BassinLou

^^^^ This is very true ^^^^

There are three techniques that I will not use leaders with, and frogging is one of them. No need to use a leader. However, to each their own.

LiveTarget's HB 45 series frogs are very small.

Pond King, you made a good choice imo. Best of luck on your purchase.

Which Dobyns 736 were you considering? If you find the 736 to be too much, then look into the 735's. I have both families of rods that you mentioned. I use the Avid as a frog rod, but when the cover gets thick and knarly I take out the Champion 736. Good luck with your choice.

Congrats!! I am way past due on a PB myself.... lol!!

^^^This^^^ would be my choice as well.

If the LTB is option, than I would choose that rod over an Avid. The LTB is a bit more refined and although many have mentioned that the rod is of equal weight to that of the Avid, the LTB feels lighter to me.

To the OP, I have the exact Avid rod you are researching. I have never handled a G.loomis rod so I am out of that discussion. The Avid is a flat out workhorse of a rod. I have had it for several years and it has caught me many nice bass. Just look to your left at my Avatar. I use this rod for the majority of my bank fishing. As far as weight it has never played a factor for me. I have a Lews TT pro mounted on this rod and it pairs nicely with the Avid. If I could change one thing on this rod is its the handle. I would prefer the handle to be a little bit longer. Other than that its great. With a Lifetime Warranty, this rod is a clear choice for me.

I am an avid frogger, and there are better frogs out there than lunker frogs. They had potential but they can't stand up to bass abuse. Lol!!

I have not submitted a report on here for little while and it looks like our area needs some summer time representation... Lol!! My BIL and I took a trip out on Alligator Alley this past Saturday (7/18). Conditions: Outside temps were high 80's, Water temps: 86.5-87.5 degrees, Wind: SE 5-10mph, Water: lightly stained. We fished the Miami canal from 2:45pm to 8pm. The fishing started off pretty slow. We were throwing a variety of baits and I settled on throwing the HB frog. By the end of our outing we landed 13 LMB. Considering the summertime conditions I felt we did OK. Looking forward to our August trip already. Here are some pics of some of my better catches.... enjoy!!

^^^^ This^^^^ Your hotel is a couple of miles from the beach. The only fresh water area close to your location is TY park and its on the East side of I-95 off Sheridan St which the exit just South of you. Good luck!! Also... take a good amount of water with you and cover up. Trust me... It's been extremely humid and hot lately. August is a very tough down here. Dehydration will occur quickly if you are not used to our weather.

Congratulations!! Great looking fish.

My best all around rod that I use for bank fishing is 7ft MH Avid. I have had this rod for several yrs now and its been battle tested many of times.

For me it its family commitments. Weather?? Yeah... weather can play a role on that particular day. Other than that I deal with the conditions that are presented to me on that day. My fishing days are very few and very far between. I have learned to role with the punches or else I can't fish.

Better late than never I guess.... Welcome!! It will be cool if several other "new" members will follow what you did, cause it would make things a lot easier when attempting to offer suggestions.

Man..... I hate those. I had one a few months ago had to go to the chiro to put everything back in it's place. Felt much better after a couple of days.

When it comes down to the price of this bait. Imho those that can afford it will buy it, those that can't won't. When or "if" this bait performs and delivers on its effectiveness, the naysayers will secretly go purchase one, and those that have one will buy more. We have all seen this with other baits hundreds of times.

I will admit that the price is on the steeper side, and as these baits make there way to the market we will see there effectiveness. Am I excited for this new bait ? Yes. However I have been down this road before with LiveTarget, and I was quickly disappointed. Although I really love the LT frogs, the LT mice was a big let down to me. Several have mentioned it already, and that is the intake of water. A few good hits from bass and this bait is going to start taking on water quick. The question for me now lies in which road is the new sunfish bait going to take? Is it going to be tough like the frog, or weak like the mouse? Time will tell.

Now that would have been very cool see!! LOL!!

Yep.... That won't happen again. Just like my son when he was little, he spun a penny and when it stopped spinning it stayed upright. Never will we see that again.

That little guy looks like he was fun on bass fishing gear. Fortunately you had a productive trip.

I was self taught from a young age. My Dad who knows nothing of fishing took me out once with a friend of his and I have been hooked ever since. Before there was the Internet, I read a lot from books and magazines that I came across. Much of it was trial and error on the water. Since I have always lived in urban areas, I learned to fish in canals. My first experience fishing in a big lake was just last yr. I was fortunate enough at the age of 24-25 to have a mentor. His name is Bill W. He is much older now and sadly doesn't fish any more, took me under his wing. I thought I knew about bass fishing until I met him. He also taught me how to handle a boat, and because of his teachings I mustered up the $$ to buy my bass boat that I still have today. Over that time the internet took off and up until 3 yrs ago I became involved in forums. I can happily say I am still student of these green fish I love to go after

I encourage anglers to take break from fishing after July 1st. It leaves me alone while I am fishing during the summer. Less boats to contend with.

I don't think your fish's weight issue has anything to do in regards to his lost eye.