Frogging

[CTBassin860]

Maybe its strictly a confidence thing but I use a Abu Garcia Orra winch 5.4:1, 22 IPT for frogging where I see a lot of guys using higher speed reels with 29-32 IPT.Anyone else use the lower IPT over the burners?

[bigfruits]

I do not but if the lower IPT of your winch doesn't bother you, you are at an advantage in power to get the fish out of the vegetation.

[CTBassin860]

Just now, bigfruits said:

I do not but if the lower IPT of your winch doesn't bother you, you are at an advantage in power to get the fish out of the vegetation.

Thats exactly why I use it

[flyingmonkie]

I just upped my frog setup from a 6.4:1 to a 7.1:1.  I get such LOOOOOONNNGGGG casts with a frog, I figure the extra speed will help me cover water a little faster.

[BassinLou]

Depending on several factors, when it comes to frogging, higher reel ratios have more advantages than that of a very low ratio. I wouldn't advise using a lower ratio for frogging, you will be missing a good share of quality fish.  Just my .02

["hamma"]

20 minutes ago, BassinLou said:

Depending on several factors, when it comes to frogging, higher reel ratios have more advantages than that of a very low ratio. I wouldn't advise using a lower ratio for frogging, you will be missing a good share of quality fish.  Just my .02

Not to sound harsh or disrespectful, but i disagree with this train of thought.

 I've been froggin for many years and I started out with a "new" back then, 4:6 to 1 abu garcia round reel that was actually fast back then, and a snagless frog,..or a johnsons weedless spoon.

 Nowadays I have many fast reels and still prefer the slower 5:8 to 1 retrieve for froggin as the slower reels offer more power over speed, and you not only "need" that extra "umpf" to pull a pig out of a huge patch of pads. The slower retrieve will offer more hits as the bass have a longer time to seek out the source of sound they are about to target.

   With just over 5:1 there's still enough option of reeling a bit fast if you need to make another cast quickly, like say you saw a fish bust the surface closeby, or just noticed a log in the weeds etc.

 Im not trying to argue, or disrespect Bassinlou, just trying to kindly disagree

[CTBassin860]

I have absolutely no issue hooking up and getting them in with the slower reel.

[Jaderose]

I totally understand the idea behind using a more powerful "Slower" reel but I frog in some HEAVY stuff and I want those fish out of there FAST.  Getting them out of the slop is, to me, more of the job of the rod than the reel.  Once I get them up and out of the slop, I want those babies skiing into my boat.  PLUS, I lost a PB when she switched directions on me and came at me after pulling out my locked down drag for a ways.  Reel wasn't fast enough to take out the slack in time and she jumped and spit the hook.  That was with a 5.4:1.  Now I use a 7.1:1 and would like to go 9.

[BassinLou]

1 hour ago, MassBassin508 said:

I have absolutely no issue hooking up and getting them in with the slower reel.

 

I'm happy that reel ratio works for you. I can see on how in certain situations the 5 speed ratio will land fish. The majority of my frogging takes place in very thick vegetation from distances of over 100 ft. Due to the distance and the cover, my go to reel is an 8 speed. A 5 speed will not help me what so ever. If someone is frog fishing under those particular conditions my suggestion would always be the high speed reel.  

1 hour ago, BassinLou said:

Depending on several factors, when it comes to frogging, higher reel ratios have more advantages than that of a very low ratio. I wouldn't advise using a lower ratio for frogging, you will be missing a good share of quality fish.  Just my .02

 

From one experienced frogger to another we agree to disagree. I was just offering my insight to the OP based on his post. If a particular reel ratio get's the job done for the angler,  awesome. My experiences have led me to a different conclusion. 

[CTBassin860]

Just because I have success with that reel doesn't mean I'm not missing out on some fish.This is why I asked the question.Can't learn anything new if I don't ask.?

[BassinLou]

1 minute ago, MassBassin508 said:

Just because I have success with that reel doesn't mean I'm not missing out on some fish.This is why I asked the question.Can't learn anything new if I don't ask.?

