Frog'n Reel Recommendations

[D Stetz]

2 hours 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.

 
the lower the gear ratio, the slower you’re picking up line though. I’ve never in my years of froggin heard of anyone using anything that low. Do you do much frogging? 

[Quarry Man]

if you are trying to bomb cast and need the max distance possible, Curado dc.

if you want a solid heavy duty reel, Curado k

tatula is a great reel two and I love it.

 

id go with the Curado k in an 8.5:1

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, D Stetz said:

 
the lower the gear ratio, the slower you’re picking up line though. I’ve never in my years of froggin heard of anyone using anything that low. Do you do much frogging? 

Lots.

[Big Rick]

I have 2 combo's that I frog fish with. My reels are definitely different but do exactly what I want them to do. For standard frogs I fish with a Daiwa Elite Pitch/Flip. That reel is a beast and will drag them out of the slop!  It's also decent at skipping. I use it in the winter as a jig combo. 

 

For smaller frogs I bought the Lew's SP (skip and pitch) Speed Spool. I absolutely love this reel! I love skipping frogs under docks and cypress trees with low hanging limbs. This reel is amazing at that. I also use it for chatterbaits. Works like a charm. It does have a shallower spool, but it would hold plenty of 30# Power Pro. I have bombed casts with it on a full spool and not emptied it. I do, however, fill it about halfway when I am doing a lot of skipping. It works better for me that way. 

 

If I had to choose just one, it would be the Lew's SP. 

 

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, D Stetz said:

 
the lower the gear ratio, the slower you’re picking up line though. I’ve never in my years of froggin heard of anyone using anything that low. Do you do much frogging? 

 

How much frogging do YOU do?

 

I catch fish 5 days a week...

 

I'm not worried about how much line I can pick up and how fast, I'm worried about pulling them out of thick weeds and grass, and more torque makes it easier to do so when you have a 7-10lb fish on the line diving for the thick stuff 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

8 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

if you are trying to bomb cast and need the max distance possible, Curado dc.

if you want a solid heavy duty reel, Curado k

tatula is a great reel two and I love it.

 

id go with the Curado k in an 8.5:1

Yea I don't usually make massive BOMB casts and the Curado DC is both over budget and out of stock always in my area. 

Curado K I think has been and is currently the top runner for sure.

All that being said I don't know why but I'm in the mood to try another brand. All I own are shimanos and I like them but the way I see it how will I ever know if I like something else better without trying it. 

Also been interested in trying a Tatula, got any recommendations in that line?

And I can't explain this at all but for some reason I really want to try a Lews reel. I have no idea why, maybe cause in my area no one carries them but all the YouTube videos I watch alot of people use them so I'm interested!

7 hours ago, Big Rick said:

I have 2 combo's that I frog fish with. My reels are definitely different but do exactly what I want them to do. For standard frogs I fish with a Daiwa Elite Pitch/Flip. That reel is a beast and will drag them out of the slop!  It's also decent at skipping. I use it in the winter as a jig combo. 

 

For smaller frogs I bought the Lew's SP (skip and pitch) Speed Spool. I absolutely love this reel! I love skipping frogs under docks and cypress trees with low hanging limbs. This reel is amazing at that. I also use it for chatterbaits. Works like a charm. It does have a shallower spool, but it would hold plenty of 30# Power Pro. I have bombed casts with it on a full spool and not emptied it. I do, however, fill it about halfway when I am doing a lot of skipping. It works better for me that way. 

 

If I had to choose just one, it would be the Lew's SP. 

 

I'm actually super interested in trying a Lews out!

My only question to your recommendation is I don't plan to be using this to skip much, and this reel will be for standard to larger sized frogs for fishing heavy junk/weeds/Lilly and slop! 

I don't need it to cast miles but I'd like to be able to send it 120-150yards on 50lb braid. 

[long island basser]

Look into the Quantum smoke S3 .

I use two for my cranking setups in the 6.1:1

and one in 7.3:1 for frogging.

Oversized spool, great knobs on the 95mm handle, easy to dial in with a strong and smooth drag.

One of my favorites in my arsenal.

[Dumbbassanglr]

I strongly recommend going jdm from digitaka. At your price you can choose between a metanium mgl (one piece mag frame) or a scorpion dc (aluminum frame). I personally like the dc reels for frogging, its the only thing I use a dc reel for because sometimes a frog casts kinda funny and I can bomb it without any headaches with these reels. Some of my biggest fish have been on the end of a long bomb cast. This is also a good reason to have at least a 7:1 gear ratio. You can reel down and pick up that slack better before setting the hook. Then you pull the fish in properly by pumping your rod not cranking the reel. Another benefit of a faster reel is quickly getting the fish above the slop which you only have a second to do but makes landing the fish way easier. A slower reel won't get that done.

