Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

looking for a sub 250 USD reel for for frogging and pitching. I want to run heavier braid on the reel.

Requirements are:

* Sturdy
* Light (sub 8oz)
* Casting ability with braid
* bonus: salt water safe
* very fast gear ratio
* Left hand retrieve
* Cost under 250 


Possible candidates:

* Lew's BB-1 Pro Series

* Daiwa Tatula SV TWS

 

* Daiwa SV Casting Reel 103XSL

* Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R

* Daiwa Tatula Casting
 

Thanks all.

Cheers,
Seb.

[Finnz922]

Sv103. Never look back

[freelancer27]

1 minute ago, Finnz922 said:

Sv103. Never look back

How is the reel with lighter lures (popper) with heavy braid? Any experience?

[CTBassin860]

Not sure if its SW safe but the Tatula CT is an amazing pitching/frogging reel. The 7.3:1 is what i use.

[Finnz922]

38 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

How is the reel with lighter lures (popper) with heavy braid? Any experience?

Popping frogs? If that is what you meant, it's just fine. One of my go-to  baits is a Spro Poppin' Frog. if you meant a popper like a Pop-R or G-Splash, I don't use braid for those and wouldn't. Not for me. I like mono for that style of baits.

 

I throw the Spro Jr. Frogs and t-rigs down to 1/8oz Tungsten + hook/plastic, Senko's, and 1/4oz jigs. I have no issues with the reel handling those. Of course your rod plays a big role in casting light baits also. I like an IROD 733, 744, 754, and 764. I only own 1 SV103XS and it is now my favorite reel.

 

Currently my lineup consists of 1 SV103XS, 5 OG Zillions, 4 Tat CT's, 1 Tat SV, 2 Fuego CT's, and 2 Alphas w/ aftermarket SV spools. I just unloaded 3 Pixies and have owned the Zillion SV, SV105, and OG Steez. The SV103XS is by far my favorite out of all the reels. The Zillion SV was ok, but I'm partial to the OG body style. The SV105 just wasn't my thing, the after market SV spools for the Alphas are much better IMO. As for the Steez, I unloaded it for a mint JDM Zillion. Wish I would have kept the Steez and bought an SV spool for it. Oh well. 

[hawgenvy]

If you want something light weight and truly salt water safe, check out the specs on the new Lew's Custom Inshore reel. Only 6.6 oz and 7.5:1. Aluminum frame. Drag up to 20 lbs, which is practically unheard of in a low profile reel. Sounds ideal for your needs, unless you don't like the white and blue look. Only $199, but not avail till Sept 28 on TW.

 

I wouldn't mind trying out that reel by pulling a huge snook out of wood pilings on #65 braid!

[freelancer27]

16 minutes ago, hawgenvy said:

If you want something light weight and truly salt water safe, check out the specs on the new Lew's Custom Inshore reel. Only 6.6 oz and 7.5:1. Aluminum frame. Drag up to 20 lbs, which is practically unheard of in a low profile reel. Sounds ideal for your needs, unless you don't like the white and blue look. Only $199, but not avail till Sept 28 on TW.

 

I wouldn't mind trying out that reel by pulling a huge snook out of wood pilings on #65 braid!

Nice reel. Though I need a lefty, also I am not sure how well the line guide works for strong braid. I made the experience that a smaller opening has a negative effect here.

[Big-Bass]

SV103!

[DomQ]

Quantum smoke speed freak!

 

8.1:1 gear ratio

35 IPT

170 yards of 30lb braid

And here's the kicker

25LB of drag!!! 

 

The reel is a monster, I have the 8.1:1 and the 6.3:1 and they are butter smooth, feels very solid and this reel can out cast anything I've ever picked up and tossed, beat my curado and citica, tatula type r, tatula HD, Lews bb1 pro, daiwa costal. It is definitely something to consider and its at a great price point 

 

[fishnkamp]

My reel for throwing SK Popping Perch and all my frogs is a Daiwa Tatula Type R 8-1 lefty. It works great.

The reel on my rod I throw weightless Stanley Ribbits ( a standard toad with just a hook) is a Tatula CT. It is a 7.3-1 lefty, it works awesome.  I can skip with fairly well ( don't read anything into the reels operation, I am not the worlds best skipper LOL)

 

I fish on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries often and that is salt/tidal water.  All of my Diawas have held up fine. I guess if you mean you are going salt water fishing for snook or something perhaps look at a Daiwa Coastal 200 reel.

[Chris at Tech]

Third vote for the sv103

[david in va]

36 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said:

Third vote for the sv103

make that 4

[Dtrombly]

What about the Lews Super Duty?

