbaits on this I would strongly suggest the 6’4 Ike Signature rod. Best jerkbait rod IMO.