I just purchased the Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Hvy for frog fishing.Who else owns this rod,what else is it good for? Does it throw small swimbaits or pitch creature baits well also? Do you using for any other techniques? thx.

I tried one to see if I would like it for frog fishing. It was way too broomsticky and tip heavy for my liking. 

 

That being said, i think it probably would work as a decent punching stick.  Larger single hook swimbaits (up to 2oz-3oz) should be fine too. 

Carolina rigs, magnum mojo rig, 1/2oz+ jigs, 5-7” weedless boot-tail swimbaits, 7” senkos.

3 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Carolina rigs, magnum mojo rig, 1/2oz+ jigs, 5-7” weedless boot-tail swimbaits, 7” senkos.

Agreed. 

 

My favorite rod for frogs; weedless, slow moving 6-7" swimbaits; 3/4oz jigs in heavy cover; & 3/4oz swim jigs in heavy cover.  This rod can do so much more than I originally thought, I find it super versatile for XH because the tip has some give, strong backbone, and the overall sensitivity, weight, and balance are superb w/ a 7oz reel.  I think you'll be happy.

 

scott

My way of showing the fish something “different” the last few years has been to go big and this rod has been absolutely perfect. I don’t pitch with it as I prefer 7’ rods for casting, pitching, & skipping conventional sized lures. The smallest plastic swimbait I’ve thrown on it was a 4.8 keitech with a 1/4 oz keel weighted owner hook, it’s doable but doesn’t have enough weight to load the rod much, once you go up to the 5.8/6.8 it’s perfect.