Best Frog Reel 2024
Michiganbasser reply :
I was wondering what in your guy's opinion is the top three frog reels. I am a die hard Abu fan and was thinking about the rocket. But I want to hear from you guys first. Keep it under $300
Catch and Grease reply :
I like the diawa tatula. but I haven't used any reels around 300$.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Frog fishing doesn't require anything more than any other heavy cover application, ie: metal frame, good drag, good casting. Pretty much any of the $125> reels out there meet these requirements. Gear ratio is strictly preference. I don't see the need for a super fast reel here personally.
Master Bait'r reply :
I use a BB1 Pro and enjoy it immensely. Screw the country mile, that thing casts frogs over the horizon haha.
It's really preference though, lots of great reels in that price range. I'd go 7.1:1 or more but again that's preference. I just like to be able to keep my slack up when I'm walking without spinning myself out. You don't need a rocket though, just go for something that has a good heavy drag, wide spool and a fasterish ratio and you're good IMO.
David P reply :
On 10/7/2014 at 8:26 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:Frog fishing doesn't require anything more than any other heavy cover application, ie: metal frame, good drag, good casting. Pretty much any of the $125> reels out there meet these requirements. Gear ratio is strictly preference. I don't see the need for a super fast reel here personally.
Preference?
Top water bites can create a good deal of slack in your line, setting the hook quickly without reeling in all of your slack line could result in less than solid hook set... Higher the speed, more line is picked up quicker, better chance of solid hook penetration.. More than just personal preference in my opinion.
I used high speed STX reels for a few years, then went to Premier High Speeds, then to the MGX and once the Revo Rocket came out I went that route, and hookup ratio has only gotten better. Going from high speed to a regular 6.4:1 you can feel the difference when setting the hook.
aavery2 reply :
I use the Gen 2 Revo STX 6.4:1. Like DVT I don't find the need for a super high IPT when working a frog, this reel retrieves more than enough line for good slack line management IMO.
bootytrain reply :
Treat yourself and get a Shimano Exsence DC.
J Francho reply :
My buddy has a Rocket. His intention was using it for frogging, but went back to his Viento. The Rocket didn't have enough torque, as he put it. I used it to see, and didn't have too much issue with it, but YMMV. As long as it's reasonably quick, has a strong drag, gears, and metal frame, it should work fine.
BasshunterJGH reply :
x2 the type r 8.1:1 is perfect for frogging.On 10/7/2014 at 8:18 PM, Catch and Grease said:I like the diawa tatula. but I haven't used any reels around 300$.
CWB reply :
Quantum Smoke 150 7.1:1.
DTack reply :
On 10/7/2014 at 11:18 PM, David P said:Preference?
Top water bites can create a good deal of slack in your line, setting the hook quickly without reeling in all of your slack line could result in less than solid hook set... Higher the speed, more line is picked up quicker, better chance of solid hook penetration.. More than just personal preference in my opinion.
I used high speed STX reels for a few years, then went to Premier High Speeds, then to the MGX and once the Revo Rocket came out I went that route, and hookup ratio has only gotten better. Going from high speed to a regular 6.4:1 you can feel the difference when setting the hook.
Covered and done. Make sure you have a strong drag on a fast reel and you're good in my eyes. My current preference is the Type R Tatula.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Chronarch C14 7.6:1 is my choice.
Swampstud reply :
The faster retrieve ratios make it easier to get the fish up top of the pads or mats and keep em coming. Whats easier 100 cranks or 75 cranks with a fish on the end. Its tougher to get em out once they wrap there head in a few stems which is why you want to pull em right out an go!
aavery2 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:02 AM, Swampstud said:The faster retrieve ratios make it easier to get the fish up top of the pads or mats and keep em coming. Whats easier 100 cranks or 75 cranks with a fish on the end. Its tougher to get em out once they wrap there head in a few stems which is why you want to pull em right out an go!
While I understand your logic,do you crank the fish to the top of the mat or use your rod to move the fish?
illinifan4152 reply :
Shimano Chronarch 200e7 or Curado 200e7 is perfect... Cheers!
MarkH024 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:14 AM, illinifan4152 said:Curado 200e7 is perfect... Cheers!
That is my frog reel. I can bomb a frog with it, plenty of power, plenty of spool capacity, and an upgraded drag for $8.00. This will be my frog reel for life until I physically destroy it some how.
David P reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:09 AM, aavery2 said:While I understand your logic,do you crank the fish to the top of the mat or use your rod to move the fish?
Your rod tip should stay high, and use the reel to bring the fish in. Each time you lower your rod tip and give even the slightest bit of slack in the line, you're risking a lost fish. If the stuff is too thick to reel the fish out, I will go in after it with the boat, instead of lower my rod tip and pull on the fish with the rod.
aavery2 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:54 AM, David P said:Your rod tip should stay high, and use the reel to bring the fish in. Each time you lower your rod tip and give even the slightest bit of slack in the line, you're risking a lost fish. If the stuff is too thick to reel the fish out, I will go in after it with the boat, instead of lower my rod tip and pull on the fish with the rod.
So your saying you move the fish with your reel? Anyone else using this method of moving fish out of cover? Seems odd to me, what is the purpose of a XH rod in a longer length if you are moving the fish with the reel?
David P reply :
I keep my rod tip high. I don't lower the tip to reel in slack and then pull on them out of cover. Usually I can get them out of the mat with getting them to the top, and then quickly reeling them over top of the vegetation. If the fish is stuck down there, I go in after it. Rather not lose an 8 or 10lb frog fish because I allowed slack in the line and tried horsing it out.
