David P

Owner makes an 11/0 big worm hook.

The longer rod will definitely help with longer casts and moving more line on the hook set. I frog with a 7'3 rod, and occasionally with a 7'6 and 8ft rod. The heavier rod would definitely be my pick , especially if you're throwing it on weed mats. Better to have more power then to be under powered with frogs.

2009 - Buying a bass boat finally (2000 Champion 181 w/ 150 Optimax) Only started bass fishing in 07, so the Decade list is short.. 2008 - 12lb 6oz & 13lb3oz large mouth.

For baits under 3oz I used to use a Toro, now I use a Revo Inshore. Works great. For bigger stuff,Ii use a Daiwa Luna 300.

You won't be sorry with the Champion or the Extreme, both are great rods for the money. I have an Extreme 784 and would take it any day over my old Loomis MBR844C GLX. Having said that, if you CAN spend the money, the Extremes are SWEET rods. And at $50 off since you have a gift card, that's one hell of a steal. The new rods are made in Korea. They have the no hassle no questions asked lifetime warranty for $60.

The extreme was comparable to that of the GLX. I haven't personally fished an IMX. I have read and heard of several reviews on other forums about guys switching from IMX rods to Champions. Search around and you'll find some great reviews. You will not be disappointed one bit with a Dobyns rod.

I have a 701 and 702 spinning. Very light weight and very sensitive. I've owned 1 Loomis rod, MBR844C GLX . I sold it to replace it with a 734 Dobyns Extreme rod and didn't regret it one bit. I love being able to put my finger on the rod blank above the reel instead of on a piece of cork.

The shipment is not quite here. There have been a handful of them at the current shows going on in the bay area but that's about it. They should be here first or second week of February. If you want a Savvy series for what you're looking to do. There's two good choices. 735 and 766. The 735 is a great frog rod, and can double as a jig rod, spinnerbait rod, and many other things. I actually ordered one for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits exclusively. The 766 is more of a heavy duty flipping rod. It can certainly be used as a frog rod, and you can do some punching and heavy flipping as well. Figure out what you're going to use the rod for more often. Should help make up your mind.

I use a 736 as my main frog rod, but also use a 765 and 766 when I need a second rod for frogs. Sometimes I have 2-3 frogs tied on, and I personally love the longer rods. The 736 is the easiest rod for me to work ALL day, 8-10 hours of just throwing a frog and walking it. The 766 gets me a little more worn out if I'm trying to use it for the entire day exclusively while frogging. The fish in my avatar I caught on a jig, one that I actually tied myself. My big frog fish is only 8lbs4oz, but I have several in the 7lb range as well.

They're much different now. The G1 Dobyns were similar, but the G2 Dobyns are far above. The Savvy series balance as well as the Champions, which is a major plus. Rods over 7ft can get very tip heavy.

Dobyns 735 Savvy Series. I will have mine in a week or two and will give further details. They have been getting great reviews from everyone that has held them at he ISE Show . Very light, very well balanced, and fits your price range.

How do you know it has anything to do with the rod? What frogs are you using,what line? are you waiting until you actually feel the weight of that fish? Is it possible you are pulling that frog away from that bass before hes actually hooked up? Many possibilities Longer rods DO help, especially with frogs on long casts.

As others have recommended, definitely use 65lb braid, a 7.1:1 reel, and a few Snag proof Bobby's perfect frogs. It will help a lot. Good luck!

Don't forget to throw the new Dobyns Savvy series into that mix. Now at relatively the same price as Powell. Lot of guys have been raving about them after seeing and holding them at the ISE San Mateo show last weekend. Saying they're the best balanced rods out on the market and incredibly light.

Dobyns just came out with a new lineup called the Savvy series. They make a 766 which is 7ft 6" and a 6power which is perfect for frogs.

It's very true, and he's not the only pro who says this. A straight shank hook there is no eye in the way of the hook point.

Dirty Jigs Tackle makes a full lineup of SICK swim jigs. I've had pretty good success with them so far, and can't wait for spring to really give them a great work out.

X2. A tad pricey but great frog. Never did like the Spro. Video on the R2S looks awesome! Have to give these a shot. What is this frog you are talking about? Where can I get one and do they have a video on it? HookedUpTackle.com has them , it's my by Snag Proof and designed with the help of Ish Monroe. It's called the Phat Frog.

Dobyns 734. Better to have a little more power then to be a little under powered. I prefer a 765 for jigs but I fish heavy cover and 3/4oz jigs a lot.

In my mind, there's no other frog needed other then Bobby's perfect frog. I've tried them all, except the new Maxx frog, and after using the perfect frog I haven't used another frog since.

The Phat frog is a pretty sweet frog. The design they came up with allows very little if any water to get into the bait. It also walks very easily.

The biggest reason for snelling is to increase your hook ups. If you let the weight free fall against the hook, watch the hook pop up. Now imagine that in the fishes mouth. I only snell my knot when punching. Your hook up ratio will go up, and the hook is almost always in the roof of their mouth hooked solid.

Dobyns 701 - Drop Shot Dobyns 702 - Drop Shot, Shaky Head, Tubes Dobyns 703 - Shaky Head , Finesse jigs, Flukes All are split grip. Not sure what you plan to use it for, but that would help.

I flip with 65lb braid and a 25lb CXX leader. For frogs, straight 65lb braid. And for punching 80lb braid.

There is no reason why you wouldn't use an STX HS for your frogs, high speed and the drag make it the perfect frog rod. Having said that here's what I'd do: Dobyns : STX HS Carrot Stick : (Again you want the drag) STX HS The other reels I don't know much about.