Frog fishing is about as fun as bass fishing can get.
Dancing a topwater lure to entice an adrenaline-fuelled eat from a largemouth or smallmouth bass is incredibly exciting and is one thing you should try if you haven’t already.
Fishing with frogs is a bit different from usual, and if you want to do it properly, you’re going to need a particular rod, or are you?
Read on to find out if you really need a frog and if so what the best frog rod looks like.
The Best From The Review
Here are our top three choices from the lineup, each one in its own category.
This is so you can have a variety to choose from depending on your needs.
Top Pick
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
A rod with extra-fast action combined with the high power rating that will send a frog far and accurately, hook a fish, and stop it in its tracks.
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
The all-round best frog rod for me is the Dobyns Fury. This frog rod is well priced for the quality and comes with some of the best specs for frogging.
The high action and power ratings make it a stick that’ll ensure a fish goes nowhere once hooked up, while the build quality ensures its strength and durability over time.
Best Value
Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
You can cast for hours on end without feeling that arm ache build up throughout the day, and the key is in their overall build of the rod.
Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
If you’re on a budget, I think the ideal frog rod is the Abu Veritas.
This rod has a fast action, is lightweight, and has enough power and length for some incredibly effective frogging.
The rod’s build quality is also spot on and you can expect to fish with this affordable rod for years to come.
Editor’s Choice
Dobyns Champion Series Casting Rod
The extra-fast action and weighty power combined with the ideal rod length make it an excellent rod choice.
Dobyns Champion Series Casting Rod
The best frog rod in my opinion, is the Dobyns Champion.
While it is the most expensive, it’s also the best choice if you want a rod that will stop a trophy fish from getting away.
The stiffness and overall power are no match for bass, and you’ll be able to guide any sized fish away from any cover.
Our Best Frog Rods
Here are all the top rods we reviewed…
Lew’s Speed Stick TP-1 IM8 Casting Rod
Able to handle a bass ducking for heavy cover but also give your arm a break so you can cast all day without any aches and pains.
Lew’s Speed Stick TP-1 IM8 Casting Rod
Lew’s are known for making some great fishing rods and their key to success has been finding the balance between quality and affordability.
Lew’s Speed Stick casting rod is one of their best and most popular rods and comes in a range of models one of which is ideal for frogging.
Build
The IM8 graphite blanks used to make the Speed Stick are tough and durable while still being relatively light.
You’ll find a rounded butt end at the bottom of the rod which makes it easier to hold and much more comfortable than similar rods when you’re trying to dig in deep.
They’ll be able to handle a bass ducking for cover but also give your arm a break so you can cast all day without any aches and pains.
Reel Seat & Guide
The Speed Stick features Lew’s exclusive skeletal graphite reel seat which keeps your reel in place, resists any kind of corrosion, and makes casting comfortable and easy.
It also comes with a microwave guide system.
The guides have a small diameter and are excellent for reducing any wind knots and making your casting better.
Casting
This rod performs excellently, and you’ll notice instantly how far, and accurate your casts are when you first pick it up.
Ideal for fishing with frogs where pinpoint accuracy is key to your success.
I think the model chosen below has the ideal specs for frog fishing.
The power, action, and length all stack up to create a fishing rod that will cast and work a frog well, has the backbone to set the hook, as well as keep the big fish from snagging you.
Guide Inserts
One negative to this fishing rod is that the guide inserts can pop out, and the rod tip can snap on occasion.
These incidents are rare though, and shouldn’t put you off, most people who buy the Speed Stik love it.
Specs
- Model: TP-170
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Length: 7 ft
- Line: 12-25 lbs
- Lure Weight: ¼ – ⅞ oz.
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Light but durable rod for all-day casting
- Has some good backbone to stop bass going for cover
- Casts far and with great accuracy
- Microwave guide system reduces tangles
- Can handle frogging fishing thanks to the awesome specs
Cons
- Guide inserts can pop out on rare occasions
- Be gentle with it as the tip can snap in rare cases
St Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod
The result is an immaculately balanced rod with a smooth action, extra strength, and sensitivity.
St Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod
St Croix makes one awesome fishing rod, and their Mojo series was so good that it branched out into almost every sort of fishing.
The Mojo bass fishing rod comes in a range of power, actions, and lengths.
After taking a look at their range, I think the model chosen below is the best for frog fishing.
Build
Made with SCII graphite blanks, the Mojo is strong, durable, light, and has enough backbone to cast a heavy frog, work it well, and pin any fish that tries to eat it.
The rod is built with integrated poly curve tooling technology that irons out any transitional points.
The result is an immaculately balanced rod with a smooth action, extra strength, and sensitivity.
Action
This heavy fast action fishing rod has all the features you need for some successful frogging.
It casts long and accurately, the guides and seat are top-notch, and it’s not going anywhere soon thanks to its awesome build quality.
Warrant
The one downside to this rod is that it’s quite expensive compared to some others.
But, you are getting what you pay for in this case, with the added bonus of a great 5-year warranty with superstar service.
Specs
- Model: MJC71MHF
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Length: 7’1”
- Line: 12-20 lbs
- Lure Weight: ⅜ – 1 oz.
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Made from quality graphite for a durable, light, more powerful fishing rod
- Built with special techniques to give great action
- Casts especially well long and accurately
- Guides and handle are excellent
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Sensitive for all bites with enough backbone to set the hook
Cons
- It’s a little expensive
Top Pick
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
A rod with extra-fast action combined with the high power rating that will send a frog far and accurately, hook a fish, and stop it in its tracks.
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
Dobyns create intense brand loyalty more than most manufacturers, which comes down to their rods’ effect on the people who buy them; clearly, it’s quite positive.
They tend to create rods for specific needs and hit the nail on the head often.
Price and Build
The Fury series is one of their more affordable options. All the rods are built using a high modulus graphite blank wrapped in kevlar for extra strength and durability. The kevlar wrap does increase the weight a bit, but it’s hardly noticeable.
Made for Large Lures
The model chosen below is designed specifically for large lures and topwater fishing, and is ideal for frogging.
The extra-fast action combined with the high power rating makes a rod that will send a frog far and accurately, hook a fish, and stop it in its tracks.
Exactly what froging is all about.
Action
The extra-fast action also assists in helping you to swim the frog correctly.
When used with a braided line, the stiff tip will transfer every twitch you make to your frog, so you can fish it as well as possible.
The one thing about this fishing rod you need to be aware of is that the tip is a little delicate. When fighting a fish and putting the heat on, you should treat it with care.
Specs
- Model: FR 735C
- Power: Heavy
- Length: 7’3”
- Line: 12-25 lbs
- Lure Weight: 0.25 – 1.5 oz.
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Made specifically for frog fishing
- Light for tireless all-day casting
- Graphite blank is tough, durable and will last
- Sensitive for all bites with enough gusto to set the hook well
- Tough to handle weeds and the run of bass
Cons
- A little heavier than others
- The tip is a bit delicate
Editor’s Choice
Dobyns Champion Series Casting Rod
The extra-fast action and weighty power combined with the ideal rod length make it an excellent rod choice.
Dobyns Champion Series Casting Rod
The Dobyns Champion Series rod takes things to a new level from the Fury, both in price and quality.
Each little piece of the Champion series is a little better than the Fury, hence the extra cost.
At least you are paying for what you get with this rod.
Build
Made from a higher modulus graphite blank than the Fury rod, the Champion is also wrapped in kevlar for extra strength and durability.
The blank used makes it just that little bit stronger and more durable than the Fury.
Reel Seat and Guide
The Champion also features a graphite seat for your reel, and Zero Tangle Kign guides with SIC inserts to reduce any wind knots or tangles on the water.
It’s these little additions that make the difference.
Action
The heavy action rod chosen below comes with all the right specs for a frog rod.
The extra-fast action and weighty power combined with the ideal length of the rod make it an excellent rod choice.
Casting
It casts excellently, has all the things you need to fish a frog well, and once you hook up, you’ll be in control of the fight from the get-go.
As always, there is one thing to think about and that is how stiff the rod is due to its heavy action.
While this is one of the best for stopping fish, it can be hard for inexperienced anglers to cast with.
