Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Frog Review

FGH45T:   Colors: 8     Length: 1 3/4"    Weight: 1/4oz   Pack Count: 1

FGH55T:   Colors: 8     Length: 2 1/4"    Weight: 5/8oz   Pack Count: 1

FGH65T:   Colors: 8     Length: 2 5/8"    Weight: 3/4oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

Might as well get this one over with. The Live Target walking frog has been sitting in the #1 overall highest rated frog spot for long enough. Now it is about to lose it's spot to a sister product, the Live Target hollow body frog, One of the softest, most lifelike frogs on the market today. And with 3 size options available you are sure to find a favorite to add to your arsenal

Overall Rating: 9.2/10

Each frog is rated on the following criteria: Quality, Castability, Presentation, Hook-up Ratio Available Options, Product Availability & Price

Quality: 4.5/5

Live Target has made their name on the quality of the products they produce. Not only the finishes but the overall quality of the parts used. In their fairly short time in the market, Live Target has taken home more then their fair share of ICAST awards, and has seen many a top notch angler make the switch to their product line from other already well established companies (that says allot)

If you read my review of the Live Target Walking frog you may have noticed that it received a 5/5 score when it comes to quality. The reason I did not score the Hollow body quite as high, is that the body of this frog is so soft that the hooks and everyday wear caused by battle, can and will alter the life span of the product. I completely wore threw my first frog in under 2 months.. I dont think of that as a quality issue, but more of a testament to how often i used it, and how well it produced 

(Pic shows some early damage after one day on the water)

Castability: 4.5/5

For a lightweight frog, the Live Target Hollow body frog casts extremely well. It also has incredible "sit" with the ass end hanging down slightly below the water column, ensuring the fish get nothing but hook. 

Both the 55T and 65T can be fished on your standard frog rod/reel set-up, but if you are fishing the 45T, you should look at a rod with more tip, and maybe some added length. I did have a hard time getting the hang of casting this frog when I first started fishing with it, it is small and at times hard to place accuratly

Presentation: 5.0/5

With three size options Live Target really has designed a hollow body frog for all seasons and conditions. You may get sick of hearing my say it, but the 55T is the best all around frog in the line-up, it casts and walks like a dream, but the smaller size (I feel) improves your hook-up ratio. I will use the larger frog when looking for big bites or when the small and medium sizes dont appear to be making enough noise on the cover (pads and such). By going up in size, you can get some added knock and profile on days in which the fish are kinda sluggish.

(all Three sizes on display)

The smallest frog, (45T) is a great early season frog, and the fish really just inhale it. Due to it's smaller size it is not ideal for casting long distances in any kind of wind. It is a great pitching frog, and works wonders when spot placed in open areas around pads. I dont fish this frog in heavy cover, unless Im pitching it to pockets or working the edge of pockets

Hook-Up Ratio: 4.5/5

Boasting what one can only call one of if not the softest skins on the market today, the Live Target hollow body frog collapses when a fish simply breathes on it on top of that the hooks are super sharp and crazy strong. As you can see from the below pic, they give great penetration and almost stand right-up when the body is collapsed.

If you are looking for the perfect bite sized frog, I find the 55T to be the optimum size. It fits easily into the fishes mouth and still gives off a decent profile that can be lost when you jump down to the smallest size frog

Availability: 5.0/5

I dont think I need to type more then one or two sentences here. Live Target frogs are available almost everywhere, I can easily find what i need in 9 out of every 10 stores I shop in, and if I cant.. all major on-line retailers carry them as well. The only availability problem you will have is buying what you need before they sell out.

Options & Price: 4.0/5

I know a few of you will jump all over me for this portion of the review. I get it, the Live Target Hollow body frog does sit pretty high in the price range, and some could argue that when launched it set a new pricing standard that other companies are following.. but.. When it comes to quality you really cant beat it, and the price is validated by the quality of the overall product.

Options are also a key factor in the scoring of this section. With three size options and 8 colors currently available, there are not many other companies that can boost such a stellar line-up. By the way if you keep an eye on the Live Target site you will also note that the 8 colors will soon jump up to 12 as there are 4 new colors coming for the 2013 season.. can you say ICAST

Where to Find:

In case you are having a hard time finding these locally, here are some reliable options for you.

Tackle Warehouse ($10.49)

E tackle ($10.47) *Canadian

Land Big Fish ($9.99)

Bass Tackle Depot ($9.99)

The Hook Up ($10.99)

As you can see there are many options for ordering, and most if not all carry the full line of products. If you are a price driven American, LBF is probably your best bet, on the Canadian side of the border be sure to check out E Tackle, very competitive price, and you will avoid higher shipping charges and duties.

Videos:

Live Target Promo Video

American Legacy Fishing (approximately 3mins in, you will see the first blow-up)

Equipment:

For those who read this on a regular basis you know that I usually recommend running hollow body frogs on a Dobyns 736c, but my LIve Target frog of choice is the FGH55T (mid sized) and with the smaller frame and less weight I prefer the casting distance I get when using a Dobyns 735c. If you are fishing the larger model you can sneak up to the 736c, and if you like to fish the froglet version, try downsizing to a 744, or even into a 3 power

Sunline FX2 will be on my reel to start the season, and so will the Live Target Hollow body frog