Jrob78

Normally a frog rod can double as a jig rod, heavy t-rigs, c-rigs, small swimbaits, pitching and flipping, really anything that requires a heavier rod. It probably won't be good for everything but you can definitely do more than just fish frogs with it.

Good answer.

None of the modern, popular poppers are going to have what you're looking for. The YM, Rico, Zell Pop, Iovino, G Splash, Duo, etc...are all spitters. You might try the Hula Popper.

The XCalibur XCS line of Sq bills is my favorite of the lower priced baits. I prefer them over the KVD's.

They're great on the back of a swim jig too.

The rod will handle the frog fine, heavy cover is what it won't heavy well. If you aren't fishing heavy cover you should be ok. Just be aware of your hook sets. It will be a little harder to drive big frog hooks home with a shorter MH rod.

I've never fished them with a slip sinker either. I fish them weightless 95% of the time and either use a c-rig or a weighted hook the rest of the time.

I've never used a L&T rod but I do know they were favored by many of the Daiwa pro staffers when they were available. The SX should be a good reel to pair with it. I have a Daiwa Tatula Type R in 8.1 on my frog rod and I like it a lot.

I use the Picasso's and the Owner's.

Cool, thanks. I always forget about Getbit.

I've never tried to throw anything close to an ounce on mine but I don't think it would have enough power. Where are you finding the RX8's on sale, if you don't mind me asking.

I've never fished the Phenix composite blanks but the other composites I have fished fish a lot like glass. If you don't like glass, you probably won't like composites either. The only blank on your list that I have fished is the RX7 cranking blank, specifically the 7' MH. I built one last year and really like it a lot. I use it for square bills down to larger mid divers and it is also fantastic for bladed jigs and some spinnerbaits. It's a good, versatile graphite cranking blank.

I don't use barbless hooks but if I did, I would just smash down the barbs. No need to buy different hooks unless they need replacing anyway.

I like Sufix braid, both the Performance Braid and the 832.

You can also change the direction the fluke moves by slightly pointing the nose up or down when you rig it on the hook. You can make it skitter across the surface or stay under the surface, even with a fast retrieve.

I normally fish Flukes fast, keeping them close to surface. It isn't a slow presentation at all. You can fish them slow, like a Senko, but I usually use Senkos for deadsticking and Flukes for fast twitching.

The best? I can't answer that. That Tatula would probably be my choice though. You can get the cranking model for quite a bit under $150.

Throw Cell Mate in the mix as well.

Spro's are very well made baits with better components than SK baits. They also have a different shape and different action. It's hard to compare the two. The Spro Fat John is the closest to the SK sq bills but it's still very different. If you are interested in trying 2 Spro baits then it's worth it.

Be sure to post a pic when you get it finished up. My last 2 personal builds were SCV's, built plain jane. That is the way to go on personal rods. All performance and no flash.

Strike King just released a version as well, their version has Trokar hooks. I like the SK's and the Biffle Heads, they can be purchased just about anywhere. I use the 7/16 and 11/16 the most.

What is your favorite braid? Sufix 832 Your favorite fluorocarbon? Seaguar Tatsu Your favorite monofilament? Sufix Elite Your favorite copolymer? PLine CX

This and this.

I agree with you. I gave left handed reels a try and came to the same conclusion. If you palm a baitcaster you still have to move from a casting grip to a reeling grip, even if you don't switch hands. It's just as easy to switch hands as it is to adjust your grip and not switch hands.

Casting gear is way more funner for me. I don't enjoy using spinning gear.