Looking to get a 600$ baitcasting combo for all round pitching and even some light frogging. ive been looking at the curado 150mgl and the expride, but if theres anything better at this price point let me know 

Lew's custom lite and a Dobyns 

Zodias and metanium

It depends how heavy the cover is while frogging. You said light frogging so I'll go with the Dobyns Champion XP DC 735 C  Full Handle $270 with a Shimano 2021 Scorpion DC XG about $215 at Digitaki or Asian Portal I have 2 of these set ups & if the cover is heavy I have 3 of these set ups Dobyns Champion XP DC 736 C Full Handle $270 same reels. The difference in the rods is the 735 is a 5 power & the 736 is a 6 power. I frog fish a lot & use assorted hollow body frogs with the DC 736 C for the better power to get a better hook set with the double hook. With baits like the Zoom Horny I use the 5 power. The reason for all those 5 rods is the different style of baits. This way I am not having to retie a different style on so often. One 6 power has a 3:16 No Bullfrog tied on all the time. If you are into frog fishing & fish in real heavy cover using that frog, you know why. 

For light frogging I use an ALX Toadface, and a Tatula Elite pitch/flip reel. I use with swim jigs too, that I do occasionally flip as well.  

I'm a firm believer that the rod is more important than the reel.  Buying a jdm zillion @ $240 (digitaka) and pairing it with a $350 rod would be a good move.  I'm a rod junky though, and would take it a step further and pick up a Poison Glorious 7'H ($500) and slap a fuego on it ?

+1 ^^

 

Kistler Helium 7'3" HMH

A reel. 

 

If it were me, I'd get a Quantum Smoke S3 from ebay and use the remaining $30 for line.

 

Denali makes a sweet 7’4” frog rod in the lithium pro line that is my go to pitching rod as well…..it’s a heavy with a little give in the tip that makes throwing light hollow bodies easy.

Expride all the way, phenomenal rods. Any Shimano reel from the Curado on up will be sweet as well. With your budget you really can’t go wrong no matter what you get. Choose any of the suggested combos and you’ll be happy

9 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

For light frogging I use an ALX Toadface, and a Tatula Elite pitch/flip reel. I use with swim jigs too, that I do occasionally flip as well.  

Agree the ALX Zolo Toadface is ideal for this application and would consider Daiwa Zillion TWSV G reel within your budget.

Tom

14 hours ago, futureworldrecordholder said:

Looking to get a 600$ baitcasting combo for all round pitching and even some light frogging. ive been looking at the curado 150mgl and the expride, but if theres anything better at this price point let me know 

i think you are right on the money. in fact i have 4 of those exact combos in the locker. buy some baits with the few dollars under 600 you save.

If mixing the brands don’t get odd to you, then an Expride with a Tatula Elite is an amazing combination. That will be under $600 and is hard to beat. 

I would get a Dobyns Champion extreme 745 or 746 and a Daiwa Zillion from digitaka. I have the 745 and the Daiwa Elite P/F and it’s amazing for pitching. 
Not enough line for bombing frogs imo though. 

Above my price, but that doesn't stop me from reading and dreaming.  From what I've read many feel the Expride fishes like a $400 rod.  I'd also consider Tom's suggestion of the Toadface.  I've only had mine out once or twice (had a frog on), so I can't really give an informed opinion, but I read the owner of ALX rods keeps 4 or 5 on his boat at all times because it is such a versatile rod.

 

From what I've read the new Zillion is a fantastic reel.  The Elite is also great.  No experience with the new Curados.  Mine are the 'E' series and are excellent reels.  Everyone seems to love the MGL spool.  Although I've purchased 3 with the MGL spool, I've yet to get out with one.    The couple times I've made it out this year I took some of my older favorite combos.

Out of what I own, big fan of Steez power pitch, ExprideA XH's, and MB Tequila Baccarac.  Paired with a JDM 18 Bantam or JDM Zillion HD.  Digitaka and ALF/TW can get you the Zillion and Expride below budget.

 

scott

    It happened again.  I'm not in the market for a reel, but now that I read this thread, the Bait Monkey is climbing on my back speaking in Japanese and screaming Zillion Zillion Zillion.  The last time this happened a couple weeks ago, my wife had to use the silent treatment to get him to leave.  The silent treatment is not fun for the Monkey or me.  To make matters worse the Monkey is now starting to whisper Expride too.  Just a whisper now, but that is how it always starts.

9 hours ago, king fisher said:

    It happened again.  I'm not in the market for a reel, but now that I read this thread, the Bait Monkey is climbing on my back speaking in Japanese and screaming Zillion Zillion Zillion.  The last time this happened a couple weeks ago, my wife had to use the silent treatment to get him to leave.  The silent treatment is not fun for the Monkey or me.  To make matters worse the Monkey is now starting to whisper Expride too.  Just a whisper now, but that is how it always starts.

Said it before and I’ll say it again.  Have your gear sent to the neighbors house.  Just make sure the wife isn’t good friends or you’ll be in even bigger do do.