Frog'n Reel Recommendations

[Phil77]

Lews superduty G, or lews BB1 pro. Both are aluminum frames and hold 150 yd of #12. If you want the 13 look for a first gen A, the new ones are composite frame. You also cant go wrong with a curado . I like the 6 gear ratio for a frog as well, I've not had any outrun me.

[CrashVector]

51 minutes ago, D Stetz said:

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

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. 

 

I've carried a scale on multiple occasions, got four five and six pound fish no problems with line dig.

 

I get it though, people on this site often say things that make me chuckle, including things like 10 and 20 lb braid is too thin or you'll get line dig, when I watch people everyday including myself using very thin diameter braid without getting things like line dig problems.

 

It just isn't an issue I've ever had, including getting snags that I had to break off.

[PhishLI]

On 3/9/2022 at 12:12 PM, GReb said:

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.

It also has a double bearing crank. Keep it properly lubed and it probably won't quit. I've fished mine like I'm trying to break it, and it feels the same as when it came out of the box, which was pretty smooth. A real sleeper that'll bomb a frog stupid distances on a reasonably tipped 7'3" Heavy.

[Big Rick]

13 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

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

WOW! Just how heavy of a frog do you use? 150 yard casts are totally beyond my skill set, especially frogging. I would need a 10 ft super extra heavy rod just to set the hook on a frog at 150 yards. 

[PhishLI]

50 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

150 yard casts are totally beyond my skill set

Not if you're on the moon.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

56 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

WOW! Just how heavy of a frog do you use? 150 yard casts are totally beyond my skill set, especially frogging. I would need a 10 ft super extra heavy rod just to set the hook on a frog at 150 yards. 

Yea, definitely am wrong here. Not sure what I was thinking. 

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

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

And I thought I was doing good getting half a spool with a 3/4 oz. spoon and 40# braid (filled to bevel) on a Gen1 STX and a 7' MHF.    That should have been in the 70-75 yard range.  Oh well.  I never claimed to be all that good with a baitcast reel having been 61 before getting my first one.  I'll never catch up to the ability of you young squirts. 

[WPCfishing]

On 3/8/2022 at 3:44 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

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. 

Mike, I’ve been moving over to JDM Daiwa Zillions and Steez A reels for Toads and frogs. 

The new Tatula looks great at 200 US.

OP may find the Tatula is an excellent choice. 
 

 

[Hammer 4]

My inexpensive Diawa Feugo 8 speed works just fine. ?

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

5 hours ago, WPCfishing said:

Mike, I’ve been moving over to JDM Daiwa Zillions and Steez A reels for Toads and frogs. 

The new Tatula looks great at 200 US.

OP may find the Tatula is an excellent choice. 
 

 

Which Tatula is this, for $200? I'd love to try one

[PhishLI]

On 3/10/2022 at 5:10 AM, long island basser said:

Look into the Quantum smoke S3

@IneedAnewScreenName-98161861, This one is worth a look. It's light, compact, and has a gear train built to last. Its unusually tall for its class 36 mm spool helps with making long casts. User friendly externally adjustable centrifugal brakes means no opening up of the side plate on the water to make adjustments.

 

Brand snobbery often leaves this reel out of the discussion, but performance-wise it competes with reels above its price point.

 

If you want to save few bucks Quantum has a less expensive version called the Smoke X that's otherwise identical minus a few bearings in non-key areas and a bit heavier at a shade over 8oz vs 6.9 for the S3. They have a great 5 year warranty and are very responsive and fast to take care of you if issues come up.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_Smoke_X_100_Casting_Reels/descpage-QS3C.html

 

If you're interested in Daiwa the Tatula 150 is the Daiwa to get below the $200 price point, IMO. It's ruggedized with a metal handle side-plate, has a wide spool, and good line capacity.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Tatula_150_Casting_Reel/descpage-DTT5.html#customer_reviews

 

 

 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

On 3/11/2022 at 4:44 AM, PhishLI said:

@IneedAnewScreenName-98161861, This one is worth a look. It's light, compact, and has a gear train built to last. Its unusually tall for its class 36 mm spool helps with making long casts. User friendly externally adjustable centrifugal brakes means no opening up of the side plate on the water to make adjustments.

 

Brand snobbery often leaves this reel out of the discussion, but performance-wise it competes with reels above its price point.

 

If you want to save few bucks Quantum has a less expensive version called the Smoke X that's otherwise identical minus a few bearings in non-key areas and a bit heavier at a shade over 8oz vs 6.9 for the S3. They have a great 5 year warranty and are very responsive and fast to take care of you if issues come up.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_Smoke_X_100_Casting_Reels/descpage-QS3C.html

 

If you're interested in Daiwa the Tatula 150 is the Daiwa to get below the $200 price point, IMO. It's ruggedized with a metal handle side-plate, has a wide spool, and good line capacity.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Tatula_150_Casting_Reel/descpage-DTT5.html#customer_reviews

 

 

 

Thank you so much! I did a Tatula deep dive today and yea that 150 looks pretty good. Tons and tons of stellar reviews. Specifically for froggin too. 