[CrashVector]

50 minutes ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

I strongly recommend going jdm from digitaka. At your price you can choose between a metanium mgl (one piece mag frame) or a scorpion dc (aluminum frame). I personally like the dc reels for frogging, its the only thing I use a dc reel for because sometimes a frog casts kinda funny and I can bomb it without any headaches with these reels. Some of my biggest fish have been on the end of a long bomb cast. This is also a good reason to have at least a 7:1 gear ratio. You can reel down and pick up that slack better before setting the hook. Then you pull the fish in properly by pumping your rod not cranking the reel. Another benefit of a faster reel is quickly getting the fish above the slop which you only have a second to do but makes landing the fish way easier. A slower reel won't get that done.

Gets it done for me all the time...

[PhishLI]

52 minutes ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

This is also a good reason to have at least a 7:1 gear ratio. You can reel down and pick up that slack better before setting the hook.

Another good argument for high speed gear ratios when frogging, up to an 8 spd, is that if you're long casting a frog to targets you want to get it back quickly after working the target area. No point in reeling your frog back in like a madman over a bunch of dead water with a low gear ratio reel. That's annoying to me. Plus, I've never once felt like fighting any fish back in using an 8 spd 100-150 size reel was laborious or distressing in the least.

[D Stetz]

12 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

How much frogging do YOU do?

 

I catch fish 5 days a week...

 

I'm not worried about how much line I can pick up and how fast, I'm worried about pulling them out of thick weeds and grass, and more torque makes it easier to do so when you have a 7-10lb fish on the line diving for the thick stuff 

 I do enough that I'd probably out fish you with one on your own lakes. 

 

That must be why all the top pro frog guys use those low gear ratio reels for throwing frogs, right? lol 

 

I don't give them a chance to dive for the thick stuff...because my reel picks up the line fast enough that they can't even try for it...hah 

 

 

12 hours ago, CrashVector said:

Lots.

 

"Smaller lures, light weight, and bottom contact. Fast or slow is up to you and the fish. I'm a finesse fisherman 95% of the time. In fact, the only power fishing lures I use are a devil horse, a chatterbait, frogs , and swimbaits...and I only rarely use them." 

 

^^^ Is this you? Thought you did "Lots." of frog fishing? 

[CrashVector]

47 minutes ago, D Stetz said:

 I do enough that I'd probably out fish you with one on your own lakes. 

 

That must be why all the top pro frog guys use those low gear ratio reels for throwing frogs, right? lol 

 

I don't give them a chance to dive for the thick stuff...because my reel picks up the line fast enough that they can't even try for it...hah 

 

 

 

"Smaller lures, light weight, and bottom contact. Fast or slow is up to you and the fish. I'm a finesse fisherman 95% of the time. In fact, the only power fishing lures I use are a devil horse, a chatterbait, frogs , and swimbaits...and I only rarely use them." 

 

^^^ Is this you? Thought you did "Lots." of frog fishing? 

Yes it's me.  Rarely meaning I fish practically every single day.  I use a frog a couple times during the week.

 

I'm not getting into a ticking contest with you.

 

As far as out fishing me, I catch fish bigger than your personal best.. on video...just about every single day.  This is a train you don't wanna ride dude, trust me.

 

If you bothered to Google it, you'd find out that high speed and low speed reels are equally popular for top water frog fishing...depending on preferences.

 

If your idea of having fun is trying to emulate other people while fishing, then by all means, do what's fun for you.  I'll do what's fun for me and what works for me.

 

It's a preference.  You gonna start an argument next because someone likes blue and your favorite color is purple?

[D Stetz]

17 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

Yes it's me.  Rarely meaning I fish practically every single day.  I use a frog a couple times during the week.

 

I'm not getting into a ticking contest with you.

 

As far as out fishing me, I catch fish bigger than your personal best.. on video...just about every single day.  This is a train you don't wanna ride dude, trust me.

 

If you bothered to Google it, you'd find out that high speed and low speed reels are equally popular for top water frog fishing...depending on preferences.

 

If your idea of having fun is trying to emulate other people while fishing, then by all means, do what's fun for you.  I'll do what's fun for me and what works for me.

 

It's a preference.  You gonna start an argument next because someone likes blue and your favorite color is purple?

 

As far as who uses what reel ratio, the guys that win the money and have their own line of frogs use the high gear ratio reels. That's just a fact. Three of the absolute best; Ish Monroe, Bobby Barrack, Dean Rojas, will all say the same thing. It ain't about emulating anyone, it's about using the right and proven gear for the application. 

 

As far as you catching bigger fish than my PB....well duh, you live in Louisiana and I live in NY, our bass have to suffer through almost 6 months of below-50 water temps, so they obviously don't grow as fast or big. 

