Frog'n Reel Recommendations

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Well I pulled the trigger on an Expride B for my new frog rod. I've never spent that much on a rod before so I'm still feeling a bit guilty but everytime I look at it I smile so that's gotta be a good sign lol. 

 

Next step is the reel. My head is telling me to go with a more budget friendly reel to compensate for the price of the rod but then the little devil on my shoulder says why the hell would you cheap out on the reel for such a nice rod. HELP!

 

I have watched hours of YouTube videos on frog fishing and just about everyone uses a different reel so it's not really helping, actually making it tougher cause it gives too many options. 

 

I've looked into the Curado 200K, SLX, Lews super duty 300, 13 fishing concept A. 

 

Hopefully you fine people can help me out yet again. I live in Canada so again prices for me are much different then anyone is the US, as well as product availability. Lews products in specific I find are difficult to get locally. 

 

What I do know is I want something strong, light and fast. I think the absolute top end of my budget would be in the $280 price point. Again that's Canadian dollars. Obviously cheaper would be better. What would y'all suggest? 

 

Thanks 

Greg

 

 

 

 

 

[Eric 26]

I’m going to say a Daiwa Tatula CT or Tatula 150. I use a few different brands of reels but feel the Tatulas will hold up well to the nature of frog fishing, (heavy braid locked down drags) in general.

[Mojo Bass]

I too live in Canada and I use a 4th gen Abu Garcia revo X HS for my froggin setup and it does the job I think very well. The 7.3 ratio is fast enough for me and the 18lbs drag is plenty strong for frogs and it’s on the cheaper side for us Canadians. Still has an aluminum frame too so you don’t have to worry about the reel flexing or anything under load or at least mine doesn’t. That would be my recommendation if you wanna save a couple bucks but ya know get what you feel works best. Goodluck ??

[Finessegenics]

Lots of good reels out there, no need to go nuts with getting a high end one to match your rod. I own a Curado K and SLX. Curado K is really nice, absolutely nothing wrong with it, but in the past season I 'rediscovered' my SLX and man, it is a good reel. I use it on a rod for moving baits, 6 speed. I'd feel comfortable throwing it on any setup. Still affordable here in Canada. So if you're feeling like saving a bit of money get the SLX, you won't be disappointed. 

 

My current frog reel is actually a Daiwa CR80 7.5:1. Very affordable robust. It's also tiny and easily palm-able so I'm wondering if I should switch it over to my punching setup. 

[Deleted account]

What is it with the love for tiny reels and frogging? Yall don't make long casts? I tried a Fuego and the SLX, and spooled them with 50 and 65 braid, not to mention that the IPT way out there is way lower on a smaller spool, but hey, maybe they are in tight, and frog pitching is a thing somewhere...

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

Lots of good reels out there, no need to go nuts with getting a high end one to match your rod. I own a Curado K and SLX. Curado K is really nice, absolutely nothing wrong with it, but in the past season I 'rediscovered' my SLX and man, it is a good reel. I use it on a rod for moving baits, 6 speed. I'd feel comfortable throwing it on any setup. Still affordable here in Canada. So if you're feeling like saving a bit of money get the SLX, you won't be disappointed. 

 

My current frog reel is actually a Daiwa CR80 7.5:1. Very affordable robust. It's also tiny and easily palm-able so I'm wondering if I should switch it over to my punching setup. 

Im very familiar with the SLX line I own 2 or 3 already. Which is kind of why I was thinking of something else. With so many different options why not try something new. Plus I haven't been BLOWN away with the SLX line, for me it's just a money thing, they are good for the price. 

39 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

What is it with the love for tiny reels and frogging? Yall don't make long casts? I tried a Fuego and the SLX, and spooled them with 50 and 65 braid, not to mention that the IPT way out there is way lower on a smaller spool, but hey, maybe they are in tight, and frog pitching is a thing somewhere...

This is why the Lew's interests me so much. Just annoying no shop within an hour's drive carries Lew's!

[Deleted account]

17 minutes ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

This is why the Lew's interests me so much. Just annoying no shop within an hour's drive carries Lew's!

I don't own any BC Lews reels, but that Super Duty wide spool one would get a lot of use if I did.

[JS8588]

Watching with interest as I'm in the market for a frogging reel myself.

I'm currently looking at:

Abu Revo Rocket 4

Okuma Hakai

&

Daiwa Zillion 10.0 SV TW

 

Will be buying 2 of those 3.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

6 minutes ago, JS8588 said:

Watching with interest as I'm in the market for a frogging reel myself.

I'm currently looking at:

Abu Revo Rocket 4

Okuma Hakai

&

Daiwa Zillion 10.0 SV TW

 

Will be buying 2 of those 3.

Looks like I just got 3 more suspects to investigate!

[JS8588]

38 minutes ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Looks like I just got 3 more suspects to investigate!

I have a bias against the 3 brands you originally listed. I'm sure they're all fine reels but once something is in your head...

 

I'm sure we'll both learn a lot from others on this thread. Just of note, I'll be using 30lb braid as I don't have any real nasty slop to worry about where I fish. I've gotten lures back on 8lb mono. Your needs may vary.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For heavy cover fishing, whether it’s frogging, flipping, punching etc., what I look for in a reel is a solid frame, good drag and middle of the road gear ratio. As for line capacity, 100’ is a long cast, 150 (50yds) is a bomb. I don’t want to set the hook or land a fish from much over 100’ even if I could cast further.  Especially in heavy cover.  Pick your price point and shop among the name brands and you’ll do ok. 

[Mojo Bass]

2 hours ago, JS8588 said:

Watching with interest as I'm in the market for a frogging reel myself.

