TackleTour

I live in LaCrosse WI and if some of you have watched the elites or MLF when they were here, we do ALOT of frogging. I have several frogging setups, but my main two are a dobyns 735C for more open water stuff and a 736C for the slop. Over the years I have torched several bait casters frogging and a few years back i picked up the shimano 201IHG and thought it would hold up to the abuse and it just didn't. I completely strip down, clean, oil and grease my reels every year but i just haven't gotten one that will hold up to lock down drag horsing fish out of slop. I'm looking for suggestions on a frogging specific reel running 65lb braid that will hold up to years of abuse, can cast a mile, at least 7.3:1, and doesn't weigh a ton.

I know we got a lot of ballers on this forum, but i wan't to keep it under $200 for the reel. No used reels. I'm not brand specific but i have run shimano, lews and diawa and like all ok, curious about what 13 fishing has to offer.

A TD Zillion platform would be near the top of my list, probably an SV103, TD Zillion Type R or Megabass IP79. An older Japan made Shimano may be an option too.

X2 on Zillion platform

If you'll buy a Calais DC7, you're done buying frog reels.

I use a revo rocket for frogging.

Shimano Exscence DC. Not the new version that costs a fortune but the prior model. Robust frame, powerful drag and gears and a fast ratio plus it can get after it for distance.

Those 13 Fishing reels have 20lbs of drag, not sure what other LP bass reel is going to hang with that. They might be your ticket. Or maybe a Lews BB1 Pro.

If you are staying under $200, an original Zillion TWS is a good cheap choice. I know they don't get the best talk, but I have seen them really worked over for years and still stay fine. Check out Tackle Tour's review on their drag strength, yes they are an upgraded original Tatula, but I have seen them as low as $130 NIB.

Also, just my honest opinion, the Lew's BB1 Pro is a great reel, on the other hand though I don't think 13 reels do well with abuse. I have a buddy who is a moderate tournament angler and have watched his handles spin backwards setting the hook on a Concept C (think that is the white one) w/ 14lb Sniper and a small jig, 1lb bass. He owned 3, 2 for jigs and 1 for cranking, the anti reverse went out on all three within a year...

search this model number on the big auction site.

ZLNTW100HSL

you'll see a guy selling them for $199.54

I'd say the Zillion TWS. I'd use a 9.1 if you can find one. Really helps reduce the time when your frog is in that "dead water". Seems like a small amount but it adds up, especially if you pull a frog away from a fish too soon, you can hurry up and cast it back to the same spot for the follow up strike.

If you can find one the old Revo Premier Gen 2 makes a very good frogging reel. Good line capacity, great drag, and smooth as most reels on the market.

I use this Lew's reel to winch fish out of the slop on the CA Delta:
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_BB- ... -BBOP.html

Another Zillion fan. I use an IP 68. The 6.8:1 gears are plenty fast.

Zillion Type R is the ultimate frog reel., It is a work horse. Both my frog setups have them.

I'd say a Zillion TWS, too, but I'd go with the 7.3. I feel like the 9.1 is great for flipping and pitching, but if you can't pull the fish out using the rod and are having to winch it out with the reel you'll burn those gears up, too. That goes for about any reel, but the 7.3 will outlast about any other reel in thay dept while still being fast enough to move your bait around and turn fish. Remember, the 36mm means the 7.3 is effectively the same speed as a 7.9 with a 34mm spool.