So I've got my eye on a new 09 Shimano Curado 201E7 as my next baitcaster.  I'm planning on using it for topwaters like frogs, pitching jigs and plastics into heavy cover.  What would a good rod be to pair with this reel.  Do you think the gear ratio of the reel is too high for this application?  I'd like to stick with Shimano rods for the warranty and I've been real happy with my shimano products.  Looking at the compre or clarus lineup.  I'd like to stay at $100 or under for the rod.  I will probably be putting either 65lb braid or 14-16lb fluoro on the reel as well.  I'm not a huge fan of braid so thats still up in the air.  THanks.

So I've got my eye on a new 09 Shimano Curado 201E7 as my next baitcaster. I'm planning on using it for topwaters like frogs, pitching jigs and plastics into heavy cover. What would a good rod be to pair with this reel. Do you think the gear ratio of the reel is too high for this application? I'd like to stick with Shimano rods for the warranty and I've been real happy with my shimano products. Looking at the compre or clarus lineup. I'd like to stay at $100 or under for the rod. I will probably be putting either 65lb braid or 14-16lb fluoro on the reel as well. I'm not a huge fan of braid so thats still up in the air. THanks.

No I don 't think it 's too high, on the contrary, it 's about right.

You don 't want to spend a lot of cash in a rod check out the Shimano Clarus line, very good rods for the money.

You actually want a fast retrieve so you can yank them out from the cover so you should be good there.  

Either of those Shimano rods are very highly respected so go with what your wallet tells you.

Try some of the new braids (Fireline, Suffix, Power Pro)  They are nothing like they used to be.  The line really is great!

7'-8' Heavy

You actually want a fast retrieve so you can yank them out from the cover so you should be good there.

Either of those Shimano rods are very highly respected so go with what your wallet tells you.

Try some of the new braids (Fireline, Suffix, Power Pro) They are nothing like they used to be. The line really is great!

I'm far from an expert but I would think the slower reteive would be better. Slower ratio means more power. I suppose there are arguments on both sides. I wouldn't think that a high gear raito reel is a durable as a slower. I guess it depends if you want to try to launch the fish from cover or force them.

Personally, I would rather go with heavy line, low ratio, and nice sturdy rod and if need be bring the cover out with the fish.

I do all of my frogging 201E7, the gear ratio isn't too high at all. I like to be able to take up slack quickly with frogs and the higher retrieve speed helps a lot.

So I've got my eye on a new 09 Shimano Curado 201E7 as my next baitcaster. I'm planning on using it for topwaters like frogs, pitching jigs and plastics into heavy cover. What would a good rod be to pair with this reel. Do you think the gear ratio of the reel is too high for this application? I'd like to stick with Shimano rods for the warranty and I've been real happy with my shimano products. Looking at the compre or clarus lineup. I'd like to stay at $100 or under for the rod. I will probably be putting either 65lb braid or 14-16lb fluoro on the reel as well. I'm not a huge fan of braid so thats still up in the air. THanks.

Well if your going to throwing something like the Spro frogs you want braid! It doesn't sink like fluro and has no strech where fluro is low stretch. The result is allot better hook ups. I tend to jig with fluro on a separate rod. So if you need to do double duty you could use a fluro leader in clear water. Otherwise just use braid in stained to dirty water.

Thanks for the quick replies.  I'd like this to be a double duty rod until I can afford to get ANOTHER rod n reel for jigging and c rigs.

What actions and lengths do you guys recommend for those two rods?  Thats where I'm mostly lost in the selection.  I currently have a compre 7' crank rod/curado 201dpv combo that I love. ;D

You actually want a fast retrieve so you can yank them out from the cover so you should be good there.

Either of those Shimano rods are very highly respected so go with what your wallet tells you.

Try some of the new braids (Fireline, Suffix, Power Pro) They are nothing like they used to be. The line really is great!

I'm far from an expert but I would think the slower reteive would be better. Slower ratio means more power. I suppose there are arguments on both sides. I wouldn't think that a high gear raito reel is a durable as a slower. I guess it depends if you want to try to launch the fish from cover or force them.

Personally, I would rather go with heavy line, low ratio, and nice sturdy rod and if need be bring the cover out with the fish.

You aren 't going to crank in the fish, you are going to horse them out with the rod, puuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, reel in the slack line as fat as you can as you lower your rod, puuuuuuuuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, what do you want a slower reel for ? you want a pool cue.

Shimano Crucial 7' 6" MH/F or H/F would be perfect for both techniques!

Shimano Crucial CRC-X72H

CRC-X72H, Line Weight: 15-30 lbs. mono/ 30-65 lbs. braid. Extra Fast Action. This rod is ideal for pitching worms and jigs in heavier cover with a lot of power to pull them out. Also great for fishing frogs over thick vegetation.

This is my frog rod, little more cost than you specified but might wanna look into it. always better to go ahead and buy the rod you want than to get caught up in the upgrade cycle.

You actually want a fast retrieve so you can yank them out from the cover so you should be good there.

Either of those Shimano rods are very highly respected so go with what your wallet tells you.

Try some of the new braids (Fireline, Suffix, Power Pro) They are nothing like they used to be. The line really is great!

I'm far from an expert but I would think the slower reteive would be better. Slower ratio means more power. I suppose there are arguments on both sides. I wouldn't think that a high gear raito reel is a durable as a slower. I guess it depends if you want to try to launch the fish from cover or force them.

Personally, I would rather go with heavy line, low ratio, and nice sturdy rod and if need be bring the cover out with the fish.

You aren 't going to crank in the fish, you are going to horse them out with the rod, puuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, reel in the slack line as fat as you can as you lower your rod, puuuuuuuuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, what do you want a slower reel for ? you want a pool cue.

You actually want a fast retrieve so you can yank them out from the cover so you should be good there.

Either of those Shimano rods are very highly respected so go with what your wallet tells you.

Try some of the new braids (Fireline, Suffix, Power Pro) They are nothing like they used to be. The line really is great!

I'm far from an expert but I would think the slower reteive would be better. Slower ratio means more power. I suppose there are arguments on both sides. I wouldn't think that a high gear raito reel is a durable as a slower. I guess it depends if you want to try to launch the fish from cover or force them.

Personally, I would rather go with heavy line, low ratio, and nice sturdy rod and if need be bring the cover out with the fish.

You aren 't going to crank in the fish, you are going to horse them out with the rod, puuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, reel in the slack line as fat as you can as you lower your rod, puuuuuuuuLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !, what do you want a slower reel for ? you want a pool cue.

Thats what I meant   ;D

My current frog setup is a Cabelas 6'6" MH Worm/Jig rod along with a Quantum Accurist PT and 20# Fireline Braid.

Haven't had a chance to use it yet but the rod seems to have plenty of backbone to get them out of heavy cover.