What is everyone's thoughts on using 17-20 pound test for frog fishing versus braid?  Reason I am asking and trying to steer clear of braid is that I use only St. Croix Legend Elite's and am afraid that they may be too brittle for the braid and would like some give.  I have 14 of these with 2 7' MH rods, and would also like to be able to use this rod for pitching when I am not mat/slop fishing and the mono/floro would be better for that.

Thanks for your time guys and I appreciate all of your opinions.

Steve

For Kermit fishing you need to have braid imo. For abrasion resistance, strength, and no stretch on your hook sets. In a tournament I wont chance it, I like being able to winch fish when I have to. If you break them, doesnt a Legend Elite have a lifetime warranty? Bust it, get a new one, if a $300 7' MH rod cant handle braid, it wasnt build right imo.

I use XT for frogs... and everything else.  Don't let stereotypes fool you.  There are a bunch of us that have fished frogs (and everything else) on mono for 20 years or more, with great results.  Braid is just one of several answers.

Braid can be very hard on equipment if the USER doesn't compensate but your LE rods will be ok with braid, if you take the precautions that need to be taken with ANY rod/reel and braid.  

I see what you are say with the warranty, guess because I am a warranty Technician at Mathews I don't think like the "average" guy does, but it does make sense.  I won't be abusing it, I will just be using it and I would think that as long as the breaking strength of the braid does not go over the rating of the rod I should be fine.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

Flechero,

You use Trilene XT for frogs?  What made you decide to go mono instead of braid?

Thanks bud,

Steve

I would think that as long as the breaking strength of the braid does not go over the rating of the rod I should be fine.

I would be more concerned about creating grooves in the guides on hooksets and battles than acctually snapping the rod. That was the only issue I have with my Croix's.

SteveF,

I was an XT guy before modern braid was introduced.  I tried braid for a while and found that it caused me more problems than it solved.  I do carry a spare spool of braid with me these days, in case i need it... but I haven't used it yet. (2.5 years and counting) When I speak of "precautions", I speak from first hand experience of broken rods and damaged reels.  For me and my style of fishing, XT is perfect and braid is actually the compromise.  

I don't have any trouble frogging with XT.  It handles pretty well (except in extreme cold) is very abrasion resistant, very strong, if i have to break it I can, I don't carry tools to cut it or glue to ensure knots hold, it doesn't look like ski rope in clear water.  No it won't cut weeds like braid but once the hookset is over there isn't much cutting going on... the weeds that break during the fight are still broken with XT the only difference is in the initial moment... which I have found to be of no consequence.

I use XT for frogs... and everything else. Don't let stereotypes fool you. There are a bunch of us that have fished frogs (and everything else) on mono for 20 years or more, with great results.

Another member of the Old Fart Club speaks words of wisdom.  

I too tried braided when it first appeared in the market and ........ back to nylon again.

I'm with Fletch and Raul.  I use 15# - 20# mono for all frogging - in my case Stren Original or Trilene XL.  I tried braid, didn't like it, and went back to mono.   Mono works fine.  

I use 20lb Triline XT when I am fishing frogs in tight quarters where I am not far from the frog (like skipping under low trees).  I do this because like most of us, when you have a fish blow up 25 ft away, we JERK...right away. The mono just has the stretch to allow a fish that has it good to not be yanked into the boat on hook set.

See us young guys can not follow the crowd too!

Even though I use braid in all other situations.

:-?, when did using braid become following the crowd?  Anyway, some of you old school fellows here that have only tried braid when it first came out are missing the boat.  IMO it has evolved from a disaster waiting to happen (twisting around guides, cutting into itself, making better knots than you, fraying, etc.) to a must have option.  I too hated Powerpro/Spiderwire with a passion and still do, but some of the newer braids are way better.  Try Stren Superbraid or Suffix and see what you think.  

As far as frogging with a St. Croix legend and braid, what are you afraid of?  If my little finesse G. Loomis slate can handle it then your St. Croix legend should have no problem.  Make sure you don't crank your drag down too much  and no more swinging for the fences hooksets.  Your hookup ratio should increase especially fishing the slop and you don't have to worry about breaking off.  Now get yourself a spool of Superbraid 40/50# and catch a slop monster with that Croix.

I honestly think it boils downn to preference.  I prefer braid.  The new Daiwa Samurai 8 strand is pricey, but works fantastic.  

I use both, if i'm fishing thick slop then i use braid cus i got another 5lbs of what ever on with the fish, if i'm fishing lilly pads clear water, nothing bellow mono comes out cus ur not haulin in 20lbs of weed and mud. For braid i'll use 50lbs cus its still super thin and i can depend on, and even if it has a little abraision to it it'll hold. (and its what we have most of here at the tackleshop) For monofilament i'll stick with 15lbs.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.  I have had great success with the Suffix DNA Pro-Mix mono, and will probably continue to use that for 99% of my fishing.

Take care and Happy New Year all,

Steve