If you’re a beginner, you might have only recently heard the term ‘frogging’. Frogging is a traditional style of fishing where an artificial frog is used to bait the really big fish like bass.
Some anglers who love fishing in lakes have a particular fondness for frogging, and many anglers love this method.
To master the frogging technique, you need to have rigs that have features like a heavy rod or special fast action. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the choice that’s available at the moment, then don’t panic this guide will do all the hard work for you.
We’ll take you through our picks for the top 5 frog rods currently on the market, show you some of the features to look out for and answer a few of your questions.
Top 5 Best Frog Rods
OUR TOP PICK
Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 735C Casting Rod
EDITORS CHOICE
Ardent Denny Brauer Pro Series Baitcasting Rods
BEST VALUE
St.Croix Mojo Bass
OUR TOP PICK
Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 735C Casting Rod
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Dobyns is known for making premium, high-quality rods used by professional anglers, and as this rod is very affordable for the enthusiastic amateur so you can have it now too. Measuring in at just over 7 feet this rod is very fast and accurate.
If you’re wanting something that’s a manageable length but doesn’t sacrifice performance than this could be the right choice for you. There are very few rods that can match the overall design and quality of a rod-like this and any angler would love to have it in their arsenal.
The handle on this rod is very comfortable, and Dobyns has worked hard to engineer it so you can find and maintain a good grip easily. The middle section is thinner than the rest of the handle, and it’s been designed to stop your hand from slipping around. The bottom is thicker and it’s easy to get good control over the rod.
The grips of the top section of the handlebar are made from cork, which gives the poles a good grip and makes it lightweight. The rod has finger-shaped cut-outs that remove a lot of the work from getting the fish out of the water quickly and efficiently.
You’ll find that you’re throwing your lures a little bit further thanks to the robust backbone, which gives this rod more than enough power to fight even the biggest fish. The rod should be capable of handling anything up to 12-25lb which most anglers will find more than enough to be getting on with. You might struggle with the lighter baits because of the stiffness of the rod, but most anglers won't find this too much of a problem.
If you’re looking for a great powerful rod that’s been built to handle even the toughest fish but isn’t going to break the bank then this could be the rod for you. This rod is professionally built, from high-quality materials, and is designed to perform at an incredibly high level.
If you’re thinking about competing in frog fishing tournaments than this rod could definitely be an asset for you.
Pros
- Great competition rod
- Very fast and accurate
- Extremely comfortable handle that gives you an excellent grip
- Affordable and high performance
- Manageable length, a good rod for intermediates ready to compete
Cons
- A bit stiffer than some of the other options available
- 7'3" Mag Heavy Power Ex Fast Action Casting Rod
- 12-25 lb. Test
- 1/4-1 1/2 oz. Lure weight
- Recommended for frogs, pitchin', flippin', small swimbaits
EDITORS CHOICE
Ardent Denny Brauer Pro Series Baitcasting Rods
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Denny Brauer has over 40 years of experience in bass fishing, so it’s no wonder that this medium-heavy action rod is innovative and comfortable with his eyes on the design.
This rod is a great option for anglers at all levels, this is a fun rod that provides a professional level of performance.
Ardent makes some great rods and this is no exception, the rod has a high-quality build with IM8 blanks with a fuji aluminum line guide the combination of which makes the lines run incredibly smoothly. The design of the rod reduces the likelihood of your line tangling when you release it.
The medium-heavy action means you have incredible control over the rods. The design makes it easy to cast your frogs on whatever terrain or location you want to, and the poles handle the frog excellently. The action poles are very sensitive which easily allows you to feel any nibbles.
The cork handles are very comfortable and can help stop you from getting tired in your hands or wrists which can help you fish for longer. The poles have comfortable grips, and your finger is very comfortable thanks to the finger cut-outs.
The poles give you a comfortable and firm grip that means you mean you can really get a hold as you pull.
If you love to fish bass than this is an excellent frog rod for you. It’s made from excellent quality materials and is comfortable enough to allow you to fish for long periods. This is a good rod for all levels of ability and is excellent value for the quality of the rod. Any angler would be happy to have this rod in their arsenal.
Pros
- Very manageable length
- The line guide is made from high-quality materials, perfect for frog fishing
- Very comfortable ad easy to use
- A good rod for beginners and more advanced anglers
- Perfect for throwing short distances
Cons
- Great at what it does but not the most versatile
- Best used with spinnerbait fishing methods; comes with a 3 year limited warranty
- A medium/heavy action rod; 7 feet 2 inches long
- One piece construction from lightweight IM-8 graphite for superior durability
- Equipped with high quality Fuji aluminum oxide line guides
- Features cork split grips to reduce hand fatigue for all-day comfort on the water
BEST VALUE
St.Croix Mojo Bass
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St Croix is known for making excellent quality rods that are a pleasure to use, and this model is no different. If you’re a weekend angular looking for something that’s good quality and sturdy enough to last you a long time, then you may be in luck with this rod.
This rod is light and easy to use and it’s a favorite among many anglers because of these features. The rod is very sensitive and it’s an excellent rod for catching bass, partially because of this sensitivity.
This is a versatile rod that is suitable for jigging, and a variety of different baits. If you want something that’ll deliver whatever you need it to that this is a good option for you.
St Croix doesn’t like to compromise when it comes to their rods and this one is a remarkable medium action rod with a lot of backbone that combines size, action, and power to consistently perform in all sorts of conditions and with a variety of techniques.
