Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Reels are the hottest topic for TackleTour. Everyone wants to know what the latest and greatest is and how they compare to the old guard. What's the best for light stuff, or what's your suggestion for heavy cover. Do we really need different retrieve ratios? It's all in here.
freelancer27
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Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:09 am

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.

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

Post by Big-Bass » Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:37 am

SV103. Honestly buy it while you can and you would be pleased you did! A classic reel which is developing quite a following.

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Hobie-Wan Kenobi
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:21 pm

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.
IG @hobie_wan_kenobi_fishing

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

Post by DirtyD64 » Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:40 pm

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.

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

Post by LgMouthGambler » Sun Aug 13, 2017 6:42 pm

SV103XS.
<")))><{

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

Post by Rippin-lips » Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:46 pm

SV103XS

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

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:37 pm

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.

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

Post by LgMouthGambler » Mon Aug 14, 2017 2:18 am

Nothing is "salt proof".
<")))><{

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

Post by DirtyD64 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:19 am

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.

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

Post by BassFisher83 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:52 am

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.

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

Post by BigG » Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:26 am

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.

freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:45 am

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!

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

Post by BassFisher83 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:48 am

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.

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

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


freelancer27
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Re: Looking for a sub 250 USD reel for frogging and pitching

Post by freelancer27 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:33 pm

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.

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