Molix Supernato Frog Review

Supernato:   Colors: 8     Length: 1.75- 2.75 inch    Weight: 3/8 -3/4oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

One of the more unique baits I got to test drive this season, The Molix Supernato performs poorly as a frog bait, and only so/so as a crank-bait.. so how much street-cred does its innovation and slick movement get it? 

Overall Rating: 6.8/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.5/5

With a very soft body cavity and a thin plastic head, Im not sure how mush abuse this frog is going to take. Designed to be bumped off cover the bill of the Supernato will take the majority of the abuse on a retrieve, but big bass and other game fish will reek havoc on this bait.. if you can get get its hook into one

Castability: 4.0/5

The Supernato casts well, whether empt of filled up with water you will be able to get some decent distance with this frog. Dont expect to skip it, and be accurate with your casts because the minute you begin your retrieve this frog will dive

Presentation: 3.0/5

I dont think I understand this frog.. the team at Molix says that you can run it shallow when empty or deep when full.. yet during testing I often found the Supernato would fill with water on each retrieve making it impossible to run shallow unless I paused it constantly.. and pausing it does not really do much for your presentation.

Calling this a frog at all is kinda a stretch. It was not designed to fish in any real "froggy" conditions it is really just a soft body crank-bait painted like a frog.

It's only saving grave here is that when retrieved the Supernato does give off  very erratic, flashy movement. This is what I thing is catching most anglers.. its too bad a poor hook-up ratio means this is really the only thing this frog will catch

Hook-up Ratio: 3.0/5

When you first put your hands on this bait you will probably think "Wow, this bait will really hook-up easily" and if it was a standard hollow body frog you would probably be right. With a super soft body and crazy sharp hooks, the Supernato should hook-up well, But there is a reason crank-baits have trebles and not tucked-in hooks.. the Supernato has not trebles and thus it misses more fish then the standard crank

Availability: 3.0/5

I can't find this frog on the shelf of any of the bait/tackle shops in my region. But since it is carried by two of my favourite on-line stores (Tackle Warehouse and LBF) I cant knock deduct too many points for availably. Both these stores cover both Canada and the US

Options & Price: 3.5/5

With two size options and 8 pretty cool colours the Supernato gives anglers some nice choices. That being said it is priced higher then most comparably (quality wise) frogs at $14.99 and I personally dont feel it is worth it. Sure this is a unique bait, and maybe Molix thought that added value, but to me a baits value can only be counted in the fish they catch.

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($13.99- $14.99) 

Land Big Fish ($14.99)

Bass Tackle Depot ($14.99)*

*One size only

Field Test Report Card: 

Open Water (Sparse Pads):  A

Pads (Medium Cover):  C

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover):  F

Walk the Dog:  A+

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: D+

Equipment:

Put away your frog rods and fish this baby on your cranking sticks. I fished the Supernato on a Dobyns 805CBRM which gave me great distance and a powerful backbone. You could also fish this frog on a 735c but I would not go much lighter then that.

Line of choice was Toray Soloroam Superhard fluoro. I probably could have fished it with braid but since I felt like I was fishing a crank or wakebait I wanted to use cranking line

Big Bite Baits Top Toad Review

Top Toad:      Colours: 10   Size: 3.5"     Pack Count:  4     

                            Leg Style: Buzz            Scent: Salt

Intro:

This is the second frog I have reviewed this season with the name "Top Toad" and to be honest of the two, the Big Bite Baits Top Toad comes in a distant second place..heres why

Overall Rating: 6.6/10

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

Quality & Durability: 4.0/5

The Top Toad is another one of those baits that is built out of a very dense rubber/plastic that makes the product very durable, but at the same time can hinder it's presentation as well as it's hook-up ratio. But you wont have to worry about durability as these frogs are tuff

Castability: 3.5/5

The Big Bites Baits Top Toad is what I would consider to be a "beefy" frog. What this means is that it casts like a shot, and is good for some serious distance in pretty much any weather condition. It also has a flat belly that allows you to skip it fairly well.