 

You are 100% correct. We are all here to ask questions and learn new stuff.

[Angry John]

I use a 6.3 to 1 and it is still considered a middle of the road for speed.  I have had to give it my all on the handle just a few times to catch up but have never really had an issue.  I did buy a 7:1 zillion due to all of the rage of a faster reel and have it in the box still.  Each person likes different things and each situation calls for a little different technique.  I feel that people buy into to much hype and i would recommend a 7:1 as fast enough for most.  The world of tournament fishing has an entirely different set of rules and does not apply to the average angler.

[kickerfish1]

I used to use and still occasionally use a Citica 200 DSV. It is beyond heavy and pretty slow at 5:1. However it is very powerful and can really winch those bass out of the cover.

 

I also use a few Daiwa T3 reels for frogging mainly due to their extreme casting distance when fishing large weed beds when you need a bit more distance.

 

IMO a guy can get buy with about any reel for frogging though like anything else with time he might develop preferences. To me a faster gear ratio allows me more casts and also if I miss a fish or the fish misses the bait I can burn back really quickly and get it back out to the fish before it moves off.

 

So if I was picking an ideal frog reel it would likely have a high gear ratio, a solid frame, a great drag, and super casting distance. This next year I am going to try my Escence DC for frogging.

[Poolshark]

It shouldn't matter with 50+ lb braid and a 2x4. You can use a lower speed reel for all of your bass fishing if you'd like. I can. Id just have to reel faster. A good Frog setup is fairly stout with line that allows you to pressure the fish to get  them out of heavy cover. I like a faster reel to keep up with slack line 

[hunterPRO1]

it depends are you fising slop or walking a frog in open water,

 

if your in the slop id reccomend a 6.5:1 or less if in open water a 7.1:1

[S. Sass]

I guess I don't see how the reel speed being slower helps. I never use the reel itself to bring a big bass out of a ton of slop. I turn the fish and move the fish with the heavy rated rod. I use the reel to take up the slack as I reel down to get another pull. A low gear reel just takes a split second longer so its not a issue to me that should be a huge concern. A great rod would be more important keeping the fish hooked, turning the fish, and bringing it out of its cover. But this is just my opinion not saying I am right just a opinion. 

 

I just don't understand why anyone would try and crank on a little bitty reel, with little bitty gears, to try and move a fighting fish heavily covered in slop when you have all that leverage with the rod in your hands unless they are doing a torture test on their equipment.  

[Big Bait Fishing]

to me , i like a 7 or 8 speed reel for frogging , long casts across mats to open holes and other targets , i want to fish certain spots , so if i fish the frog past the spot , i want to reel in quick to cast back out there especially after a blow up or missed bite . i think any reel speed will get a fish out , but prefer a fast gear ratio to be able to keep get my bait back in the zone !!  

[soflabasser]

On 12/18/2016 at 0:06 PM, MassBassin508 said:

Maybe its strictly a confidence thing but I use a Abu Garcia Orra winch 5.4:1, 22 IPT for frogging where I see a lot of guys using higher speed reels with 29-32 IPT.Anyone else use the lower IPT over the burners?

Like most things in fishing, rod/reel selection is mostly a matter of personal preference. Fish with whatever frog setup makes you happy,since you will be fishing this setup and not someone else. With that said ,I only use spinning setups for my frog fishing and it works very well for me (I have caught many bass over 8 pounds with these spinning setups).Fish with the setup you truly feel comfortable with and you will be happier than fishing with a setup you don't like. 

 

8 hours ago, Poolshark said:

It shouldn't matter with 50+ lb braid and a 2x4. You can use a lower speed reel for all of your bass fishing if you'd like. I can. Id just have to reel faster. A good Frog setup is fairly stout with line that allows you to pressure the fish to get  them out of heavy cover. I like a faster action to keep up wit slack line 

I agree with you 100%.All my frogging setups are stout heavy action rods,I have absolutely no problems whatsoever reeling in a big bass from heavy aquatic vegetation. 