In open water, yes, I always move the fish with my reel. I keep my rod tip high. I do not lift my rod tip up and down pulling the fish with the rod then reeling in slack line. Constant pressure whether it be open water or heavy cover helps.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
That's one way of doing it, but "should" is debatable. It's much more mechanically efficient to move the fish with the rod and simple to take up line without putting slack in the line. Hold a rod too high and start cranking too much weight and next thing you know you've got a broken rod just like high-sticking a hookset.
David P reply :
The Extra Heavy rod helps me set the hook hard on a bait that has two stout hooks on it and plastic in the way, not to mention many times one or multiple types of vegetation in the way. Stouter rod helps with the overall hook penetration. The longer length allows to move more line on the hook set (another thing along with the high speed reel that helps counteract the slack that a big top water blow up can put in your line). Longer length also allows for longer casts (out here, fish are spooky, I cast onto mats from quite a distance).
aavery2 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 6:55 AM, David P said:I keep my rod tip high. I don't lower the tip to reel in slack and then pull on them out of cover. Usually I can get them out of the mat with getting them to the top, and then quickly reeling them over top of the vegetation. If the fish is stuck down there, I go in after it. Rather not lose an 8 or 10lb frog fish because I allowed slack in the line and tried horsing it out.
In open water, yes, I always move the fish with my reel. I keep my rod tip high. I do not lift my rod tip up and down pulling the fish with the rod then reeling in slack line. Constant pressure whether it be open water or heavy cover helps.
I hold the tip high and use the reel to ski the fish across the water when in heavy cover, but I use the rod to initially bring the fish up out of the cover. Lots of ways to skin a cat.
aavery2 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 7:01 AM, David P said:The Extra Heavy rod helps me set the hook hard on a bait that has two stout hooks on it and plastic in the way, not to mention many times one or multiple types of vegetation in the way. Stouter rod helps with the overall hook penetration. The longer length allows to move more line on the hook set (another thing along with the high speed reel that helps counteract the slack that a big top water blow up can put in your line). Longer length also allows for longer casts (out here, fish are spooky, I cast onto mats from quite a distance).
Sounds like you have a system that works for you and that is all that is important.
David P reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 6:56 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:That's one way of doing it, but "should" is debatable. It's much more mechanically efficient to move the fish with the rod and simple to take up line without putting slack in the line. Hold a rod too high and start cranking too much weight and next thing you know you've got a broken rod just like high-sticking a hookset.
Not holding the rod tip at 12 oclock and maybe that's my bad for not clarifying that. But allowing slack in your line or pointing your rod tip down at the water to then pull on the fish and then reel in slack is what loses fishes. Lowering the rod tip slightly while reeling the fish as long as there's constant pressure is fine. I just don't lower my rod tip down and then back up to reel in slack line and have seen way too many big fish lost from this maneuver.
Swampstud reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:09 AM, aavery2 said:While I understand your logic,do you crank the fish to the top of the mat or use your rod to move the fish?
The long stiff rod and a heavy hookset gets em up on top that fast reel keeps em movin. Trust me! Its a workout sometimes just to keep em up, the bigguns that is.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 4:14 AM, illinifan4152 said:Shimano Chronarch 200e7 or Curado 200e7 is perfect... Cheers!
I use a 200E7 Curado for mine, works great.
Grantman83 reply :
Lew's super duty 8.1:1 or zillion type r baby
DTack reply :
On 10/8/2014 at 7:10 AM, David P said:Not holding the rod tip at 12 oclock and maybe that's my bad for not clarifying that. But allowing slack in your line or pointing your rod tip down at the water to then pull on the fish and then reel in slack is what loses fishes. Lowering the rod tip slightly while reeling the fish as long as there's constant pressure is fine. I just don't lower my rod tip down and then back up to reel in slack line and have seen way too many big fish lost from this maneuver.
Yeah, it might be "mechanically" more efficient.. But I will stick with what works when it comes to landing 5-11 lb fish out of heavy cover and mats. David has plenty of experience with that so I will stick with his methods as they work for me as well. Keep the fish pinned with the rod and grind it back with the reel. Unless you're fishing a tournament against us... Then go ahead and drop the rod haha.
J Francho reply :
I guess I do a bit of both. I'm most definitely NOT giving the fish slack when I reel down and pump the fish, though. I think that's a misnomer, or if you are getting slack, it's bad technique. One thing, I rarely lose a hooked frog fish. If it's well hooked, they usually stay pinned.
IAY reply :
If you are spending 300 dollars and don't mind an import, then excense dc is as nice as it is going to get at that price range(well actually any price range).
Ratherbfishing reply :
IMHO, just about any baitcaster whose drag doesn't slip too easily is a decent candidate.
Jay Ell Gee reply :
Lots of "decent" advice here, but the ultimate frog reel, in my opinion, is often overlooked.
http://m.basspro.com/Daiwa-Dendoh-Marine-Power-MP3000-PowerAssist-Reel/product/89331/
88lbs of drag and enough line capacity to fire your frog from a rifle and still not spool it.
You can never be too prepared when it comes to frog fishing.
As a bonus, it's makes a great vertical punching reel.
*drops mic*
J Francho reply :
LOL, it's only 12 lbs.
"I don't always weigh my reels, but when I do, I express it in pounds."
Jay Ell Gee reply :
That's some good stuff right there. 196 oz? Should balance well on an NRX 7'7 Mag Heavy. It would have to be the 7'7, though. A bit too heavy to balance the 7'5. Balance is important!On 10/10/2014 at 10:54 PM, J Francho said:LOL, it's only 12 lbs.
"I don't always weigh my reels, but when I do, I express it in pounds."
To get back on track though, I use a Lew's Tourney MG 7.1 That I bought from a guy here on BR for like sixty bucks. It has been an awesome reel and has stood up to a lot of abuse.
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