Maybe I should divide this into two posts but here it goes.

1. Troubleshooting- I had the pleasure of fishing a nice little lake in East Texas last week, although I had some success I think I missed some bites due to gear issues. I was throwing mostly soft plastic baits like a senko or trick worms, either Texas Rig weightless, or with a 1/16 oz worm weight on a 3/0 worm hook. The rod I used was a medium heavy fast tip open spinner combo by Shimano. I had it spooled with 10 lb. mono. I think the line may have been the problem. I would throw the worm, and it would sink slowly, but I could NOT tighten the line as the bait fell. It seemed the line was too buoyant or something. I'd reel in slowly to try and tighten the line so I could feel any bites as it fell, but the line would just pull the bait in closer and then loosen up again. When I tried to just get the line tight enough to detect bites, it would move the bait and go slack again. I just dragged the bait across the bottom slowly, it was tight and I could feel the bottom as I drug, but when I would pause the motion, the line would go slack, so slack that if a fish bit, I wouldn't know it. When I tried "popping" the worm the line would go slack and just stay that way. Trying to reel in the slack so I could feel bites just moved the bait and the line would slack again. Maybe the line was too heavy or the wrong kind?

2. Frog Advice- Sort of similar issue, I'd like advice on a frog setup, it seems like a frog setup and a worm setup are actually quite similar if the internet is to be believed. A 7 foot or so medium heavy rod with fast action, a fast reel 7.5:1 to 8:1 ratio, and 30-50 lb braid Is that accurate? If so it seems I already have a pretty good frog setup just need switch to braid instead of mono. Is it feasible to use braid for Texas rig worm fishing? Is line visibility an issue? Maybe a flouro leader or something when I want to use it fro worm fishing?

I am trying to pare down the rods I take on these quick trips often we are in a car and there's just not room to haul more than 3 maybe 4 rods (an we love catfishing too). So if I can get a rod for froggin and worm fishing that'd be great. Anyway, I hope my questions make sense (I could show you easier than tell you) but you all are fishers and probably know exactly what I am talking about. I look forward to any advice, and thanks!

So, on the spinning rod, put yellow 15lb braided line and then a 10-12lb fluorocarbon leader. The yellow line is to help you visually detect a bite if your line starts swimming off. You will need about a 7ft leader. Learn to tie the alberto knot to combine the braid and leader.

Braided line will also prevent line twist. Almost no pro will use mono/fluoro on a spinning setup for their main line unless they are fishing ultra finesse down to 4-6lb test.


For the frog setup, anything over 7:1 is an ideal gear ratio. For the rod, a 7ft 2in to 7ft 4in length in a medium heavy or heavy is desired. I prefer the heavy. My dad and I both use the same setup and I can think of a 7lb and 8lb bass we would not have landed last year without the heavy. This rod can also double as a punching rod when punching mats.

I hope this helps.

Pretty much what HMack said above. Fishing weightless plastics with a spinning rod is best done with a high-vis line, and getting used to watching it closely. Most of my weightless plastic catches involve seeing the line move just as much as feeling it.
I'm useless with a frog but I have a froggin stick, heavy 7'6" with 65lb braid. I just don't get bites with it really. But it doubles well as a heavy texas rig setup, the line vis isn't an issue if you're using it in heavy cover. If it worries you a short 1-2' leader of 20# big game adds some nice shock absorbance, easier snapoff, and a small amount of stealth

judging from the responses (and thank you both) I'm thinking a Medium heavy / Fast tip rod with a 7:5-ish or so baitcaster and some 50 lb braid might work for both frog fishing AND soft plastics. Does that sound right? As a bank fisher that would be ideal to carry less rods around.

I wouldn't throw the Senko with a baitcaster on Braid. They're talking about your spinning setup with braid mainline and a leader of some sort. Pick up some 12# Flouro and spool up the baitcast or leadersetup for your Senko that way. You get the line sink and tighten under water. You can still visibly see the jump when it is picked up or swimming off.

I fish my weightless Senko's on 12- 15 fluorocarbon. Check line frequently if I'm around brush.

I fish weightless senkos and flukes on a 7'2 medium heavy baitcaster with 10 lb Sunline Sniper Fluoro. I'll often tie on a drop shot with this same set up. It's dynamite.

Similar...but with 12lb Sunline Sniper. I break off too many using 10 in the trees in Roberts.

I use 14# because the cedar brush is so thick out here in West Texas

You can feel the line before you see the line move if you have the line draped on your pointer finger.

Get you a Dobyns 683 rod for wacky rigging the senko type bait and a Dobyns 684 for Tx. rigging a weightless senko type bait with 15# test fluorocarbon line and your issues will be over.
Its that simple.