Tough Low Profile Reels

[928JLH]

Bantam $230 at Digitaka or a Zillion HD $280 Digitaka or about $250 on Amazon. 

[JackstrawIII]

4 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

Bantam/Tat Elite size comparison

Super helpful, thanks!

 

I have quite a few Tatulas, so seeing how they compare to the Bantam is great. 

[JediAmoeba]

For frogging I use a Daiwa Arachnid which is essentially a Tatula 200. I like the 150 and 200 sizes for frogging because you can get a lot of line on those spools.

[JackstrawIII]

So much love for the Bantam on this thread. I’m going to have to keep my eyes open for a deal on one, as they’re a bit on the pricey side. 
 

Does anyone have experience with the Lews BB1 Pro for this use? The clicking drag seems like a useful feature, but I’ve read they’re a bit on the bulky side? 

[PhishLI]

32 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

Does anyone have experience with the Lews BB1 Pro for this use? The clicking drag seems like a useful feature, but I’ve read they’re a bit on the bulky side? 

It'll be fine.

 

A clicking drag is pretty much useless for a frog reel unless you back it off after the hookset, and you'd never do that.

 

It's about the same size as a Tatula CT. I barely see and feel difference holding them.

[JackstrawIII]

16 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

A clicking drag is pretty much useless for a frog reel unless you back it off after the hookset, and you'd never do that.

This is a very good point haha. 

[NorthernBasser]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

X2 ~

Late last season I picked up 2.

A week later I added 2 more.

Very nice unit for the price point IMO.

(Pictured on the right)

A-Jay

 

 

A-Jay, tell more about those DX Type-H rods. I've heard they're quite the sleeper for that price. You use them only for bladed jigs? 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Bantam is designed for exactly what you’re looking for. The bullet proof tank like a round reel in a Low profile design 

[A-Jay]

30 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

A-Jay, tell more about those DX Type-H rods. I've heard they're quite the sleeper for that price. You use them only for bladed jigs? 

I took a flyer on a couple of these sticks

late last season.  It's a TW branded number.  I will keep this very btief and simple. I FREAKING LOVE THIS ROD. 

Matched with the Elite reel, I want to fish it all day. Sensative, parabolic with decent components. Love the full cork. 

IMO. for the $$$ it's the ultimate sleeper. 

Bottom line, and why I like it so much, it  fishes like the sticks of years past.  Actually loads on the cast, loads on the hookset and puts big fish in the net. With authority.  Baits where that is benefical seem ideal.

A-Jay

[waymont]

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Late last season I picked up 2.

A week later I added 2 more.

Very nice unit for the price point IMO.

(Pictured on the right)

Hey. What are those Diana rods you have your Elites on? Are they moderate fats actions? thx

[A-Jay]

On 1/8/2024 at 6:10 PM, waymont said:

Hey. What are those Diana rods you have your Elites on? Are they moderate fats actions? thx

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DAIWAROD.html?from=basres

A-Jay

[waymont]

Cool, Thanks. I take it you dig them if have so many.

[JN94]

Tranx 150

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

I took a flyer on a couple of these sticks

late last season.  It's a TW branded number.  I will keep this very btief and simple. I FREAKING LOVE THIS ROD. 

Matched with the Elite reel, I want to fish it all day. Sensative, parabolic with decent components. Love the full cork. 

IMO. for the $$$ it's the ultimate sleeper. 

Bottom line, and why I like it so much, it  fishes like the sticks of years past.  Actually loads on the cast, loads on the hookset and puts big fish in the net. With authority.  Baits where that is benefical seem ideal.

A-Jay

What else are you using them for besides bladed jigs? Mid/deep cranks? Bigger Whopper Ploppers? 

[A-Jay]

Any 1/2 oz plus single hook moving bait. 

It's no secret that I like a Mod fast stick.

So where a lot of bassheads might prefer a MH or H fast graphite blank.  I prefer this deal. Including bottom contact baits.

A-Jay 

 

 

[Susky River Rat]

I am a tranx fan boy.

[Catt]

4 hours ago, JackstrawIII said:

Does anyone have experience with the Lews BB1 Pro for this use?

 

160 yds 50# braid

20# max drag 

6.7 ozs 

[Eric 26]

@JackstrawIII For what it’s worth 2 of the many reels mentioned here are being sold in the flea market currently both Daiwas by the same seller. I have zero affiliation with the seller btw.

[GaryH]

19 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

The lower $$ usually seems attached to reels with the handle on the wrong side (left).

I don't go that way, not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

A-Jay

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[JackstrawIII]

25 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

@JackstrawIII For what it’s worth 2 of the many reels mentioned here are being sold in the flea market currently both Daiwas by the same seller. I have zero affiliation with the seller btw.

I noticed that! But unfortunately I throw left handed and am looking for something with at least a 7.3:1 ratio. 

 

19 minutes ago, GaryH said:

20 hours ago, A-Jay said:

The lower $$ usually seems attached to reels with the handle on the wrong side (left).

I don't go that way, not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

A-Jay

Expand  

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I must admit I go that way #lefthandreels

[Eric 26]

@JackstrawIII 👍🏻 I’m with you on the use of left handed reels.

[JackstrawIII]

The first time I went fishing as a kid, my older cousin handed me a spinning rod with a left hand reel. I asked why I had to work the reel with my left hand. He said “you fight the fish with the rod, not the reel, so you want to hold the rod with your strong hand.”

 

30 years later, that still makes sense to me so I use left handed reels for casting and spinning. 

[WRB]

Check out the forum Flea Market, Daiwa Elite and Coastal are for sale👍

Tom

[JackstrawIII]

I watch the Flea Market religiously haha… but those are right hand retrieve reels. There’s another listing with some lefty reels, but they’re 6.3:1… and I’d like faster for this use. 
 

Thanks for looking out for me tho 👍🏻

[Huckfinn38]

On 1/8/2024 at 10:55 AM, JackstrawIII said:

Hey, this might be a simple question, but I'm looking for some recommendations for small, palmable, low profile reels that would hold up to consistent use for throwing frogs and such.

 

My favorite reels are smaller size Shimanos and I used an SLX XT to throw frogs and toads this year, but I don't think the drag is strong enough and I'd love a bit more leverage with a longer handle or something like that. I also worry about durability, though that might not actually be a problem. 

 

Basically, I'm looking for:

- Small size

- Strong drag

- Good leverage

- Durability

 

What smaller-size reels do you guys use for chucking frogs and toads? 

 

Thanks. 

Older model lews hypermag and Daiwa Tatula 80H