Specs
- Model: 736C7’3"H-EX
- Power: Heavy
- Length: 7’ 3”
- Line: 15-30 lbs
- Lure Weight: ⅜ – 2 oz.
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Specially made as a frogging rod
- Tough and durable thanks to the kevlar wrapped graphite blank
- Comfortable premium cork handle and excellent reel seat frog rods
- Casts exceptionally well
- Has a lot of backbone to control any bass ducking for cover
Cons
- A bit rigid and stiff for some
- A tad expensive compared to others but the quality is there
Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
You can cast for hours on end without feeling that arm ache build up throughout the day, and the key is in their overall build of the rod.
Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Rod
Abu Garcia, where would a rod review be without them featuring.
Abu has been around the block, and they make some excellent fishing gear.
Their Veritas rod is one of their best and most popular rods around.
Weight
The best thing about this rod is how light it is.
You can cast for hours on end without feeling that arm ache build up throughout the day, and the key is in their overall build of the rod.
Build
The rod blank made from 30-ton graphite is a sublayer of armor, so it’s still tough and durable while being light.
But, this isn’t the reason why the rod is lightweight; it actually comes down to the guides and seat used.
Guides and Reel Seat
Made from titanium alloy guides, much lighter than stainless steel, and the seat is their own up-locking ratcheting seat that requires less material than a normal one.
The rod is easy to use and casts excellently thanks to the ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) guide train which gives you a big casting distance with some of your lighter lures.
ROCS Guide
This system ensures maximum distance thanks to reduced friction.
You’ll be able to put your frog wherever you want it to be, while the power and fast action of the rod mean you fish your frog well and hook up without any worry.
The one concern I have about this rod is that it is a little bendy in certain scenarios. For example, when trying to stop a huge bass heading for deep cover, you may risk losing the battle. Otherwise, it’s one awesome fast action rod for frogging.
Specs
- Model: TSC73-6
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Length: 7’3”
- Line: 12-20 lbs
- Lure Weight: ¼ – 1 oz.
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Comes with very durable titanium guides
- The rod is really light and easy to cast with
- The reel seat is super reliable and holds the reel securely
- ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) Guide train for maximized casting distance with some of your lightweight lures
- The rod blank is made with 30-ton graphite with sublayer armor for extra strength and durability
- Very affordable for the quality
Cons
- A little too bend for some situations
What Is Frogging/Frog Fishing?
Frog fishing is precisely what it sounds like. You fish with frogs, artificial frogs like hollow body frogs during summertime when frogs spawn.
Weed beds and groups of lily pads provide great cover for bass and are also a natural hide habitat of frogs.
You’ll cast around lily pads and weeds to tempt a lurking fish to eat.
Frog fishing is primarily used in topwater bass fishing.
Topwater frog fishing uses a heavy braid and swim it through the water around weeds and structure to get explosive bass strikes.
Seeing a bass dart out of its heavy cover like lily pads and weeds to come and eat a topwater frog is addictive and is part of what has inspired the creation of the best frogging rods to catch bass.
When topwater fishing, once hooked, you use the heavy action of frog rods and the tough heavy braid to stop the bass going for heavy cover like heading into a large weed bed.
What Is A Frog Rod?
Ever heard of a frog rod?
The first time I heard of a frog rod it amazed me how much manufacturers have tailored rods for specific uses.
In this case, designing a fishing rod specifically for fishing with artificial frogs when bass fishing.
Type of Rod
Frogging rods are casting rods designed for use with a baitcasting reel.
Can I use my spinning rod as a frog rod? To answer that question, you need to know what separates a spinning rod from a casting rod, and you can find the answer to that question here.
A good frog rod will be able to cast far and accurately, have a medium-heavy to heavy power rating, with fast heavy action or extra fast action, and be around 7 foot 3 inches long heavy rod.
Specs
The powerful fishing rod is enough to cast these heavy frog lures, get them through weed, and have enough backbone to set the hook into the bass’s tough mouth when they explode on the lure.
Frogging rods are also long enough to cast and set the hook well while being short enough to work the lure effectively.
