Monday, May 6, 2013

Spro Bronzeye 65 Frog Review



Spro Bronzeye 65:   Colors: 32     Length: 65mm"    Weight: 5/8oz   Pack Count: 1


Intro:

If I was to point my finger at one company that I felt was responsible for the current boom in frog fishing baits, and the sudden boost in the overall quality of their hooks, body and design, I would have to blame SPRO, and their Dean Rojas Bronzeye 65, a frog just as popular today as when it was first introduced all those years ago

for frog fisherman everywhere.. thank you


Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Each frog is rated on the following criteria: Quality, Castability, Presentation, Hook-up Ratio Available Options, Product Availability & Price


Quality: 4.0/5

The overall quality of the SPRO Bronzeye is/was pretty impressive.  It has a thick tuff skin that takes abuse and its double 3/0 Gammy hook set the standard that most other frog companies follow today. Like most SPRO products the Bronzeye frog has a mean stare and  life like colour patterns. These don't stand up to the uber-realistic look many of todays frogs have, but they get the job done


Castability: 4.0/5

The Bronzeye is belly weighted, this not only improves casting distance but it also helps ensure it lands belly down. You can cast these frogs for distance or skip them up under timber (check out the below Dean Rojas video). 


Presentation: 4.0/5

Pretty standard stuff here, the Bronzeye frog, swims, walks, climbs and skips with the best of them. It was well designed and in turn has been well ripped off by other companies. When it first was released this frog really upped the "presentation game" but since then many of the competitors have caught up, making the Bronzeye just a slightly above average frog when it comes to performance in the water or on the pads


Hook-Up Ratio: 4.0/5

This is the one area that I believe companies like Live Target, Booyah, and Deps have really surpassed SPRO. The Bronzeye frog's body is just a little too firm for my liking and does not collapse as easily as the aforementioned companies. This will effect your overall hook-up ratio.. I know it effected mine, and I ended up putting away the SPRO and in turn picking up softer frogs




Availability: 4.5/5

When this frog was initially launched it took off with a bang, and since that time pretty mush every major retailer on the planet carries them. They may not have the full 32 color selection but you should be walk into almost any bait shop and get your mitts on a SPRO Bronzeye

Options & Price: 5.0/5

Back then they were first releases the SPRO Bronzeye would have been considered a premium frog at a premium price. Currently they retail under $10 (not very common nowadays) and their overall colour and style choices still blow the competition away.

The Bronzeye is available in 4 models, the 65 is the Original, there is now a Jr, a Popper and a Baby Poper (previously reviewed HERE)

As for color selection, you may be surprised that SPRO currently offers 32 colors choices.. yes 32. Not all dealers carry all 32 (not even Spro has all 32 on listed on their site). For the utmost in selection check out TackleWarehouse or LandBigFish. If it is a deal your after.. LandBigFish has the lowest reatil price I was able to find



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

Spro ($10.40)

Tackle Warehouse ($8.78) 

Land Big Fish ($8.49)

Bass Pro Shop ($10.99)

Fishing World ($10.99) *

Bass Tackle Depot ($8.99)

Note: * represents Canadian company




Equipment:

Big beefy frogs like the SPRO Bronzeye scream to be paired up with a Dobyns 736c, this rod was designed to tame large frog eating fish. This year to add some beef to my frog combo I will be throwing my hollow bodies on a Daiwa Lexa 300 reel, these reels really are something special, and don't put a hurt on wallet






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