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Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:09 am
by freelancer27
Hi all,

looking for a sub 250 USD reel for for frogging and pitching. I want to run heavier braid on the reel.

Requirements are:

* Sturdy
* Light (sub 8oz)
* Casting ability with braid
* bonus: salt water safe
* very fast gear ratio
* Left hand retrieve
* Cost under 250


Possible candidates:

* Lew's BB-1 Pro Series

* Daiwa Tatula SV TWS

* Daiwa SV Casting Reel 103XSL

* Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R

* Daiwa Tatula Casting


Thanks all.

Cheers,
Seb.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:37 am
by Big-Bass
SV103. Honestly buy it while you can and you would be pleased you did! A classic reel which is developing quite a following.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:21 pm
by Hobie-Wan Kenobi
The Tatula SV TW is a great reel. They can be had for cheap on the auction site. I was frogging today with the 8.1. Handles fish well. Casts great too.

The Zillion TWS 9.1 would be a good option as well. I have used it for frogging but I use mine for punching.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:40 pm
by DirtyD64
Daiwa SV103 by far, especially while they are on sale. Going to be the strongest you mentioned due to the aluminum side plate and aluminum frame.

For the others:
BB1PRO = nice reel, not nearly as refined as my Daiwa's, sold mine for money to put toward my second (and now third pissibly) Zillion SV TW.
Tatula SV = great reel, not as refined, strong, smooth, or long casting as the SV103 though, from my tests, the Tatula SV is slightly over braked but highly unlikely to backlash. Still a solid reel, but lacks aluminum sideplate (handle side) and only has single bearing pinion support.
Tatula CT Type R = for the lure style/sizes you mentioned, this would probably be better than the Tatula SV, it shouldn't choke the long casting ability as bad because of magforce Z.
Tatula CT = good reel, identical to the type R but a heavier spool means shorter casts and less light lure casting abilities. Also the brakes don't seem to work as well with heavier spools.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 6:42 pm
by LgMouthGambler
SV103XS.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:46 pm
by Rippin-lips
SV103XS

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:37 pm
by freelancer27
Thanks all,

I am wondering if the SV103 is salt proof? I am also eying on the Daiwa Zillion HD that can be had for 250USD online.

My applications are:

* Line: Braid 30 - 65 #

* Lures: frogs 1/4 - 1/2 oz, 3/4 buzzbaits, 1.5 oz weighted plastics for flipping, up to 1oz jigs

Thanks all.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 2:18 am
by LgMouthGambler
Nothing is "salt proof".

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:19 am
by DirtyD64
freelancer27 wrote:Thanks all,

I am wondering if the SV103 is salt proof? I am also eying on the Daiwa Zillion HD that can be had for 250USD online.

My applications are:

* Line: Braid 30 - 65 #

* Lures: frogs 1/4 - 1/2 oz, 3/4 buzzbaits, 1.5 oz weighted plastics for flipping, up to 1oz jigs

Thanks all.
I am not a fair person to ask on that one, I actually love the old Zillion TWS platform (will always suggest them). It is basically the older Tatula, with dual pinion support/free floating spool, a BARELY lighter spool, reinforced clutch system, and in the HD Zillion's case a Magsealed bearing. There is also one levelwind bearing (the other extra bearing is on the pinion). I love my 9.1 and 7.3 Zillion TWS, I honestly wish for the price I paid I had all those reels aside of a few Zillion SV's for light lure casting. I cast 3/16 head 3.3" Keitech's on my 7.3 Zillion TWS pretty commonly, I don't think the Zillion HD would have any issue casting the smaller 1/4oz frogs. I also think the Zillion HD would be well suited for the larger punching and heavier weights you mentioned.
The SV103 is still probably built more sturdy though, the Zillion TWS/HD platforms have a Zaion sideplate versus the SV103's aluminum handle sideplate construction.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:52 am
by BassFisher83
I just traded for a SV103XS last week and it will go on my MB Perfect Pitch which is my frogging setup. I hope to get out Friday to try it but weather as of now looks iffy.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:26 am
by BigG
Big-Bass wrote:SV103. Honestly buy it while you can and you would be pleased you did! A classic reel which is developing quite a following.
$229.99 with 10% TT discount at TTT, don't we how you can pass it up.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:45 am
by freelancer27
So the SV 103 is considered to be a better buy than the Zillion HD?

This one here https://japanlureshop.com/daiwa-zillion-tw-2188.html seems to be the perfect frogging and pitching reel.

Is that the XHG version of the Zillion HD or what is it called in the US?

Thanks!

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:48 am
by BassFisher83
BigG wrote:
Big-Bass wrote:SV103. Honestly buy it while you can and you would be pleased you did! A classic reel which is developing quite a following.
$229.99 with 10% TT discount at TTT, don't we how you can pass it up.
Pretty sure they sold out.

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:47 pm
by mark poulson

Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:33 pm
by freelancer27
mark poulson wrote:Take a look at these reels:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_ ... -SMH2.html
Thanks,

I fished this reel before and I was not a big fan of it. Did not like the handle and overall the reel felt cheap to me for some reasons.