[Mike L]

14 hours ago, BassinLou said:

 

I'm happy that reel ratio works for you. I can see on how in certain situations the 5 speed ratio will land fish. The majority of my frogging takes place in very thick vegetation from distances of over 100 ft. Due to the distance and the cover, my go to reel is an 8 speed. A 5 speed will not help me what so ever. If someone is frog fishing under those particular conditions my suggestion would always be the high speed reel.  

 

From one experienced frogger to another we agree to disagree. I was just offering my insight to the OP based on his post. If a particular reel ratio get's the job done for the angler,  awesome. My experiences have led me to a different conclusion. 

 

Ditto,  

Tho I don't use an 8, I would never use anything less than a 7

 

 

Mike 

[12poundbass]

My approach to everything fishing is I go with what works best for me. That being said I'm open to trying and learning new equipment and techniques. Some would probably laugh at some of the setups I use for certain techniques but I works for me. Could I be missing out by my approach? Probably. Do I catch plenty of fish and enjoy fishing? Absolutely! Greg Hackney had a great article a month or to ago on Bassmaster about what pros do that we don't need to. In a nut shell if we did everything the pros do we'd change our lines every time we go out, change our props every couple months, have 3-4 12" units, haul around 30+ rods, and enough lures to start our own tackle shop! I'm assuming most of us can't afford to do that. I use what works for me, I have enough rods so I don't have to tie a different lure too much, have enough lures to make my wife wonder why, but it's kept simple, and most importantly I catch fish, have fun, and learn every time I go out.

[Yudo1]

90% of the time I'm frogging in my yak.  I prefer a faster reel because I need to get the bass up on the surface as quickly as possible and keep it on top.  If the fish digs down in the slop I'm reeling myself to the fish which is annoying and spooking every fishing on the way.  My favorite reel is an 8.0 exsence dc.  It absolutely bombs frogs, it's plenty powerful, feels like a tank and never backlashes. 

[hunterPRO1]

11 hours ago, S. Sass said:

I guess I don't see how the reel speed being slower helps. I never use the reel itself to bring a big bass out of a ton of slop. I turn the fish and move the fish with the heavy rated rod. I use the reel to take up the slack as I reel down to get another pull. A low gear reel just takes a split second longer so its not a issue to me that should be a huge concern. A great rod would be more important keeping the fish hooked, turning the fish, and bringing it out of its cover. But this is just my opinion not saying I am right just a opinion. 

 

I just don't understand why anyone would try and crank on a little bitty reel, with little bitty gears, to try and move a fighting fish heavily covered in slop when you have all that leverage with the rod in your hands unless they are doing a torture test on their equipment.  

slower gear ratio = more torque 

[WIGuide]

I used to use a 5.1:1 reel simply because I didn't have another reel to put on my frog rod. I caught fish, and generally landed the bigger fish ok. My problem was with the smaller fish the 14-17" range, you could get them up on top of the thick stuff, but you couldn't keep them moving fast enough. If you did keep them on past the edge of the cover, you were screwed if they started running at you. Since then, I've switched to a 7.1:1 reel and I land a lot more fish because of it. I have none of those issues anymore since switching. 

[S. Sass]

2 hours ago, hunterPRO1 said:

slower gear ratio = more torque 

I understand it has a gear ratio advantage for power. How much torque do you really gain? Has anyone ever measured it so it's comparable? 

[WPCfishing]

Good thread.. I'm big on toads. I use 

all Lews reels. 5,6,7 depending on conditions. 

The 5 works well in heavy cover when making accurate shorter casts, the 6 is good in open water and the 7 is my go to reel for big cast in heavy cover. 65 pound power pro works for me. The right rods make a huge difference in your hook up to miss ratio. In fact I think your rod is more important than your reel overall. Why? Because you can always make your way to a fish if needed.