I’m looking for a new reel to fish frogs. How much do aluminum side plates or a dual supported pinion matter? What reels do you recommend? I’m willing to buy from Japan if there are better options. I’ve been looking at some tatula and shimanos. 

I have a Curado that's a good 15 years old.

 

Works perfect.

 

I don't think you have to spend high dollars just tossing a frog around.

22 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I don't think you have to spend high dollars just tossing a frog around.

Same I run an Abu STX. Strong drag, holds enough line, and most importantly comfortable in the palm. On frog hook sets having a good grip is important

I've always used an ABU C series.(round ones like the old ambassador)   I fish 50-60# green braid only (tie direct) on frogs.   (as line color fades to light, I take a black marker and darken it)   I use backing to get max distance.   I use an 8' flippin stick.  I can cast it a mile with this setup and haul them out even with a wad of grass wrapped.   Best to stay off the pad and cast way in to bank.   Helps if wind blowing into.   If they don't go on top, then a weedless rigged jig or worm to the holes.   Drop it in, and "tickle" the weeds - reel up until bait contacts the weed, then twitch so the weed moves.

ps: I find it best to move the frog with the tip in kind of a small up/down hopping motion and reeling up the slack as I go.   That up and down vibration seems to trigger bites better, much like "shaking" a worm.  [Better than walking -my opinion].  I learned that way back in the early '60s in OH pond fishing when worms(Creme and plow jockey type rigs) were just taking off and we didn't really know how to fish them yet.   I was watching some pro on TV at Hartwell the other day and he actually taps the rod real hard to impart that motion.   It was quite noisy/obnoxious.   I fish Hartwell a lot since 2008.   I was there yesterday.   Not much frogging on Hartwell.   I hope to get back to Champlain this summer and feed my topside addiction.

 

I'd just get the curado 8 speed and be done personally.  I don't dislike my 7:3:1 curado 200 but when it dies or I get bored it's getting upgraded to a curado 150 8 speed.  They just feel more sturdy and frog reels tend to accumulate a lot of junk and having the reel be 8 speed does not hurt one bit these days.  Fish will bite down really well on a long cast and you've got a split second to reel a good bit of slack out and set that hook and a few extra inches per turn can indeed mean more hooked fish.

I've been very happy with the 7.5 speed Lew's BB1 Pro. It has a very strong drag and the actual inches per turn is quite high, despite only being a 7.5 speed. 

I agree with others that you really don't need a fancy or expensive reel for frogging. I'm still using the Piscifun Spark Pro I bought 5 years ago for $50. I like the shallow spool with braid and the 8:1 ratio really helps me catch up to a fish or get the frog in quick once I'm out of the strike zone. All that being said, it's probably the next reel to be upgraded in my arsenal. 

Use original tatula for frog reel

I use all my baitcasters for fishing frogs as long as the gear ratio is at least 7/1 to pick up line and keep up with fish that swim toward you.

 

I believe some of my Okuma's and Old President are only 6/3 and they work fine. Plenty of power and have never had a problem picking up line for a hookset. 

 

Can't go wrong with anything Daiwa or Shimano even the entry level. 

 

 

So apparently a good frog reel has a fast levelwind? How do I tell which reels have fast levelwinds? I have a Lew’s team lite that I use as a frog reel and it works fine. 

Apologies to the OP as I don’t mean to hijack the thread.

Nearly any reasonably good quality reel will be fine. I've used tatula SV which is seriously built for the opposite of this. Worked fine. Tatula 100, worked fine. 

 

With that said, the JDM only Zillion HD is built for frogging. Big handle and knobs, built like a tank.  I never want to go back.

 

@woolleyfooley look for 8.1x or higher. It's nice to get the frog back fast over water you aren't going to fish. But IMO it doesn't matter that much really. Yeah pick the 8 if you are buying a reel just for this presentation. Otherwise don't sweat it.

Zillion HD gets my vote. Solid, great all around reel.  

 

My personal favorite though for frogs, is a 2012 Shimano Antares.  It's a true tank of a reel. 

I currently use a Lews speed spool LFS 7.1

its a workhorse and I hit it on sale for $59.  But if I ever do it again I’d like a Shimano slx. I have a slx70 on my Texas rig/swim jig finesse rod. And I think Shimano 150 size reel is more comfortable than the Lews. Maybe I’ll be a big boy and get the curado lol

Any fast reel will do. Get your favorite and have fun. 

Any 34mm spool 6:1 plastic framed baitcast reel will do.  I prefer a faster ratio, aluminum frame and handle side plate with a 100mm handle.   Bonus for a longer casting braking profile since I do a lot of frogging from the bank.  

Shimano SLX is great for the price and very durable if you’re looking for a baitcast, so i would highly recommend it! Im not sure if this is just me but i personally prefer to throw frogs on spinning reel (I'm not sure why i just always have) so i would suggest a Shimano Stella, they are quite expensive but they are awesome when you are using really heavy braid while frogging!

Abu Revo SX Rocket.

Curado 200 M would be my vote. Get the 8:1. This reel is a workhorse and I love the oversized handle. It is fantastic for winching fish out of heavy cover.

 

4 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Any 34mm spool 6:1 plastic framed baitcast reel will do.  I prefer a faster ratio, aluminum frame and handle side plate with a 100mm handle.   Bonus for a longer casting braking profile since I do a lot of frogging from the bank.  

So which reel do you go with for the longer casting braking system and the aluminum handle side plate 

15 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

So which reel do you go with for the longer casting braking system and the aluminum handle side plate 

Bantam, 20 HRF PE Special or the 25 Tatula 150.  JDM Zillion HD is also good.  Steez HLC and Metanium for high end options.  Don't overlook the Catalina TW for a used option or last gen Tatula 150s.  

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

Bantam, 20 HRF PE Special or the 25 Tatula 150.  JDM Zillion HD is also good.  Steez HLC and Metanium for high end options.  Don't overlook the Catalina TW for a used option or last gen Tatula 150s.  

I was almost set on the new tatula 150, but I generally don’t like bigger and heavier reels. I loved the new 100 frame in store but the 150 looks like it has a 200 size frame judging by the weight at 7.9 ounces being the same as the 200. Maybe I should try a tatula elite? Although those have been out a long time now. I just wanted to try at least 1 more daiwa after how much I like my zillion. I could probably get 2 reels if they’re not too expensive.    

I switched to the KastKing Deadbolt. No drag on this one. Great price and going on two years of Texas bass. I picked up another one to flip with.

150-200 size reel. 7:1 - 8:1 gear ratio. 50-65 lb straight braid, full spool. Done. 

17 hours ago, RB 77 said:

150-200 size reel. 7:1 - 8:1 gear ratio. 50-65 lb straight braid, full spool. Done. 

Would a tatula elite be good? Found one on eBay for 150 brand new. 

21 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

Would a tatula elite be good? Found one on eBay for 150 brand new.