This rod has enough power to take on the biggest fish and it’s suitable in saltwater, backwater, or lakes, making it an excellent rod to use on all sorts of adventures. This is a great rod that will reliably perform for a great many years.
St Croix has used high-quality materials on this model, and it shows in the durability of the rod thanks to features like the aluminum-oxide rings. The rod is light enough for your hands and wrists not to grow tired so you can fish all day without worry about cramp or stress in your wrist.
Pros
- Durable and efficient
- Lightweight and easy on the hands and wrists
- Versatile and suitable for a variety of techniques
- Can perform in many locations
- Very sensitive and a great bass rod
Cons
- Needs care and maintenance to continue to perform without the risk of serious damage
- Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) tooling technology
- Premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite
- Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with slim, strong aluminum-oxide rings and black frames
- Fuji ECS reel seat with black hood
- Technique-specific bass series designed for superior performance
RUNNER UP
Berkley E-Motion Casting Rod
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If you’re not certain that frog fishing is for you and you don’t want to break the bank buying a rod you don’t end up using, then this could be a solution.
This is a rod that performs well but is very affordable, could end up lasting you a long time if you do decide to stick with frog fishing, and if you’re a beginner or looking to experiment with your technique then this could be a good rod to try.
The rod is available in multiple sizes which makes it a good option if you’re not married to your technique or are looking to try out something a bit different. This rod is a bit stiff but this adds to the overall sensitivity, it’s also lightweight but strong enough to catch some pretty sizeable fish.
The rod has a great amount of backbone and is built from a blend of 30 and 24-ton graphite which makes it strong and lightweight.
The rod is suitable for a variety of different skill sets, but anglers who are looking to experiment with their technique or beginners who want to learn are probably going to get the most out of it. This is a well-made rod with a great feeling that can help you catch a variety of fish in a wide range of sizes.
Pros
- High value considering the quality of the design and materials
- A great option for beginners or anglers wanting to experiment with technique
- Well-made and good quality materials
- Comes in a range of sizes
- Could last a significant period of time- a good rod for beginners to grow on
Cons
- A bit stiff
RUNNER UP
Lew's Speed Stick TP-1 IM8 Casting Rod
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If you want accuracy and precision from your rod then this is one well worth taking a look at. This lightweight rod performs well and is built from high-quality materials and offers great control.
The rod is designed to severely reduce wind knots and to improve casting distance. If you prefer to pack light on fishing trips than this perfect due to the inclusion of SoftTouch graphite which reduces the weight of the rod down. The rod is easy to use and comfortable
This is an excellent quality rod with great backbone and sensitivity. The rod is more than capable of feeling even the lightest nibble but has the power to help you hook some very big fish. The rod is lightweight enough to remove some of the stress from your wrists and hands so you can fish comfortably for long periods.
If you’re looking for a good quality rod that’ll help you catch some whoppers but is easy and fun to use than this could just what you want.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Made from good quality materials
- Easy to control and very accurate
- Sensitive to help you feel light bites
- More than enough power to catch the bigger fish
Cons
- Not the best option for beginners
- casting-rods, producttype-rods, prop65, topfishing
Best Frog Rods Buying Guide
Hopefully, you now feel like you have a bit more of a handle on what sort of frog rods are out there, and the sort of rod that might suit you and your style. But you might still be feeling a little confused about frog rods in general and would like to know a bit more about what features to look out for before making your decision.
This section will show you the most important things to consider when looking for your frog rod, and the kind of thing to look out for to help you make your decision.
Most frog rods are around 6-foot-long, and as the name suggests have an artificial frog on the end to lure fish. There is a wide variety of frog rods and many anglers love the versatility of the technique, if you’re just beginning to look into frog fishing than the most important thing to know is that typically the longer the rod the heavier lure you can cast over long distances.
As with all fishing you have to keep in mind the location and choose your rod accordingly but generally, a long rod is a good start.
Length
As we just mentioned length is the biggie when it comes to the best frog rods. The longer your rod is the easier it is to launch your lure and longer rods tend to make hook-ups easier and more efficiently than shorter ones. Many anglers use longer rods when they want to catch the biggest fish, and it’s certainly a factor worth considering when making your choice.
If you’re a beginner though than you should keep in mind that longer rods can be harder to manage, and if you’re just starting out sticking with a rod around 6 foot in length is a better method to master the technique.
Action
The action of your rod is a very important factor, you need to be able to hook the big fish even if they try to get under cover after they’ve been lured in by the bait frog. You need a rod that’s capable of handling the larger fish and this is why most anglers choose frog rods with a moderate fast action.
A fast action rod can also offer great sensitivity which can allow you to better feel when you have a bite even if it’s very light. This can help you catch fish you’d never have thought possible, so it’s an important feature to take into account when looking at frog rods.
Power
For a big fish, you need a rod with a lot of power behind it, so you need to really think about what size fish you’re trying to catch and what your rod needs to do to be able to help you. You should also think about the area that you’re fishing in and consider the fish’s ability to fight you off. Your rod needs to have the power to bring the big one’s home, so sticking with a rod with a heavy power rating is a good way to give yourself a boost.
Make sure that you have the experience to handle your rod. Making sure you can handle the power rating is a good way to get the most out of your rod.
Best Frog Rods - FAQ's
Can you fish a frog on a spinning reel?
You can but it’s not the best option. A baitcaster is usually a better fit because a spinning reel won’t be able to give you the control you need.
What color frog should I use?
If you’re fishing in muddy water or on sunny days with clear water than a dark frog or a black one will give you the best results. If you’re fishing clear water or stained than going for a white frog or a chartreuse one fi your best bet