I currently have a hole in my rod arsenal in that I don’t have a heavy power rod that is comfortable to fish with. I have a Fury 735c that weighs too much for my taste, and a 7ft HXF Veracity that is too stiff to throw frogs very far. I’m looking for a good frog rod that can handle occasional heavy grass T-rigging and jigging. I’d like to keep it under 200 but I can push to 250 if necessary. I’m considering:

 

Dobyns Sierra 735c

Daiwa Tatula/Elite 7’3” HF

St. Croix Victory 7’4” HF

 

Any input is appreciated, the rod will be paired with a Curado K XG with 65lb braid. Thank you ?

Of the three rods you listed I'd go with the Tatula. I'll take an ARK Tharp "Money Maker" over any of those. It's a 7'3" Mag MH F that'll do a great job with all three techniques you mentioned for $129. 

 

I have fished the Victory 7’4” H, a friend of mine let me use his for awhile. I would say the 7’4” H is great for frogs and Texas rigs/jigs, it’s really light and sensitive for a heavy power rod, got just enough tip to pitch and cast accurately. 

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

Of the three rods you listed I'd go with the Tatula. I'll take an ARK Tharp "Money Maker" over any of those. It's a 7'3" Mag MH F that'll do a great job with all three techniques you mentioned for $129. 

 

Excellent rod. I was actually using my lancer pro today in that model  throwing jigs...that is a helluva nice rod. Tackle warehouse actually has them on sale right now for $80...that's a steal.

I’ve got a 7’5” Heavy Zodias that may be my favorite rod. I’ve used it for throwing A rigs, swimbaits, frogs, and jigs. I love it for swim jigs around thick grass especially. Very light rod, I haven’t weighed it but it certainly feels lighter than my Fury 734. Sensitivity is fantastic. 
 

As a disclaimer, I haven’t thrown frogs much on it but I’ve thought it’s done a fine job when I’ve used one. 

Falcon Expert Amistad

Expride. That is all.

Phenix Feather Heavy action. 

Pride CS73XH

Okuma PSY-C-751MH

 

https://www.tackledirect.com/okuma-psy-c-751mh-psycho-stick-casting-rod.html

Expride 72H

Zodias 72H

Phenix feather 73xh

 

If you wait for the right sale (Memorial Day is coming up), or sale plus promo code, Dobyns Champ XPs come down to the $200 range. They also often pop up on ALF used section or Dobyns refurb section for under $200. If you like your Fury aside from the weight, I imagine you'd like a Champ XP.

FYI alf has the expride 73xh on sale for $231, it's the previous "a" series. Don't let the xh rating scare you, It's really more of a heavy+ (mod-fast taper), killer frog rod, silly powerful for it's weight. Also though I haven't owned one I've read that the expride heavy is soft for a heavy.

 

Edit: sorry they're showing sold out, missed that. Omnia & tw has some in stock but at regular price.

On 4/30/2022 at 8:28 PM, GReb said:

Falcon Expert Amistad

this is your answer. Great rod for what you describe and more. 

If you can't afford an expride go with the Daiwa or the st. Croix. They will be lighter across the board. I sold my Dobyns champion frog rod for a much lighter expride.

my daiwa tatula 7’1 heavy definitely doesn’t feel like an all around “heavy” rod. the blank towards the bottom near the reel seat is almost the same diameter as my tatula medium heavies. definitely more backbone though

On 5/2/2022 at 1:09 PM, Bass Rutten said:

FYI alf has the expride 73xh on sale for $231, it's the previous "a" series. Don't let the xh rating scare you, It's really more of a heavy+ (mod-fast taper), killer frog rod, silly powerful for it's weight. Also though I haven't owned one I've read that the expride heavy is soft for a heavy.

 

Edit: sorry they're showing sold out, missed that. Omnia & tw has some in stock but at regular price.

This stick felt heavier in power than my St. Croix heavy. I feel like the mod fast is totally correct, but you can punch an oz and a 1/2 in gnarly cover. Id not do that on my Croix. 

I will stir the pot up.

 

I have never felt tired by casting any rod.  EXCEPT !!!   REALLY LONG  salt water surf casting rods & big lures. After a month the muscles developed to be  O K.

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

This stick felt heavier in power than my St. Croix heavy. I feel like the mod fast is totally correct, but you can punch an oz and a 1/2 in gnarly cover. Id not do that on my Croix. 

I had the victory 7'4" heavy in my hands a few weeks but couldn't justify keeping it and returned it because I felt it was too similar to the expride but I totally agree the expride is a bit more powerful.

Dobyns Champion 705c

Dobyns Kaden 715C

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Tried out my new FR 735c frogging on the kayak the other day. 
 

Gotta admit I struggled. Felt really heavy on my wrist. But I’m sure my technique also sucks which doesn’t help. 
 

I can walk topwater spooks easily on lighter rods so I’m not completely lost.

 

Gonna keep at it but monitoring this thread. 

On 4/30/2022 at 5:28 PM, GReb said:

Falcon Expert Amistad

Any of the Falcon Amistad rods. I have 2 of the buccos. One is the OG and the other the sr. And it's an amazing frog rod too. At 7'3" they are perfect.

On 6/6/2022 at 11:58 PM, gulfcaptain said:

Any of the Falcon Amistad rods. I have 2 of the buccos. One is the OG and the other the sr. And it's an amazing frog rod too. At 7'3" they are perfect.

I’ve weighed both the Expert line and the Lowrider line of Amistad

Expert- 4.27oz

Lowrider- 5.0oz

also, the Lowrider Heavy Cover Jig 4.6oz

Expert Bayou- 4.1oz

 

I don’t know if that helps in your search or not but figured I’d offer my numbers 

3 hours ago, LogFinder said:

I’ve weighed both the Expert line and the Lowrider line of Amistad

Expert- 4.27oz

Lowrider- 5.0oz

also, the Lowrider Heavy Cover Jig 4.6oz

Expert Bayou- 4.1oz

 

I don’t know if that helps in your search or not but figured I’d offer my numbers 

im surprised the bayou is only 1/8 oz lighter than the amistad given the 4” difference. I’m sure is feels a lot more in hand because of the length difference but that’s surprising. I considered both when I bought the amistad and picked the extra length for pitching rather than the shorter for frogs (my plan was double duty).