Hey Guys I am looking for some advice. I want to put together a rod that I can use for punching or frog fishing in heavy cover. I know the Curado is great reel, but it's a bit out of my budget. So I am thinking about the Citica. Shimano is apparently remodeling a lot of these reels so I found the current Citica 200E on sale for $100. Does this seem like a durable enough reel to spool on braid and fish in the heavy stuff Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

The Citica should be fine. I think having a super smooth, solid reel mostly comes into play with baits like a spinnerbait or crankbait where you have to feel the bait through the reel handle. Frogs and punching you're pretty much just storing line.

Get the highest gear ratio possible. You want to be able to pick up line super fast when punching and frogging. It makes working a frog a lot easier.

Thanks alot for the advice. I ended up getting a Citica online at Gander Mt for $100 and a great deal on a Crucial at Walton's Pond; another $100. Can't wait to try it out.