I've decided it's time for me to start investing in some casting set ups. Since fishing mats is my favorite and most commonly used technique I want my first set up to be suited for this purpose. I'm pretty sure I'm gong with the Abu Garcia Orra sx2. Within my price range it seems to best for what I want to do. If anyone has a better idea I'd love to hear. Mostly I'm interested in advice on rod selection. I intend to use it mostly for flipping into mats and heavy cover but might occasionally like to throw a frog on and be able to whip it out there. Please and thanks for any answers to this long winded question

Sorry I should mention that my budget for the rod is probably $100 max. Might exceed that a little if need be

Welcome to the forum..you might want to go to the introduction so we can all say hey...  my vote.. is a *** ***....  7'3MH is what I use for froggin. but if you are going heavy stuff.. get you a 7'3 HEAVY.. or even the 7'11H.. that would also do well with walking frogs and popping frogs and the heavy stuff.. but might be too long for your taste... on sale you can get both of these for 100 dollars.. like tw black friday.. hope this helps! and again welcome to the forum.

The *** 7'3" is one of the rods I had been considering. Thanks for the input

I really like my 7'6" H  Abu Vendetta for most of my flipping, pitching and punching needs.  I have had several flipping rods in this price range ($80-$120), like the 7'11" St Croix Mojo flipping stick, and the Shimano Clarus 7'11 H power flip/punch rod to name a few, and the Abu is lighter, and way better balanced.............which if you spend 8+ hours a day flipping like I often do, makes a big BIG difference.

I would suggest based on your budget to take a look at the Denali Jadewood flipping rod, its 7'6  extra heavy fast action rod and comes in at $120. I have the Kovert series Flipping rod witch is 7'8 with the same action and it is awesome. it however is $150 and is getting away from your budget . But the jadewood line is an affordable series of rods and offers a variety of technique specific rods . I have over a half dozen Denali rods and all of them have worked flawlessly for me ,I would look there before buying any rod .

try a 7'7" MH shimano Compre for about 120. lifetime warranty, and pretty sensitive. 

 

Mitch

You said mats and heavy cover in your initial post. I would not suggest any MH rod for that. You will want a heavy at least. Maybe even XH depending on the lure ratings. If you're punching mats then you'll be using 1oz+ weights plus then your punch hub "if you use them" and your bait. That goes over what any MH rod is capable of. The *** 7'3 H only goes to 1.5oz. This is where you have to figure out what best fits your needs. I would go XH if mats were my thing. Not sure how that's going to double as a frog rod though.

There's some good Black Friday deals to be had. Check this out: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127595-black-friday-sale-starts-wednesday-at-valley-sports/

I have used the Duckett Rods, Carrot Stix, and others. They are all good. You need at least a heavy action or better yet, a extra heavy in any rod that you buy. I have Denali Rods now and so far, they are great also.

Powell Diesel 765. $60-70 and a beast.

^^^ $49.99 at the fish ranger

Last time i was at bass pro shops i was looking at the veritas rods and picked up an 8' h rod. I didnt realize it was 8' till i read it on the blank.

It was super light. I bet it would make a great flip/punch rod. I was amazed at the balance of that rod for an 8 footer.

I've decided it's time for me to start investing in some casting set ups. Since fishing mats is my favorite and most commonly used technique I want my first set up to be suited for this purpose. I'm pretty sure I'm gong with the Abu Garcia Orra sx2. Within my price range it seems to best for what I want to do. If anyone has a better idea I'd love to hear. Mostly I'm interested in advice on rod selection. I intend to use it mostly for flipping into mats and heavy cover but might occasionally like to throw a frog on and be able to whip it out there. Please and thanks for any answers to this long winded question

 

I like to use the 7'6" Fenwick HMG rod. It is a lightweight and very sensitive rod. This model is a medium heavy rod with a extra fast tip which will allow you to make those accurate and soft casts needed to not spook those bigger then average fish. 

if you are in mats, you aint gonna be using a MH.

 

I would go with ww2farmer because I know he does this type of fishing some AND he suggested an actual flipping rod (one labeled as such) in your price range.

 

 

IMO, if you use one of the MH suggested here you are going to break it. MH aint meant to be flipping heavy grass.

.