“I like a fast reel for froggin’ because when you do get a bite on a frog, the fish is coming from the bank and explodes on the frog, so you have to catch a lot of slack,” the Oklahoma pro said. “Also, when I do get a hook into the fish, I don’t let it fight. I crank as hard and fast as I can and boat flip it because they can throw a frog easier than other baits.”
“This reel in the slower ratio is good for several reasons. First, it’s got a wide handle, so it’s easy to grip and get leverage. With that slower ratio, you can throw the super deep divers and not get worn out,” Christie said. “Finally, this particular reel in the slow ratio doesn’t have the Zero Reverse that the other reels have. Rather than immediately stopping when you try to reel it backward it’ll pop back just a half inch. Why? David Fritts developed that feature, and he told me that it increases your ability to feel bites and bottom structure, and it really, really does. I was amazed by that little feature.”
“I like this reel in that particular ratio because it’s perfect for two reasons. First is that because lots of jerkbaits have marginal castability, the cast controls of the BB-1 Pro are sensitive and easy to dial in so you can throw them farther than many other reels will allow. Second, A 6.4:1 ratio is good because it takes up the perfect amount of slack with a turn of the reel handle. I wanted to use a 7.1:1, but it took up too much slack with a turn of the handle; I was moving the bait with it. With the 5.1:1, I can’t take up enough slack.”
“Punching and throwing umbrella rigs are the two techniques that stress your gear the most. When punching, you’re using big weights, heavy line and casting for big bass in thick grass. Also, lots of folks throw umbrella rigs on braid and those things can weigh a few ounces. So, I like the Super Duty to handle these applications. I do both of those things a lot and haven’t managed to break one yet. It’s just made to be an extra sturdy reel.”
âWhen I have to throw a drop shot or a shaky head, I use a spinning reel. Just the other day I was sight fishing and kind of put it to the test. There was a bass next to a stump, and I knew that if she bit, sheâd go for the stump so I cranked the drag down like a baitcaster. She bit, I hammered her and pulled her straight away from that stump. I was impressed. Other times, though, Iâll loosen the drag and let it work for me. In the 3000 size, this is lighter than most spinning reels because the body is made of carbon.â