 

I couldn't care less about your "train," or how many 7+ lb fish you've caught on video, I'll still out fish you with a frog.

 

(I'm mostly just busting your balls BTW lol You have a youtube or something? I actually would like to watch some new channels.) 

[CrashVector]

14 minutes ago, D Stetz said:

 

As far as who uses what reel ratio, the guys that win the money and have their own line of frogs use the high gear ratio reels. That's just a fact. Three of the absolute best; Ish Monroe, Bobby Barrack, Dean Rojas, will all say the same thing. It ain't about emulating anyone, it's about using the right and proven gear for the application. 

 

As far as you catching bigger fish than my PB....well duh, you live in Louisiana and I live in NY, our bass have to suffer through almost 6 months of below-50 water temps, so they obviously don't grow as fast or big. 

 

I couldn't care less about your "train," or how many 7+ lb fish you've caught on video, I'll still out fish you with a frog.

 

(I'm mostly just busting your balls BTW lol You have a youtube or something? I actually would like to watch some new channels.) 

 

Yes.  In my profile.

 

I agree about using proven gear.  "Right" is subjective.

[Finessegenics]

[Mojo Bass]

Get a strong rod, a fast gear reel, and some 50-65lb braid and go throw a frog

 

That works from “Connecticut to California” as the great Roland Martin would say 

[D Stetz]

17 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

 

Yes.  In my profile.

 

I agree about using proven gear.  "Right" is subjective.

 As long as you're spooled up with 50-65 pound braid I suppose it doesn't matter too much what gear ratio you're using. 

[CrashVector]

Just now, D Stetz said:

 As long as you're spooled up with 50-65 pound braid I suppose it doesn't matter too much what gear ratio you're using. 

Lol!  I use 20.

[Mojo Bass]

So you frog fish the slop with a 5speed reel and 20lb braid? So I’m clear on my reading of this. 
 

I’m not saying thats wrong. I’m just saying it’s the opposite from what I see idk 95% of people use. ??‍♂️ BUT if it works best for you, fill your boots and catch some fish. Enjoy. 

[CrashVector]

3 minutes ago, VanIsleBassin said:

So you frog fish the slop with a 5speed reel and 20lb braid? So I’m clear on my reading of this. 
 

I’m not saying thats wrong. I’m just saying it’s the opposite from what I see idk 95% of people use. ??‍♂️ BUT if it works best for you, fill your boots and catch some fish. Enjoy. 

The reel I use most for it is 6.3:1, but yes.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Getting back to my OP any of you frog masters care to provide a suggestion for a reel for me? Or more unrelated statements?

 

Maybe my original post was confusing. I know what speed I want, I know what kind of braid I'm throwing. I'm purely looking for a make/model of reel. 

 

Thanks!

[D Stetz]

7 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

Lol!  I use 20.

Yeah, that's too thin a diameter. With the drag locked, pulling a 3+ lb fish out of thick stuff you're gonna get line dig. I watched a few of your vids...you oughta carry a scale...just sayin' lol

3 minutes ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Getting back to my OP any of you frog masters care to provide a suggestion for a reel for me? Or more unrelated statements?

 

Maybe my original post was confusing. I know what speed I want, I know what kind of braid I'm throwing. I'm purely looking for a make/model of reel. 

 

Thanks!

Dude I'm pretty sure you've gotten about 20 suggested reels to look at. It ain't that complicated really - Just grab a 7.1.1 - 8 speed reel with an aluminum frame. 

[GaryH]

Back to the point. I use a Curado dc 7.4:1 TW has them for $259. 

[MyKeyBe]

Just make sure it has an aluminum frame. Beyond that it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. I also use a $45.00 Quantum Icon on a $70.00 Falcon Bucoo Lizard Dragger 2 Brc-7-17. Simple, cheap, and effective.

[Mojo Bass]

18 minutes ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Getting back to my OP any of you frog masters care to provide a suggestion for a reel for me? Or more unrelated statements?

 

Maybe my original post was confusing. I know what speed I want, I know what kind of braid I'm throwing. I'm purely looking for a make/model of reel. 

 

Thanks!

As I recommended before the revo X has an aluminum frame and brass gears it’s durable and great for the application and quite budget friendly, if you want to spend more get a revo sx, If you want to spend even more get a revo stx….. they all have aluminum frames and brass gears the main difference will be the smoothness and braking system for casting…… I use the revo x because it’s cheap and for the price and application I’m 100% satisfied

 

If you don’t like Abu go with the lews or tatula I saw earlier you said you have interest in those two. Between the two you will be taken care of just fine, I’d lean towards the tatula because it has such a high reputation, but regardless I’m sure you’ll be happy with whatever you get