If you were buying a dedicated frogging reel…

[The Baron]

… what would you get?  I prefer sub $200-ish. 

 

I keep dialing in my combos and want to pickup a new frogging reel.  Right now I’m using a Curado DC 151 8:1.  I don’t need the DC feature and last good frogging day my drag was slipping when I had to really drag out of thick pads.  I do like the 8-speed, but will step down if that’s better for heavy pulling.

[r83srock]

I was going to suggest a Curado dc haha! A Curado 200m is great also, even beefier than the previous K.  
 

A Tatula 150 is a great frog reel also, but I know a new one is coming out with that CT frame. I used a Fuego ct for awhile also and had no issues. All I buy now are 8.1 reels and I have no issues.

[PhishLI]

17 hours ago, The Baron said:

I prefer sub $200-ish

Lew's Tournament Pro LFS Casting Reel | Tackle Warehouse

[ABU is overpriced]

Would grab a Bantam from Japan.

[Peacedivision]

Tatula elite 8 speed has served me well

[MiceNReets]

11 minutes ago, Peacedivision said:

Tatula elite 8 speed has served me well

That’s what I use or a ‘22 zillion hd.    I’d also suggest a jdm bantam 

[casts_by_fly]

Just order a JDM zillion for $205.

 

1 hour ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Would grab a Bantam from Japan.

 

I would also however they are $250-$260 last I checked.

[chubaka]

SLX has been treating me good. 

[Bankc]

It doesn't matter to me.  My frogging reel is an Abu Zata, which oddly enough, has a plastic frame.  But it's held up wonderfully for a few years now, so I'm convinced that isn't an issue. 

 

Some people like the lower ratio for stuff like this.  Other's don't care.  It's up to you. 

 

Make sure you don't have any grease or oil on your drag washers, as that can cause them to slip even when you really lock it down.  Also, make sure your line isn't slipping on the spool.  Though, at some point, any reel with drag is going to give when your pulling lily pads out of the bottom.  I'll often do that thing where I thumb the spool and lift the rod, and then reel up the slack while I drop the rod and repeat to work through dense salad.  Even if the reel didn't slip, it would be hard on my wrists to put that much force into such a tight turn. 

[webertime]

I've got all sorts of nice reels.  But for frogging I'd get a Fuego CT.  Deeper spool than sv spooled reels.  Spool axle is extended and supported throughout its length.  Like $90.  It's not sexy and that might be a bummer but a frog reel/set up just needs to work consistently.  

 

[T-Billy]

I'm gonna vote Lew's BB1 Pro 8 speed. Casts a mile, smooth, rugged, 20# drag. Everything I'd want in a frog reel. Mine has become my favorite pitching reel as well, beating out my Super Duty's, Pro SP's, and Zillion HD's for this technique.

[TNBankFishing]

8 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Would grab a Bantam from Japan.

Yes. Love my bantams for heavy power work. 

7 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Just order a JDM zillion for $205.

 

 

I would also however they are $250-$260 last I checked.

https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-22-bantam.html
 

$206. Check Digitaka and Asian portal

[Cgrinder]

Bantam XG. I actually like the first gen a little better for the heavy stuff.

 

I also have a US Zillion 8.5 that does fine with frogs. The Bantam is a better winch but the Zillion casts a range of weights better than either gen of Bantam.

 

However both of these reels are a little bit above your price range, new. The 24 Tatula 100 is worth checking out at around $135 shipped from Japan. 

[GReb]

I went through several before settling on an Abu STX. It’s small enough to palm well but has enough line capacity and an incredibly strong drag stack 

[FishTank]

Zillion HD would be my choice. Plenty of spool capacity, great drag, and lots of power. It has worked great the past two seasons. 

[JN94]

Tranx 150

[JackstrawIII]

On 7/26/2024 at 5:08 PM, T-Billy said:

I'm gonna vote Lew's BB1 Pro 8 speed.

I use one of these in a 7.5:1. It’s a very solid frog reel. 

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, JackstrawIII said:

I use one of these in a 7.5:1. It’s a very solid frog reel. 

Mine's a 7 speed also, but had I initially bought it for froggin or flippin I'd have got an 8 speed. I bought it to be a dedicated chatterbait reel, but it's currently on my 7'11" XH flippin stick. It also pulled duty on a MH muskie rod for awhile last year pulling smaller muskie cranks. The BB1 is an outstanding reel that excels at a lot of things.

[Brian11719]

Right now the Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS can be had for under $150. I don't own one of these specifically for frogging, but I do have one and can confirm it's a nice reel and the 8.3:1 gear ratio would probably be a good fit for throwing a frog. I actually just use a regular LFS for frogs w/ this gear ratio and have been happy with it.

[scbassin]

I agree on a JDM Bantam. I just received another one For $217 to my door in 4 days by FedEx.

[Bass Rutten]

With the newly added hyperdrive gears and available for just over $100 the 2024 tatula 100 seems like a no brainer for froggin

[txchaser]

I use a JDM zillion HD. Big handle on it, feels like it was made for heavy cover.

 

Before that a tatula 100 worked great. If you buy JDM pick up a new handle while you are at it, usually the JDM handles are smaller and that's probably not ideal for frogging.

[Mike L]

If it was me, I’d find a first generation BPS Pro Qualifier. They built like tanks. 
If you can get one in good condition in a 6 something ratio it will outlast you. 
 

I don’t like a high speed like a high 7 or 8 as you lose torque which is more important than retrieving speed to pull her up and out.  
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

 

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

On 7/26/2024 at 5:14 PM, TNBankFishing said:

Yes. Love my bantams for heavy power work. 

https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-22-bantam.html
 

$206. Check Digitaka and Asian portal

 

Yeah, those are my usual stops.  Digitaka is my first port of call since free shipping and their price is usually the same.  But they haven't had stock of so many reels for so long.

 

The JLS is a 6 speed last I looked.  If I were doing a dedicated swimbait rod then maybe, but for a frog rod or a pitching rod (which is what my two big rods are mostly used for) I don't want a slow reel.  I'd take an 8 over a 7.

 

On 7/28/2024 at 5:47 PM, scbassin said:

I agree on a JDM Bantam. I just received another one For $217 to my door in 4 days by FedEx.

 

Was it a 7 or 8 speed and mind if I ask where?

[scbassin]

8 speed Digitaka