Is A Frog Rod Really Necessary?
No, if you don’t mind fishing your frog lure not quite as well as you could, then you can get away with using your regular bass fishing rod or bass rod and reel combo.
But you might struggle.
It’s hard casting heavier baits properly with the wrong rod and even harder to get your lure to swim well enough to entice a bite.
Why?
Without the heavy power rating and heavy fast action of frog rods, you will have difficulty getting any results from frog fishing.
You probably won’t get the distance you need on your cast, the frog may not swim right, and you could have a hard time keeping fish out of heavy cover once hooked.
In case you need more options, you can get the best baitcaster combo with this guide.
What Makes A Good Frog Rod?
Rod Weight
Frog fishing is quite an intense form of bass fishing.
Constantly casting a heavy topwater lure when fishing for bass all day is tiring, and as much as you need your frogging rod to be powerful, it also shouldn’t give you an arm ache.
Light but Powerful
The best frogging rod will give you all the strength and all the power you need while being light enough for a fatigue-less day of casting.
This will let you focus on the frog fishing at hand instead of withering in those golden hours at sunset when fish tend to turn on.
Rod Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a frog rod should not be a major concern.
When a bass eats frogs, you know about it.
Hard To Miss
There is a huge surface explosion.
So you’re not going to miss a bite and therefore don’t need a sensitive frog rod tip to tell you about it. What you do need to have, in the moment, is some composure to set the hook when you see your frogs being mangled by a hungry fish.
Rod Power
The power rating of a frog rod denotes it’s thickness, toughness, and therefore lifting power.
When frog fishing, you’ll be fishing frogs around all sorts of snags and once a fish eats, you’re going to have to stop it getting back into heavy cover.
To do this, your frogging rod is going to need to have a heavy-medium to a heavy power rod.
This will give your rod the backbone to stop a fish from tangling you up.
Rod Action
Rod action describes where along the rod it will bend when put under pressure.
Slow action rods bend at the butt, medium in the middle, and fast action rods near the tip.
NOTE
Your rod’s action affects three things; casting, hook set, and the action of your rod tip.
Ideal Action
When frog fishing you want fishing rods that have a fast or extra fast action.
This will give you the right set up for casting far and accurately, enough backbone to set the hook, stop the fish going for heavy cover, and have enough tip action to work frogs well.
Rod Length
The length of the rod plays an important part in all types of fishing.
Fishing rods made for using frogs should be long enough to give you the casting distance you need, whilst giving you enough leverage to move bass away from heavy cover.
But, a longer rod that is too long is a bit unresponsive and the best frog rods will be short enough to let you work all your frogs well.
Fishing Line
All rods come with a line rating which in this case you’re going to have to ignore.
The best fishing line to use when frogging is strong braid around the 50-80lb mark.
NOTE
Braid as a fishing line has very minimal stretch and gives you the advantage of stopping a fish going where it wants to, especially when it is so strong.
Frogging Out
Here is a quick look at the top three best frog rod picks…
Best Value
If you’re looking for a great value best frog rod that’ll get the job done and last a long time, then the Abu Garcia Veritas is the one to go for.
Light, easy to use and durable, you’ll enjoy countless days of bass fishing with this rod for a very affordable price.
Top Pick
If you don’t mind spending a bit more for some extra features and quality, then the Dobyns Fury is your best bet.
Durable and tough rod with some extra fish stopping strength, this rod is a step up from the Veritas without much extra expense.
Editor’s Choice
Calling all trophy hunters. If that sounds like you, grab the Dobyns Champion.
When you hook a fish of a lifetime, this is the rod that’ll have your back.
It might be a bit stiff for some, but it’s going to make life easy when stopping a big fish from breaking you off on a snag.
Thanks For Reading
I hope you find this best frog rod review helpful. If you have done frog fishing why not drop a comment below and share your frog fishing technique.
If you’re looking for more rod options for catching bass, check out this best swimbait rods review.
Please don’t hesitate to share this with your fishing friends who are new to frog fishing or to topwater frog anglers you may know looking for the best frogging rods, and don’t forget to check out my other reviews and articles about fishing gears and fishing guides.
