Setting drag for frogs.

[Ksam1234]

So I’m finally getting dedicated rod and reel for frogging. I have the rod and I been using a lews speed spool reel. It has only 10 pounds of drag. I had it locked down all the way today and when I set the hook a tiny bit of drag slipped. I’m wondering if that is alright for frogging so you don’t rip it out of its face.  Or do you want it locked down tight so no drag slips? Wondering how much drag you want when hollow body frogging. I am using it around dense lily pads and matted grass. And what reel is good for frogging if this isn’t suggested, anything 150$ and under please 

[geo g]

Frog fishing is usually in the thick junk.  Most use heavy braid because of all the weed.  So you don't miss,  don't set the hook right away when you see the bite, but pause and then slam the hook set.  You should tighten that drag tight so you can get the head up quickly.  If you don;t, you'll get wrapped, and lose fish.  65 pound braid is my line of choice, big rods, and quick retrieve reels.  You are going to war!!!!!!!!

[DINK WHISPERER]

I lock mine down with 50-65lb braid. Occasionally it will still slip very slightly when extreme force is being applied  

[Ksam1234]

Yeah I sm

using 50 pound braid and have my reel locked down to max 10 pound drag. I set the hook few times today and the drag still slipped a bit. Just didn’t know if that was ok or should find a better reel wth more drag 

[EGbassing]

4 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

Yeah I sm

using 50 pound braid and have my reel locked down to max 10 pound drag. I set the hook few times today and the drag still slipped a bit. Just didn’t know if that was ok or should find a better reel wth more drag 

Shouldn't be a problem.

[J Francho]

My Daiwa TD-XHSDL is around 8 lbs. max, maybe a little more with the Carbontex drag upgrade, and it works fine for frogging.

[38 Super Fan]

Thumb your spool on the hookset...drag won't slip then.

[J Francho]

I'd prefer it to slip, and not over stress the reel.

[38 Super Fan]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I'd prefer it to slip, and not over stress the reel.

I'd agree. But I have known a few people who like this technique.

[J Francho]

Just now, 38 Super Fan said:

I'd agree. But I have known a few people who like this technique.

I use it, but not on frogs.  In some cases, I intentionally run my drag a little light, and use my thumb when I need it.

[Ksam1234]

Ok thank you so the 10 pound is strong enough. I was just thinking of getting the REVO s gen 4. It has 20 pounds max drag I believe.  

[WRB]

I set my drag at 8 lbs when fishing heavy cover using 60 lb braid because the rod can't lift more the 8 lbs dead weight before breaking. As stated use your thumb on a baitcasting reel during the hook set if needed. If a big bass gets wrapped up in heavy cover you need to go to the bass and dig it out, you can't pull it out using the rod.

Tom

[Ksam1234]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

I set my drag at 8 lbs when fishing heavy cover using 60 lb braid because the rod can't lift more the 8 lbs dead weight before breaking. As stated use your thumb on a baitcasting reel during the hook set if needed. If a big bass gets wrapped up in heavy cover you need to go to the bass and dig it out, you can't pull it out using the rod.

Tom

Thank you , I do use my thumb from time to time but I guess I forget sometimes and let it slide.  I don’t wanna wear out my casting reel, I’ll learn to thumb better 

[TOXIC]

Tom is right on.  I set my drag with consideration to the rod it's mounted on.  Sometimes I can lock down the drag but if I have anything short of a broomstick, I take into consideration the possibility of snapping a rod on the hookset needed for a bass/frog in the heavy grass.  

[the reel ess]

I all but cinch it. I use a Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool LFS reel and a Cabela's Frog model Tournament ZX rod. I haven't found the fish I can't pull out yet. Just use common sense about how much weight a rod can lift. I lean on my rod pretty hard because it's a frog model. You expect to be able to abuse it a bit. But I doubt I've ever put 10 lbs. of load on it.

[Scarborough817]

2 hours ago, Ksam1234 said:

Yeah I sm

using 50 pound braid and have my reel locked down to max 10 pound drag. I set the hook few times today and the drag still slipped a bit. Just didn’t know if that was ok or should find a better reel wth more drag 

if you didnt apply tape to the spool before spooling the straight braid it could be slipping on the spool 

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, Scarborough817 said:

if you didnt apply tape to the spool before spooling the straight braid it could be slipping on the spool 

I always use electrical tape.   ?

[Catt]

Speed Spool® LFS 

Rulon drag system with 15 lb max drag

Drag set at 10 lb

 

Falcon's Bobby's Perfect Frog Casting Rod is 7ft 10in

 

TUF-Line XP 50 lb

 

If Big Momma slips drag I just lean back on the rod a little more.

 

Ya hook the bass & fight em with your rod!

 

[J.Vincent]

Most of my BaitCasting reels have 18lb Carbon Drag system, and I like to set the drag around 10lbs give or take a 1lb.....unless I'm fishing Treble Hook Lures, and then I set the drag a few pounds lighter. 

[Steve1357]

5 hours ago, 38 Super Fan said:

Thumb your spool on the hookset...drag won't slip then.

Exactly, baitcasting 101.....thumb on hookset....needs to be instinctive.

 

Then the fluorocarbon guys will be telling me you can't do that because the line will break...that's why I don't use fluorocarbon. ?

 

[everythingthatswims]

2 hours ago, Steve1357 said:

Exactly, baitcasting 101.....thumb on hookset....needs to be instinctive.

 

Then the fluorocarbon guys will be telling me you can't do that because the line will break...that's why I don't use fluorocarbon. ?

 

tell that to the 20lb I flip with

[BuzzHudson19c]

Drag? Yeah, Drag dem bass outa tha thick stuff fas as hell.

 

As far down as it will go.

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 6/20/2018 at 12:00 PM, Ksam1234 said:

Ok thank you so the 10 pound is strong enough. I was just thinking of getting the REVO s gen 4. It has 20 pounds max drag I believe.  

I picked up the newest Revo X that claims 18# of drag.  This is the only reel in my lineup that I do not lock down.  I'll thumb my spool, but somewhere along the line I have to think with that much drag, something's got to give.

 

Curado K tests at just over 11# of drag and does great for me with 50# braid, and the 8.5:1 at 36 IPT helps out once I stick 'em.  It's a little over your budget but we'll worth it IMO.

[Lead Head]

Lews tournament mb. Can get one for $109 on ebay. 14# max drag, comes in 8.3.1., and has really good distance. My absolute favorite reel for frogs. Been using one on my frog rod for about 3 years now and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I keep the drag locked down and it will slip a bit on the set with a good fish. I have never failed to hookup on a fish that made my drag slip.