Frog Fishing Reel

[Matt Duprau]

Hello fellow anglers,

 

   I have a question that has been driving me crazy for the past while. For years, I have stressed the importance of fishing a high speed gear ratio 7.3.1+, as many others know, However, last year I hd a giant bass blow up on my frog and while setting the hook and grinding it back to the back, I absolutely destroyed and stripped the gears in my Daiwa Tatula reel. Ever since, i've been super "gun shy" about throwing my expensive high speed gear ratio reels on my froggin' set up. So my question to all you fellow anglers, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should I go back to a 7.3.1 gear ratio reel or drop down to a 6.6.1 for more power? I have a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 5500 that I was planning on using but it's just way too heavy. Would love to hear some opinions on this!! Thanks all

 

Matt

[ratherbfishin1]

Yikes now I’m worried, I don’t want to destroy my reels horsing fish to the boat through the cover.

[Fishingmickey]

A couple of possible reel selections for you might be:

     Shimano Tranx 300

     Shimano Curado 300E

     Abu Garcia Revo Winch

     Diawa Lexa

 

They are larger and of course heavier reels but have higher drag ratings. They are more capable of winching those big girls out of their lairs. Hope that helps!

FM

[OnthePotomac]

Can you believe I have my 10yr old Curado 6.2:1 100B with 50lb Sufix 832 on my frog rod.  This does not help you any I guess except for reel speed.

[Finnz922]

Sorry about your luck. I use to use a Zillion 7.3 now i use a Tat Type R 8.1. No issues other than I hate the knobs

[rtwvumtneer6]

This is a little off topic but still relevant (I think).  I'm looking at a Curado 200k for frogging and pitching, but I can't afford to have more than a handful of reels. I.e., I may throw  a large swimbait on it once  in a while. My questionstion is 8.5:1 TOO fast?! And can I be just as effective picking up line with the 7.4:1 and make the reel at least a little more versatile.  

 

Thoughts?! 

[Matt Duprau]

20 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

A couple of possible reel selections for you might be:

     Shimano Tranx 300

     Shimano Curado 300E

     Abu Garcia Revo Winch

     Diawa Lexa

 

They are larger and of course heavier reels but have higher drag ratings. They are more capable of winching those big girls out of their lairs. Hope that helps!

FM

Appreciate the recommendations! I own the Revo Winch. Almost all of those reels are low gear ratio, like 5.4.1, is that not too slow? I guess it's a double edged sword, you want high gear ratio to get them to the boat fast but then you want a low gear ratio with more power and drag. Tough call!!

[BrackishBassin]

All my frogging is done with an Abu Garcia Black Max. Catching them in deep pads, like forests of pads. Never had an issue getting them to the bank. I think it’s a 6.3.1 ratio reel but don’t quote me on that. If you’re looking for a cheaper high speed reel, have you considered the KastKing Speed Demon? I haven’t fished with any of their stuff, but lots of guys on here have nothing but good things to say about them. 

[keagbassr]

Just a thought but if you're stripping gears maybe your rod Isn't up to the task. My frog setup is a 7.1pq with a7-3 hvy tatula and no problems hauling thru cover.

[RPreeb]

My inexperience may be exposed, but I rarely reel the fish.  I move the fish with the rod as much as possible, then take up line with the reel.  That served me well in the 2 years of salt water fishing when I was regularly bringing in barracuda, jacks and snappers in the 5 to 10+ pound range.  I draw the fish in with the rod, then reel down to take up the line... lather, rinse, repeat.  Sometimes I may have to reel the fish part way, but only when it doesn't put a lot of load on the reel, as for a smaller fish or when it's moving more or less toward me. 

 

I realize that you sometimes have to move a bass out of cover quickly, and that takes a more aggressive retrieve than when fishing open water, but even then I'd try to minimize the load I put on the reel as much as possible.

 

Still doesn't seem to me that a reel without any defects or previous damage should strip out in that situation.

[Johnbt]

"My inexperience may be exposed, but I rarely reel the fish.  I move the fish with the rod as much as possible, then take up line with the reel." 

 

I was taught that way back in the 1950s and that's the only way I've ever fished, both freshwater and in the surf with an 11-foot rod. Lift the fish, reel down, lift the fish, reel down...

 

I don't how many times I've watched someone cranking hard on the reel while holding the rod perfectly still. Their rod is almost completely bowed over in a big U and when the fish makes a run or shakes its head there's no give in the system and the hook pulls free. Mono has some stretch of course, but braid doesn't.