I'm currently looking at:

Abu Revo Rocket 4

Okuma Hakai

&

Daiwa Zillion 10.0 SV TW

 

Will be buying 2 of those 3.

Get the rocket ? those reels are so sweet 

[JS8588]

8 minutes ago, VanIsleBassin said:

Get the rocket ? those reels are so sweet 

 

TW is loaded with complaints about the carbon fiber handle coming apart but otherwise the reviews do look good. Amazon was running them for $119.99 about a month ago & I missed it.

[scbassin]

I have 2 Shimano Bantam MGL casting reels that I use for frog fishing.These reels are everything they say they are. They are great for frog fishing. They do have a upgraded version coming out this month thru June or July which I plan on trying one to see the difference.

[Jaderose]

as one of the resident frogging enthusiasts (notice I didn't say "expert."  I know better than that), this is normally where I would say go for speed.  BUT...if you are not fishing heavy mats and are not looking for super long bombs, you can't really go wrong with virtually anything that feels good in your hand.  At that price point just pick one.  I would still go for a little higher speed in case you get tempted by the gnarly stuff.  Also, because there is nothing sadder (in fishing) than setting a frog hook on a big ol girl and have her take off away from you only to switch direction suddenly and come TOWARDS you and not be able to take up the slack quick enough and have her jump, wink at you with a gleam in her eye, and spit the hook.

 

Not that I would know anything about this very specific scenario. ? 

 

ps...your 30lb braid is fine.  I fish the gnarliest of the gnarly and I use 40.  Never seen any reason to go higher

[GReb]

I use a $45 Quantum Icon PT. It has an aluminum frame, pinion support and solid drag.  More importantly if it quits I am not out much money. Where I fish frogs in the thick pads and slop a high performing, smooth reel is not needed. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

3 hours ago, scbassin said:

I have 2 Shimano Bantam MGL casting reels that I use for frog fishing.These reels are everything they say they are. They are great for frog fishing. They do have a upgraded version coming out this month thru June or July which I plan on trying one to see the difference.

Sadly in my OP I provided a budget and this far exceeds my bank. Otherwise I'd love to try one

[ATA]

For frogging you dont need anything fancy about the rod, I use curado rod for that application. What is important is the reel, You want a reel with higher gear ratio(I use 8.5), you choose anything 8 or higher is fine. And most important is solid aluminum frame for frogging.

 

my combo is curado XH(need to be XH for SoCal), And my reel is Curado 151 DC.

[D Stetz]

I know you said Lew's is tougher to get, but I'd highly recommend the 7.1.1 BB1 Pro. I absolutely love mine, and I put it through hell from Spring right up until d**n near the beginning of Winter here in NY frogging. I'm no expert either lol but I catch a couple hundred or so on the frog per year. 

 

Sidenote: Not sure what frogs you're using, but I also HIGHLY recommend the ScumFrog Trophy Series, and Launch Frogs, as well as the Snag Proof New Bobby's Perfect Frog. They've all quickly become the only frogs I tie on anymore. 

[CrashVector]

I far prefer lower gear ratios for frogs.

 

Reason: high speed reels = less torque.

 

I use 5.0 - 6.2:1 reels for frogs, and invariably they dive down into the thick stuff, and I like having the torque to haul em out.

 

The higher the gear ratio, the less torque.

[JS8588]

17 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

I far prefer lower gear ratios for frogs.

 

Reason: high speed reels = less torque.

 

I use 5.0 - 6.2:1 reels for frogs, and invariably they dive down into the thick stuff, and I like having the torque to haul em out.

 

The higher the gear ratio, the less torque.

 

Torque is what your rod is for 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

30 minutes ago, D Stetz said:

I know you said Lew's is tougher to get, but I'd highly recommend the 7.1.1 BB1 Pro. I absolutely love mine, and I put it through hell from Spring right up until d**n near the beginning of Winter here in NY frogging. I'm no expert either lol but I catch a couple hundred or so on the frog per year. 

 

Sidenote: Not sure what frogs you're using, but I also HIGHLY recommend the ScumFrog Trophy Series, and Launch Frogs, as well as the Snag Proof New Bobby's Perfect Frog. They've all quickly become the only frogs I tie on anymore. 

Thank you for replying! Definitely take at look at that Lew's. I don't know why I can't explain it but I really want to try a Lews reel.

 

Thanks for the frog tips! You know what's hilarious, the Launch Series Scum frog and the new Bobby's perfect are #2 and #3 on my list to try this year. Hearing great things about that scum frog. What's the deal with the trophy series?

[D Stetz]

I like the Trophy Series as a smaller profile frog in a bit thicker stuff than I’ll throw the Launch Frog. It’s a bit lower profile with a flatter bottom for pulling across thicker duck weed. BUT the New Bobby’s Perfect I think is gonna take its place. Still, for 6$ or so the Trophy Series is worth having in your box. 

[CrashVector]

48 minutes ago, JS8588 said:

 

Torque is what your rod is for 

 

Torque is a rotational force.

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, D Stetz said:

I know you said Lew's is tougher to get, but I'd highly recommend the 7.1.1 BB1 Pro. I absolutely love mine, and I put it through hell from Spring right up until d**n near the beginning of Winter here in NY frogging. I'm no expert either lol but I catch a couple hundred or so on the frog per year. 

 

Sidenote: Not sure what frogs you're using, but I also HIGHLY recommend the ScumFrog Trophy Series, and Launch Frogs, as well as the Snag Proof New Bobby's Perfect Frog. They've all quickly become the only frogs I tie on anymore. 

My fav frogs are the lunkerhunt compact frogs.   They’re just perfect.   Until I tried those scum frog launch series.    Man are those frogs awesome!