44 minutes ago, Bunnielab said:

What's the logic for using a casting reel for frogging then?  I assume it is a winching power issue, as I suspect you would need a surf-sized spinning reel to really pull a large bass through heavy pads?  

I have a surf reel spooled with 65lb pp and a 4'9" M boat rod, I might give it a try sometime.  

It'll dig on a spinning reel, too.  Though, I have set up several reel tuning customers with 5000 size spinning reels, and medium heavy power inshore rod, specifically for frogging.  They just weren't comfortable using casting gear, and muskie gear was too bulky.  Inshore tackle fit the bill.  It's not even a compromise, since it works just as well.  Just different.  I prefer the compact casting reel for this, and I would suppose most others do as well, which is why casting gear is the usual choice.  Plus, there just isn't the same availability locally for inshore tackle.  I mean, there's NOTHING like that here, but get closer to Long Island, and options open up.

Saw someone mention snakehead fishing with 80lb test braid,if it works for you do it,but I personally wouldn't go that heavy for those fish.Last month I caught a +30 inch,thick snakehead on 30lb powerpro braid with a 12lb test mono leader(was using a frog,snakeheads love frogs).Fish came in under 1 minute,it's all how you fight the fish,and light tackle fishing is very fun for these fish.

I use 50lb braid for frogs. Never noticed an issue with it digging in very bad.