Best Baitcasting Reel for topwater Frogs, Whopper Plopper style baits - under $250?

[tcbass]

I'm looking to get 2 new baitcasting reels for my topwater frog frogs. I normally use Booyah Padcrasher frogs and Whopper Ploppers. 

 

 

I have 2 Abu Garcia Revo Rockets (9:1) and I think sometimes their drags aren't the smoothest.

 

 

Wondering what the best baitcasting reel that's relatively fast reeling with good drag for under $250 each is.

 

 

A faster retrieval is also desired.

 

 

Thanks in advance.

[ne_dan]

Tatula 150 is pretty good.

[casts_by_fly]

JDM Zillion for $200-$210. If the bantam would come back down to that I’d say that (because I prefer that form factor). 
 

rick

[MediumMouthBass]

The Tatula 150 would be a great reel for the whopper ploppers, i have one on my smaller swimbait setups (1-2oz). It feels like its a tank, giant reel compared to my regular Tatulas in the hands but it gives me confidence in how its built if i were to hook a big one. That being said frogs arent very heavy in weight and i think my 150 would struggle casting them (not that it couldnt but i would wear myself out doing it over and over again for while).

I dont think you need a super super fast reel either, probably just an 8 would be good enough for most frog/whopper plopper fishing.

 

For the Frog reel checkout the Shimano SLX XT, Daiwa Fuego CT, Lews LFS. All of these come in an 8 speed ratio, put some braid on it and these can all throw frogs great and handle fighting fish in weeds/lily pads. They arent too expensive either, but i probably would go with the Fuego CT for that purpose just because even though i have several Lews reels i just dont like any of them except the BB1 Pro, that things amazing. And the Shimano XT just looks to nice to beat it up fishing the lily pads.

Fuego CT has alot of good reviews on here because its basically just a T-wingless Tatula with a different color. This Daiwa reel is also built like a tank and i just spooled mine up with 65lb braid last night for just this type of fishing.

 

Reason i kept my suggestions way under your budget is because these reels will look destroyed at the end of each season (atleast around where i fish). Plus more money saved = more money for lures.

[r83srock]

Tatula 150 is a very good reel, just large. Curado 200k is great too if there are still some left on shelves. I still use a Curado 200B for dedicated flipping.  
 

My number 1 though is the new Curado 200M. It’s everything the K series was without the fuss. It’s awesome.

[ABU is overpriced]

JDM zillion is so far ahead of everything else that it'd be a shame if you skipped it, and grabbed something inferior. All those Tats and Curados are nothing but toys compared to a JDM Zillion. A complete waste of money.

[WRB]

2 hours ago, tcbass said:

I'm looking to get 2 new baitcasting reels for my topwater frog frogs. I normally use Booyah Padcrasher frogs and Whopper Ploppers. 

 

 

I have 2 Abu Garcia Revo Rockets (9:1) and I think sometimes their drags aren't the smoothest.

 

 

Wondering what the best baitcasting reel that's relatively fast reeling with good drag for under $250 each is.

 

 

A faster retrieval is also desired.

 

 

Thanks in advance.

I would change the drags to Smooth Drags and have your reels professionally serviced by DVL,

Tom

[FishTank]

 

Another vote for the JDM Zillion. 

[tcbass]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

I would change the drags to Smooth Drags and have your reels professionally serviced by DVL,

Tom

 

 

 

How much would that cost?

 

 

2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

JDM zillion is so far ahead of everything else that it'd be a shame if you skipped it, and grabbed something inferior. All those Tats and Curados are nothing but toys compared to a JDM Zillion. A complete waste of money.

 

 

Do you have a link to a reputable place where they are cheaper because all of the ones I see are around $369?

[WRB]

Contact Mike @ DVL he is a site sponsor.

Cleaning and tunning reels usually runs about $35 each reel plus any parts as a ball park.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

22 minutes ago, tcbass said:

 

 

 

Do you have a link to a reputable place where they are cheaper because all of the ones I see are around $369?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NP3F5MV?smid=A3GZEOQINOCL0Y&psc=1

 

you’re looking at usdm, not jdm. 

[tcbass]

29 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NP3F5MV?smid=A3GZEOQINOCL0Y&psc=1

 

you’re looking at usdm, not jdm. 

 

 

Thanks. 

 

To make sure I order the right one, this is left handed in the pic?

 

I actually need a right handed one because I hold the rod with my left hand and reel with my right hand. 

 

 

 

[ABU is overpriced]

wow the 5.5 ratio is sub $200 lol. when has the fishing industry ever gotten a better deal? this is ridiculous, and i don't know how Daiwa is making money on these.

[bulldog1935]

clicking on the same link, 3 RH and 3 LH models are offered.  

Buy the hand you crank with - Right handle for right hand wind.  

[tcbass]

4 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

clicking on the same link, 3 RH and 3 LH models are offered.  

 

 

 

So, right handle is what I need?

[JediAmoeba]

I use the older model Tatula 100's which ate the frames for the current Tat 150's. 

 

For frogs and top water where I will have e bigger line on my reel I want a wider spool with a high gear ratio. On the Zillions, you will almost be spooling the reel and losing your IPT.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Thanks. 

 

To make sure I order the right one, this is left handed in the pic?

 

I actually need a right handed one because I hold the rod with my left hand and reel with my right hand. 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

clicking on the same link, 3 RH and 3 LH models are offered.  

Buy the hand you crank with - Right handle for right hand wind.  

what he said. Pick your gear ratio, pick your cranking hand and go. 

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, JediAmoeba said:

I use the older model Tatula 100's which ate the frames for the current Tat 150's. 

 

For frogs and top water where I will have e bigger line on my reel I want a wider spool with a high gear ratio. On the Zillions, you will almost be spooling the reel and losing your IPT.

 

 

What is IPT?

 

 

 

I only run 25lbs. Power Pro on my frog rods.

 

 

 

You're saying that the Zillion would not be a good reason for this but I don't understand why it wouldn't be.

 

 

Would the Zillion be ok then?

[bulldog1935]

IPT is a BR can of worms over-thought to silliness on thread after thread.  

[rangerjockey]

Honestly, Whatever reel in your budget that casts and retrieves. The reel on a Plopper rod would be the least of my concerns and it's not a bait your going to throw year 'round.

One is not going to catch and more fish than the other. Something in 7ish:1

 

[casts_by_fly]

On 4/5/2024 at 11:55 PM, tcbass said:

 

 

What is IPT?

 

 

 

I only run 25lbs. Power Pro on my frog rods.

 

 

 

You're saying that the Zillion would not be a good reason for this but I don't understand why it wouldn't be.

 

 

Would the Zillion be ok then?

you’ll get plenty of line on the reel with 25 lb PP. if you go to thicker mono then less so. I run 17 lb elite and there is just enough capacity.