Anyone using the St Croix Victory 7’3 H/XF rod for open water to medium cover frogging? I’m up north.  1/4oz Pad Crasher jr’s and some 1/2oz Pad Crashers, 5/8oz Terminators, 3/4oz Phat Mat frog type stuff.

I think the 7’4 Heavy would be better for frogging.  

11 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I think the 7’4 Heavy would be better for frogging.  

Actually - St Croix DOES recommend the 7'3" H/XF for frogging...set of charts came out that shows their recommended techniques with each rod. Here's page 2.

Note the 7'4" H/F also works for frogs, but the H/XF has more 'usages' for cover work.

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Actually - St Croix DOES recommend the 7'3" H/XF for frogging...set of charts came out that shows their recommended techniques with each rod. Here's page 2.

 

Note the 7'4" H/F also works for frogs, but the H/XF has more 'usages' for cover work.

Where do I find these charts ?

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Actually - St Croix DOES recommend the 7'3" H/XF for frogging...set of charts came out that shows their recommended techniques with each rod. Here's page 2.

Note the 7'4" H/F also works for frogs, but the H/XF has more 'usages' for cover work.

Oh good to know!  Thanks.   I was looking at the 7’3 H/XF to pick up for myself next week and I’m sure in my searches most recommended the 7’4 H because the 7’3HXF is more of a MH+.    Good chart find too.  Thanks 

37 minutes ago, SmallJawSlurp said:

Where do I find these charts ?

They published them soon after the introduction of the Victory line - I forget exactly where I got them.

 

Wish they'd do it for their other lines too - but the Mojo Bass line lines up well enough with the Victory that you can use the same charts.

2 hours ago, SmallJawSlurp said:

Where do I find these charts ?

 

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Good chart find too.  Thanks 

Ok - if the link works, here's the full charts for the Victory rods...they posted it on their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/StCroixRod

 

As I said as well, works for the Mojo Bass line as well - the power/actions are pretty much the same between the two lines.

If I am buying a rod just to throw frogs or to throw them in thick lily pads, I would want the 7'4" H/F which has a lot more power and a stiffer tip. The 7'3" has a soft but short tip.

 

But if you want a rod to throw jigs, CRigs and TRigs that is capable of light duty frogging, the 7'3" H/XF is a fantastic rod. It's pretty ideal for open water frogging. My kid uses it for frogs, but most of our lily pads have not grown in as thick as normal the last couple of seasons.

 

On 3/4/2023 at 11:36 AM, MiceNReets said:

Oh good to know!  Thanks.   I was looking at the 7’3 H/XF to pick up for myself next week and I’m sure in my searches most recommended the 7’4 H because the 7’3HXF is more of a MH+.    Good chart find too.  Thanks 

That is correct. The 7'3" is a MH+ in the St Croix lineup, or a MH++ because the MH is already a MH+ if that makes sense.

On 3/4/2023 at 11:14 AM, SmallJawSlurp said:

Anyone using the St Croix Victory 7’3 H/XF rod for open water to medium cover frogging? I’m up north.  1/4oz Pad Crasher jr’s and some 1/2oz Pad Crashers, 5/8oz Terminators, 3/4oz Phat Mat frog type stuff.

3/4 might stress the rod in cover. I’d say cap the weights around that in total. I have the Victory HXF and Elite 7’4 and the power is noticeably different. The 7’4 can go to a 1oz punch weight with a 5 inch trailer easily. 

I have the 7' 3" H/XF and I think it'll work just fine for frogs. I use mine for jigs up to 3/4oz and it does it no problem. As long as you're not in really heavy cover, I don't think you'll have any issues. 

i think it will work.  i have found i want a rod with a softer tip.

Punch fishing does a great video on this model.  I'd go 74Hf

I would use no less than a 5 power rod for what you stated the cover was you were fishing. Use a high speed reel so when you set the hook start reeling to try to keep the fish from getting down into the cover where they a better chance to get off. I only fish a 6 power when Frog fishing so I get a better hook set.