thebillsman

If you are looking for a suspending jerkbait to fish in shallow water then I would find the cheapest option(s) possible. You won't be ripping your hair out when you get snagged. Luck-e-Strike STXs, the KVDs, Baker JLDs, twitchin sticks.. I like trick darters and squad minnows but can't afford to fish them shallow.

Either way, both are pretty fast. I was in the same situation when I was shopping the Curado 70. You're in a weird situation because small jigs, worms and senkos often pair well with extra fast ratios but spinnerbaits, jerkbait and rattle baits usually do well with slower reels. If I were you, I'd go with the HG. I honestly don't think you could go wrong with either. The HG is still 7.4:1. The only difference I think in the HG and XG that might be noticeable is the handle length. If I'm not mistake the XG handle is a 96mm handle?

Last month I threw a 90 Perch and had no luck for a good hour.

Have you tried fluorocarbon?

Owner Mosquito 2/0 for me.

I use a 7'3" MH/F for my topwater stuff.

A Pennsylvania Autumn is a Texas winter!

What lure/bait are you using? I always go with a San Diego Jam knot with fluoro line.

That's a lot of movement for the water temperature dropping.. I start to move a little slower when fall comes around; jigs, jerkbaits, and working frogs slowly.

Are you bending out the hooks at all? How soft is the hollow body you are using?

Love froggin. I fish the Pad Crashers in Bullfrog and Dart (black). I do three things when fishing frogs. First, a slow paced walk the dog with big side to side movement, but you must be aware of the slack line. Next, a steady retrieve flicking the frog back to the boat, causing a lot of commotion bobbing on top of the water. And last, steady pulls. Pull 8", sit, pull 8" sit, and so on. In an attempt to mimick a swimming frog. I have most of my luck early in the AM. Top water is the best and fishing frogs is definitely and acquired skill.

Mail me some, you're secret is safe

TransOptic is right between the two, love the stuff.

I can reinforce all your to sentiments about the reel. I was looking for a low-profile, quality reel that could handle pitching jigs and fishing frogs. I've always opted for Lew's because of their smaller design but the 70HG is nearly identical in size. I always want to like the Curado's but they were just too large for me, I never understood the appeal of having a 200 for freshwater. That said, the 70HG has been great. I have it spooled with 50lb FX2 and its a good performer. Like you said, I had to tune it a little bit for the first 10 casts but since then its been flawless. More often than not its on frog duty or bumping shakey head + trailers (~1/2oz all together) and I have no complaints, besides the fact the spool tension knob doesn't click.. I always like that about the Lew's reels. I will most definitely have a few more of these in the future, and would recommend it to anybody that is looking for a smaller profile reel.

I got my 70HG on eBay.. won the auction and couldn't say no to the price. Love the reel so far!

I have the same experience. FX2 in 50lb test is about the same as many other brands' 30lb test at .012mm. Heavy hooksets and battling snags.. sure it can dig, but again in New England you're not pulling 11 pound toads out of the thick.

Any braided line can dig. It's a matter of how its spooled, not the line. Many anglers can use 30lb and be free of digging issues. FX2 is incredibly thin for its test. There is no need for 80lb test in New England, total overkill.

50lb Sunline FX2

In the northeast I think you would be fine with a MH/F. Unless you are fishing in the slop for double digit bass (ie. Alabama, florida etc..) a heavy might be overkill.

it'll float up one day..

HA!

a mix of TW and DSG: Okuma Backpack Keitech Impact Fats in bluegill flash and pro staff Owner football shakey heads 1/4oz gama 1/8oz swimbait hooks with a 3/0 6th Sense oval split rings VMC marabou hair jig

Keitech Crazy Flapper on an 1/8 ounce Owner Ultrahead

I'd stick with fast if you're looking for a more versatile rod.

Threw it all morning at a 4 acre reservoir with no luck.