[freelancer27]

Thanks all,

I am wondering if the SV103 is salt proof? I am also eying on the Daiwa Zillion HD that can be had for 250USD online.

My applications are:

* Line: Braid 30 - 65 # 

* Lures: frogs 1/4 - 1/2 oz, 3/4 buzzbaits, 1.5 oz weighted plastics for flipping, up to 1oz jigs

Thanks all.

[38 Super Fan]

I was kind of thinking Super Duty too, not sure about the salt resistance though.

 

I just bought a SV103 and I like it pretty well so far, but I'm not sure it would be my choice for punching 1.5oz weights, or throwing 1oz jigs.  

[fishballer06]

I'm not sure why the new Curado K isn't on this list... but the SV103 is a pretty good reel as well. I use mine for flipping and it does a great job. 

[Jeff H]

8 hours ago, 38 Super Fan said:

I was kind of thinking Super Duty too, not sure about the salt resistance though.

 

I just bought a SV103 and I like it pretty well so far, but I'm not sure it would be my choice for punching 1.5oz weights, or throwing 1oz jigs.  

Why not? This is a free floater which would be best for high load situations IMO. It's an OG Zillion with an SV spool. Pretty solid reel

[38 Super Fan]

1 hour ago, Jeff H said:

Why not? This is a free floater which would be best for high load situations IMO. It's an OG Zillion with an SV spool. Pretty solid reel

I'm not saying the SV103 couldn't get the job done, I'd just personally reach for one of my Super Duty reels for punching 1.5 oz weights, or throwing 1oz jigs. That's right in the Super Duty's wheelhouse.

[freelancer27]

11 hours ago, 38 Super Fan said:

I was kind of thinking Super Duty too, not sure about the salt resistance though.

 

I just bought a SV103 and I like it pretty well so far, but I'm not sure it would be my choice for punching 1.5oz weights, or throwing 1oz jigs.  

Why wouldnt u be throwing heavier lures?

What are the cons and pros of the reel in your opinion?

[freelancer27]

So the SV 103 is considered to be a better buy than the Zillion HD? 

This one here https://japanlureshop.com/daiwa-zillion-tw-2188.html seems to be the perfect frogging and pitching reel.

Is that the XHG version of the Zillion HD or what is it called in the US?

Thanks!

[38 Super Fan]

6 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

Why wouldnt u be throwing heavier lures?

What are the cons and pros of the reel in your opinion?

Both are fine reels, I just think the Super Duty is a little better reel for heavier lures, and for flippin'/pitching/punching. It just has a stronger/sturdier feel to me. I personally like the ergos of the SD more than the SV103 as well.

 

I do like the SV103 more than the SD as an all around reel, and it has a better braking system. I'd give it an edge on casting distance too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[freelancer27]

Leaning towards the 9.1 model of http://japantackle.com/casting-reels/daiwa/low-profile-casting-reels/daiwa-zilliontw2015.html

Anyone has experience with the reel or a link to a review?

Thx!

[freelancer27]

The more I search the more I find.

I think I will make a decision between the following three reels:

*Daiwa SV103*

+ Sturdy
+ Affordable (230 USD)
+ SV spool for lighter lures
+ good line capacity
+ good (fast) gear ratio
- not officially safe for saltwater
- bit heavier

*DAIWA 15 ZILLION TW 1516 XXHL*
+ Sturdy
+ Super Fast gear ratio
+ Salt water safe
+ cool looks
+ TWS for pitching bigger braid
- only available through Japanese websites (shipping time + no local warranty)
- More expensive (270 USD)
- Unsure about the torque for big bass
- line capacity not as much (12mono /110 yards)

 

*Shimano Curado 200K*
+ seems to be sturdy enough from the first reviews
+ fast gear ratio
+ nice looks
+ decent price 
- line guide seems too small for big braided lines
- not enough reviews out there
- not available till end of september

What would you do guys?

Thanks for your help!

[Tim Kelly]

I use a tatula type R 8:1, which is the same shape as the zillion TWS. It's a bit more solid feeling than the Tat CT, and I don't have a problem with the marginally larger frame size. I really can't see there'd be anything to gain for frogging or punching by using a more expensive reel (I have more expensive reels), but if you insist on spending more any of your choices would be fine, as would the HD versions of the Zillion and Tatula from the USDM if you felt you needed more line capacity for some reason. 65lb Power Pro Maxcuatro is a great match for frog and punching duties BTW.

[new2BC4bass]

I wouldn't worry too much about shipping time from Japan.  It was like 4 days for my last reel to arrive from Japan Tackle.  Warranty might be more of a problem.  Don't know anything about that.