i'm headed to the CA-Delta friday.  my bud will loan me a punch rig.  

 

he said, bring a topwater rig, and a frog rig!!  i had to go find my old Lews (it already has braid).  haha..i need to oil it, since it has been gathering dust at my office.  Point being. I don’t overthink my frog setup because I’m simply not super successful w it. 
 

On 5/12/2025 at 5:07 PM, woolleyfooley said:

Of note on the drag, I would think you still wouldn’t want to cinch the drag all the way down. Even with frogs. All that force from a heavy rod, heavy braid and thick hooks needs some give I would think. Maybe @Delaware Valley Tackle could share some insight?

The drag serves as protection for the rod and reel in addition to line and leaders (playing the fish). Granted to don’t want to give ground and let fish on frogs tie you up but loved down drags are more damaging than useful imo.  Drags can be adjusted tight enough to land fish and still enough give to protect equipment. 

10 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The drag serves as protection for the rod and reel in addition to line and leaders (playing the fish). Granted to don’t want to give ground and let fish on frogs tie you up but loved down drags are more damaging than useful imo.  Drags can be adjusted tight enough to land fish and still enough give to protect equipment. 

What’s your opinion on aluminum gears? Do they still hold up? Thanks for responding to my thread again

3 pages of responses and everything from the level wind, gears, frame materials and drag washers etc etc. have been discussed. 

 

To me nothing is more important than your thumb. I really don’t care what kind and how powerful my drag is. 
 

Using your thumb to lock a spool down if you’re into that, gives you the best way to adjust a set and retrieves without undo stress on anything especially for frog fishing. 

Then it’s just your rod, line and you 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

20 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The drag serves as protection for the rod and reel in addition to line and leaders (playing the fish). Granted to don’t want to give ground and let fish on frogs tie you up but loved down drags are more damaging than useful imo.  Drags can be adjusted tight enough to land fish and still enough give to protect equipment. 

That’s what I thought I remembered reading. Thanks for confirming!

2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

That’s what I thought I remembered reading. Thanks for confirming!

That’s what I thought too.

13 hours ago, Brycecover said:

What’s your opinion on aluminum gears? Do they still hold up? Thanks for responding to my thread again

Aluminum gears are better described as alloy. They are actually harder than brass and durable enough if not abused.