 

I will look at the quantum again but from what I was reading reviews were mixed. 

[PhishLI]

On 3/11/2022 at 5:14 AM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

I will look at the quantum again but from what I was reading reviews were mixed. 

I have a pile of them. Zero issues.

 

P.S. 1 guy with an issue out of 23 on the TW site for the Smoke S3 doesn't qualify as mixed reviews.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_Smoke_S3_Casting_Reels/descpage-QS3.html

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

On 3/11/2022 at 5:16 AM, PhishLI said:

I have a pile of them. Zero issues.

 

P.S. 1 guy with an issue out of 23 on the TW site for the Smoke S3 doesn't qualify as mixed reviews.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_Smoke_S3_Casting_Reels/descpage-QS3.html

Who said the reviews I read came off TW? 

[DINK WHISPERER]

For the reel.... Anything Shimano! For frogs I like the new Bobby's perfect frog and the old wobbletrons. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

4 hours ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

For the reel.... Anything Shimano! For frogs I like the new Bobby's perfect frog and the old wobbletrons. 

Thanks! 

 

I've narrowed it down to 3 options I think. 

Curado 200k

Tatula 150

Lews super duty G or LFS

[DINK WHISPERER]

5 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Thanks! 

 

I've narrowed it down to 3 options I think. 

Curado 200k

Tatula 150

Lews super duty G or LFS

Have you considered the new Curado 150 MGL? Much better than the K IMO. 

[garroyo130]

If you plan on keeping it for a long time, Shimano or Daiwa. Not that Quantum or others wont hold up but good luck finding parts when you need them 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

1 hour ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Have you considered the new Curado 150 MGL? Much better than the K IMO. 

I have not! 

I'll take a look today but I fear it's probably past my budget

[WPCfishing]

On 3/11/2022 at 4:38 AM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Which Tatula is this, for $200? I'd love to try one

Take a look at the new 70 & 80 

I may buy a couple myself.. small and all aluminum. Weight 6.2 oz. 
 

[DINK WHISPERER]

45 minutes ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Welp if I can find a deal on this reel it's the one I'm going for. Unfortunately there $279 at my local shops. I'm in Canada so even 175 shipped with shipping to me and then duties still might be over my budget. 

I think it's between this and the Tatula!

 

Thanks so much for the suggestion!

Yes I forgot about the whole Canada thing. That kills a lot of the deals out there. Good luck man. 

[the reel ess]

I frog fish a lot and have a dedicated combo. The reel is a Lew's Tournament MB in 7.5:1 I think. It was a $130 retail reel. It's very durable as I've used it for 5+ years with 50# braid, an XH rod, with the drag tightened all the way down. I liked this reel so much I own 3. But they have replaced it in their LFS lineup. The last reel I bought for jigs was the basic $100 LFS model in 8.something:1. It's a fine reel and I love the extra high speed retrieve. I would go with it for frogging too. 

 

My rod is a technique specific frog rod from Cabela's that they have discontinued. It's 7-3 HX-XF. It's great for frogging but not great for other techniques. I'll use it for an extra jig/T rig rod in colder water. Honestly, if you have a heavy flipping rod, it will do nicely as a frog rod. 

 

As for frogs, I own a bunch of them, including a couple of mouse/rat baits. But I almost always have a Booyah Pad Crasher or the popping Pad Crasher tied on. They do everything you want a frog to do, they're durable and they won't break the bank. If you reach a point where you know there are bass in the weeds and can't get one to bite, you can try a toad or a Johnson Silver Minnow spoon with a trailer. 

 

The frog seems to produce better than average bites. Happy frogging!

[scbassin]

To expand on my post about the Bantam Xg for Frog fishing I I believe the speed is better. Here is why. I use a 6 power rod when Frog fishing, when I set the hooks it's hard enough to cross his eyes this will go a long way toward keeping his head up. The speed of the reel & the power of the rod helps keeping the fish skimming across the top by keeping the slack out of your line.

The fish does not have as much time to wrap you around something & get off. Be sure that you don't let your line go slack upon landing.

Tight Lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

t

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

16 hours ago, scbassin said:

To expand on my post about the Bantam Xg for Frog fishing I I believe the speed is better. Here is why. I use a 6 power rod when Frog fishing, when I set the hooks it's hard enough to cross his eyes this will go a long way toward keeping his head up. The speed of the reel & the power of the rod helps keeping the fish skimming across the top by keeping the slack out of your line.

The fish does not have as much time to wrap you around something & get off. Be sure that you don't let your line go slack upon landing.

Tight Lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

t

Thanks!

I'm not so much worried about how to frog fish, more so just looking for suggestions on a good reel for frog fishing. But thanks for the feedback!

[ErieCan]

In Canada as well. My frog reel is a Daiwa Tatula SV TW103.  So easy to cast. In your price range.