3 hours ago, the reel ess said:

Whatever works for you. But I have a hard time reeling left-handed. I cast with both hands, right on the reel spool, then crank with my right. If you find the other way better, by all means do so. You have to do what you're comfy with.

I started with a spinning reel too that was left hand retrieve so I fish that way all the time now. The make baitcasters left handed too, but you’ll be hard pressed finding them at your price point. 

3 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

I started with a spinning reel too that was left hand retrieve so I fish that way all the time now. The make baitcasters left handed too, but you’ll be hard pressed finding them at your price point. 

Too bad Scheels sold out of their Pflueger Supreme left-handed reels...they had them at discount to $69.

One of the biggest benefits of braid while frog fishing is the hookset. While not impossible, it is far more difficult to collapse a frog and get those giant hooks in a fish with stretchy line. I have talked to 2 people who claimed that "frogs aren't worth the trouble" because their hookup ratio was so bad. Both were using mono. I convinced 1 of them to try braid and now he loves frogs.

Yep, you can't throw a frog on a spinning rod, it just won't work.

My suggestion would be to stick with what you got right now.  How much fishing you got left for the season?  2 months?  When you're done for the season, do your research.  Find out what makes a good Frog set up and  target that.  In the meantime, go to stores and hold reels.  Put them on a rod and see how they feel.  You might want a righty, you might want a lefty.  You've never used a BC before and the middle of the season is NOT the time to learn.  It will frustrate you and you will put it down and never use it.  Learn how when the snow is flying and there is nothing stake.  For now, go fish what you like, relax, and enjoy.  There is no right or wrong.  If you're enjoying what you're doing and catching fish, you're fine.  

On 8/19/2021 at 1:22 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Yep, you can't throw a frog on a spinning rod, it just won't work.

Is that a Dobyn's Colt spinning rod?

7 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Is that a Dobyn's Colt spinning rod?

No it's a Lightning Rod Shock.

15 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

No it's a Lightning Rod Shock.

I got a Lightning rod 3 years ago for Father’s Day. I love that thing 

I just bought an Ugly Stilk, 7 Ft  2 piece mh, food $39.00 (I love them.). And a $99.00 Less, ( 10 bearings 8:1.) Now that I'd in your$100. Price range. I wanted two things from my purchase.

- A pole for frogs, and something I could keep in the trunk of car. It is supposed to be a very good reel.

https://tinyurl.com/yk6thcex

 

Jim

On 8/18/2021 at 2:34 PM, Brett's_daddy said:

Go to Americanfishinglegacy.com and get yourself a Shimano SLX combo, rod & reel for $140 shipped. Get the 7.2:1 gear ratio casting reel and the 7'2" Heavy casting rod and you'll be golden!!!

I was getting ready to say this exact same thing.  They have the best deals on SLX combos.  When i wanted to try baitcasters for the first time just a couple of years ago I picked one up to see if I liked it.  I fell in love.  I never use the combo anymore, because after i got hooked i started buying higher end stuff, but it is a great combo.  You will get 10% off your first order as well, which I did when i got mine, so about 125 all in.  

 

Also if you pick one up from them get some sunline xplasma braid in 50lb from them.  They have the best sunline prices i have seen and this is my new favorite braid.  It has replaced powerpro ssv2 on all of my rigs and is cheaper when purchased from ***.