 

To each their own I suppose.

 

I'm watching reruns of Wicked Tuna and they're winching in the 500-pounders by cranking the handle and pulling the line with a gloved hand. The biggest bluefin I ever caught was 50 pounds - lift with the legs, reel down, lift with the legs, reel down

 

John

[johnD.]

I'd rule out any reels that have a plastic or graphite frame.

[Matt Duprau]

I'm running an Okuma TCS 7,3 H Frog/Swimbait rod. My rod is up to the task. Been doing this for a long time, and with season only opening at the start of summer here in Ontario, my froggin' set up always gets a workout all season long. Tatula is 3 years old. Worked flawlessly up until the tournament where the gears stripped. I usually horse fish out using mostly my rod but I imagine I put quite the torque on the reel, having the tournament on the line and getting it in the boat. (Lost the fish, finished 3rd). I think I may drop down to a 6.6.1 and give it a shot.

[DenhamBruce]

I like the idea of a low gear ratio reel for specifically winching fish out of the slop. A Calcutta 200D comes to mind to fit that purpose, its just flat out a fun reel to fish. Lower gear ratio doesn't make you have to work nearly as hard to reel em out.

[optimator]

I have a couple 4600 C3's. I have been thinking about using one of them on my frog rod. I'm old so I still love the round reels 

[Fishingmickey]

On 3/10/2018 at 6:21 AM, Matt Duprau said:

Appreciate the recommendations! I own the Revo Winch. Almost all of those reels are low gear ratio, like 5.4.1, is that not too slow? I guess it's a double edged sword, you want high gear ratio to get them to the boat fast but then you want a low gear ratio with more power and drag. Tough call!!

I checked the Tranx and the Lexa... Tranx comes in a 7.6:1 model and the Lexa 7.1:1. I think the Curado300E has been discontinued. It was or is a 6.3:1 if I remember correctly.

 

[burrows]

On 3/10/2018 at 9:03 AM, johnD. said:

I'd rule out any reels that have a plastic or graphite frame.

Why the frame had nothing to do with the reel failure it was the gears graphite frames are plenty strong and not as heavy and dense as aluminum.

[evilcatfish]

Have you called Daiwa about the reel in question? Even if not under warranty they may be able to do something. I'm surprised the gears stripped that easily. I use a 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 Tatula for frogs and have had no issues. 

[Rigid Bass]

Speed vs. torque power has been one of the great debates on frog fishing for some time. As reel technology has significantly increased over the past 5 years you see more high speed reels that can handle more torque on the gears. With that being said, if you frog fish in heavy cover often, even catching multiple 2 pounders in slop will wear on your gears over time. That large bass you caught was most likely the straw that broke the camel's back. I believe in fishing with what you have the most confidence in. So stick with your high speed reel and make sure you use a longer rod like a 7'3 and a stronger rod like an extra heavy or mag heavy to help you pull those fish out of the heavy stuff. The longer length will allow you to pull more line faster and the heavier action will give you more leverage to pull the fish out with your rod rather then just your reel. 

[Deleted account]

I don't think the gear ratio is the issue. If one cranks under load a lot, it's going to wear gears out quicker, and aluminum gears (no matter what other name they are marketed under) are not a good idea for such applications.

[FryDog62]

Lews Super Duty.  Small, light, heavy duty gears - and you can get in high speed.  Best of all worlds IMO. 

[greentrout]

many many yrs. ago i used a a zebco 808 paired with a abu garcia mh 6' 6" rod 20# mono test with snag proof frog...

 

good fishing.... 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

On 3/12/2018 at 9:06 AM, evilcatfish said:

Have you called Daiwa about the reel in question? Even if not under warranty they may be able to do something. I'm surprised the gears stripped that easily. I use a 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 Tatula for frogs and have had no issues. 

I'd contact Daiwa for sure, no reason you should strip gears on a reel that is being using properly unless something is wrong with it. 

 

I use a KastKing Speed Demon for frogs. 

[Matt_3479]

That’s very unfortunate! I’ve been running the 7 gear ration shimano chronarch mgl and absolutely love it! I’m debating on trying the Batam mgl this season on it just due to it being a stronger reel. Not that i feel like the chronarch can’t handle it as I caught some monsters this season with it, just an excuse to try the bantam. The curado k also felt awesome and if money had been tighter at the time of the purchase this is the other reel I would of went with