BassinLou

2 rods quickly come to mind that are great frog rods close to that range. 7ft Avid, MH or a Dobyns Savvy 735. Still leaving you $$ for a nice reel too.

Out of of my 5 b/c outfits, 4 are high speed and 1 is a 6.4:1 ratio. I have just learned to fish the high speed reels slower and I have the speed there if the situation calls for it.

I can understand your frustration. 1 out 15 leaves for a lot of room for improvement. Although a frog strike a quick and violent. There is a moment in the strike, where you can see if your frog was actually eaten by the bass. When you do not see your frog anymore, cross the fishes eyes with a strong upward hookset. I know its easier said then done.. trust me i am guilty of setting early on strikes too.

This 5lbr struck my frog in the glades last month, right as I was pulling my frog out of the water. Fortunately I was fishing with my Dobyns champion 736, because that fish couldn't go anywhere but in my boat... LOL....

That hook design looks like your culprit. That looks like an old school design. They were not designed to be reeled in for swimming action. They are meant to be popped or twitched.

Popular thread these days. There are 2 ongoing threads already going on about this topic. "Best" is relative term. Someone's best is another anglers average. There are many great choices out there. If others members chime in, you will quickly see how the choices are numerous. Take your pick: Dobyns, St.croix, Ducketts, Omens, Tatula, Shimano, that's just to name a few off the top of my head. Go see and handle some rods and help narrow down what's "best" for "you". What's your budget? That will automatically narrow down the playing field. Good luck with your choice.

It's mental. Constantly thinking that your spot is heavily pressured is throwing you off your game. There are plenty of articles that cover what to do if you feel your fishing spot is heavily pressured. You may have to change tactics and adopt techniques that you may not be used to, but I bet you will be successful if you double up on your efforts. Change the record your playing in your head; "oh a fish won't hit this because they are pressured". You keep saying this and you will make your wish come true. You will catch 0 fish.

I don't expect to see too many reports from July thru Sept. Fishing gets a little challenging, and unless you are fishing early morning or evening/night, many will not endure the day time heat. Good luck this summer!!

I think you should give the wardens a call. It will make everyone that fishes that spot a little more conscious of the rules and regulations if a warden would stop by every once in a while. I know for me I have only been stopped twice. 1. For a safety inspection in the glades 2. I was fishing 2 blocks from my house at a neighborhood canal when a FWC officer happen to be driving by. Turned his lights on and everything. I smiled to myself, and fortunately I was carrying my wallet, so I produced my license and I was good. The officer ended up being a cool guy and we ended up chit chatting for while.

Sounds painful. Fish long enough and an injury is bound to happen. My latest injury, 2yrs ago landed me at the ER. Small Rapala treble hook really got caught in the meaty part of my thumb. The doc brought a pair pliers and some local anesthesia. He had to work to take it out. Thank goodness for the anesthesia...LOL

I don't know what frog you are referring to. However, many of the hollow body frogs come with a disc counter weight towards the bottom backside. It may have fallen out. That causes the frog to flip on its back side. Good luck!!

I use thin or heavy hooks depending on where and how I am going to fish. I use thinner hooks in lighter applications and thicker hooks when I transition into power fishing applications.

That's a good question. The fish in my avatar was caught on a turnpike retention pond. 3 min after that pic was taken, I was run off by FHP. There are no visible signs on those retention ponds. The ones they don't want you around on,have high fences around them. Its obvious there is no fishing allowed there. I asked a FWC officer shortly after that incident, and the officer said he doesn't understand why I was asked to leave. Me personally... since after that experience I have not returned and nor will I again. Unfortunate too, because that pond had some pigs in it.

I will be entering the 4th floor in 3 weeks.... lol

Same here. I have been using the alberto knot for a while too. Never once had a guide problem. Your OCD is getting the better of you. Your guides are fine. Seriously.

Haha... so true. Seagulls love topwater baits. Their vision is unbelievable. Just when you think they far enough and out of range, they turn around and dive bomb after the bait. crazy.... and annoying after a while.

Congratulations!! Your life now will never be the same. Love takes on a whole new meaning now.

I caught a snake bird once. That experience was really unique.... lol

I don't know if all brands are built the same but, I know in the koppers frogs the skirt is long stand of fibers tied in the middle with a big knot. If you have another frog that's just about done, take out that skirt, tie it on to the old skirt and then just pull it through. Hope that works for you.

LOL... don't you hate it when that happens. You know you are chucking a big bass bait out there, you feel the tick of a pick up, you get your heart pumping with excitement and then!!!!...... dink lol

Ah.... enough said... that bait monkey has gotten me into trouble plenty of times. As far as the Curado goes, give it a chance. I used my first one for a month before i decided to get my 2nd one. You have to break them in. They are great reels. Good luck and thank you for answering my question.

Just out of complete curiosity.... why would you purchase 3 Curado's ? Why didn't you just get the feel of the 1st one, fish it for a while,and then make a decision like you did with your Chronarch's. You have been part of BR for a while now, and before a little while back you had all Abu's. I think you had some issue's with a couple of Revo S's and you decided to go all Chronarch which you loved. Again.... it is mere curiosity, I come in peace....

Are you in the market for a setup? You are going to get bombarded with suggestions. A little bit more info on your part will be helpful. Most importantly your budget? That will either increase or decrease your options... And... to answer your question... my main frogging outfit is a Champion 736 on a Curado I with 50lb PP

If you are talking both rod and reel for $200. I would look into the the Lews speed spool and a MH 7ft Carbonlite rod. Nice entry level outfit.

Rick!! What's up bud, I thought we lost you... welcome back!!