I am putting together a pretty much dedicated Frog Rod

but also will throw some swimbaits and some pitching and flipping

Blank is an MHX FP885 cut down 1 inch

Right now i have 4.5 ti torzite for it, but kinda thinking about running kw5's

why? just so i dont have issues with bent or broken guides, long term durability

thoughts?

If you are making a dedicated Frog Rod the better choice would be a MB874. If you read the description on the Mudhole site they even say it is a frog rod. I have been building this rod for years for all of my bass tournament guys and with over thirty of them in the field it is the choice of the best out there. It has tons of power and a tip that will cast a frog a country mile unlike a flipping rod that is much stiffer in the tip. Also it is already a 7'3" blank and no cutting required.

If you like to flip and pitch the FP885 would do the job as it all boils down to your personal preference.

On the guides if you plan on tying 65 lb braid to a leader I would go the 5's if straight braid the 4.5 is alright. However on a frog Rod you should use the KB's all the way out , I've never have had a problem with them coming out. And if you feel the need you can always use a locking wrap on them

Tom

tomscustomrods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/06/2021 01:52PM by Tom Wewerka.

Tom,


Thanks I have the MB874, its a great rod, but i want the extra power of the 885

lots of hydrilla and slop down here, but agree the 874 is a dandy.

When I am fishing a frog over heavy matted vegetation, I fish it with the tip up, so I want the tip to be light. I wouldn't use double foot guides as running guides. There's really no need. I would however use three double foot guides as a reduction train. I build all my casting rods that way anyway, but I would definitely do it on a rod seeing the use a rod sees when fishing slop. I personally would go with a KW 10, KW 8, KW 6, and then KB 5's out to the tip. That is if the foot isn't too wide for the guides closest to the tip. Which on that blank they probably won't be. But if so, you may need to throw in a couple of KTs. If you aren't going with the Torzites I'd use a 5. If you use the Torzite, a 4.5 will have an ID close to, or larger than a 5 in Alconite, and possibly SIC. Braid collects junk when fishing slop around here, and the larger ID of the 5s helps with that.

And for me personally. I like a stiff tip on a frog rod. Even if I am walking a frog. I think walking a frog is more about timing, than it is about the flexibility of the rod tip.

How much does the frog for a "frog rod" weigh? Weight, not shape or size, usually determines the best guide train - unless you must set the hook when your lure is draped in vegetation?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2021 11:07AM by Phil Ewanicki.