Presentation: 3.5/5

This frog has a very interesting swim, that is owed mainly to the wide body and stance. it allows you to keep its head up high and its ass down low. The Legs are tick/dense and can take some speed before you are able to get them really moving, but once moving they give off a nice buzz

The Floating model out performs the standard Top Toad, it's soft almost marshmallowy body reminds me of the Gene Larew three legged toad (a personal fav). The softer body keeps this frog on top of the water in a better strike position on the pause.

Hook-Up Ratio: 3.0/5

As mentioned above the standard version of the Top toad has a wide body made of very dense material. Both of these really hinder it's hook-up ratio. The floating model has a softer body that slightly improves the hook-up ratio but not enough to score the Top Toad with more then a 3/5

I love the idea of the "V" shaped hook keeper on the back of this frog. It allows you to protect the hook point without having to bury it in the fog. I did at times slightly skinhook the point for added protection. This not only helps keep debris off the hook, but it also gives you a target to ensure you have the hook centred and the frog running true

Availability: 3.0/5

Unless you are buying direct from BBB, or Tackle Warehouse you may have a hard time finding this bait. I have some local shops that carry BBB products none of which seem to have the Top Toad.

Options & Price: 3.0/5

The price point on this bait is fairly decent, if you do your homework.. on average they retail for around the $4.00 mark (or $1 a bait) but if you check out Tackle Warehouse you will save yourself a $1 a pack.

When it comes to options,  you have a decent selection, 1 size, 10 colour options and a floating model. As stated above I personally prefer the floating model, it sits better and has a better hook-up ratio then the non-floating model.

Where to Find:

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

Big Bite Baits ($4.79)

Tackle Warehouse  ($2.99)

Coosa Tackle ($3.99)

Fishing Discount Direct ($4.09)

Equipment:

This Top Toad by Bog Bites Baits is a heavy duty soft body frog and can be fished on heavier rods like a Dobyns 736c. You don't really need much tip to run or cast this bait, so why not go big and be sure you can keep yourself out of trouble. 

Daiwa Samurai Braid Line Review

Colors: 1  Sizes: 150yrd - 1500yrd  Strength: 15-80lb 

Intro:

Daiwa Samurai offers up some of the smoothest braid on the market today. Its thin diameter and size is almost scary when fishing beefier techniques, but its strong enough to hold up to the frogiest of  conditions

Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Quality/Durability: 4.5/5

As an avid angler I have grown to accept that braided lines are going to bleed and my hands will be green my the end of the day, this is true with Samurai but I will mention that I was surprised at how well the colour lasted. As for the strength I have tested everything from 20lb on up to 60lbs and had no no breakage concerns. I really love the cast-ability of this line and it is a dream to work with on both lighter and heavier weigh frogs

Availability & Price:  3.5/5

Samurai line is not widely available in Canada, but most of the major players carry it and it is readily available on line. The price can be somewhat scary at times, but most of the Japanese import lines all fall within the same price range, though Samurai surely out performs most of them when it comes to quality braids

Options : 4.5/5

 I don't know how many options you need when it comes to frog line, but Samurai is available in weight ratings from 15-80lbs. Obviously the 15lb is a bit light for most frog fishing situations, but I often throw soft body frogs (in open water applications) on the 20lb, and usually save the 40-60lb sizes for my hollow-bodies. I feel 80lbs is a bit over kill but, to each his own

Where to Find:

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

Daiwa (info only)

Tackle Warehouse ($27.99 - 279.99) 

Anglers Warehouse ($24.95 - 204.95)

Tackle Direct ($29.95 - $359.95)

I recommend giving Daiwa Samurai line a shot on your frog rods, I think you will quickly notice your casting distance increase with no loss of power, what more can you ask for in a line

Deps Buster K review

Buster K :   Colors: 6     Length: 2.4 inch    Weight: 1/2oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

After fishing with the Deps Slither K last season, I had no qualms about spending the $20+ Deps is asking for their follow up bait "the Buster K". Touted as a bad ass popping frog with a deafening rattle I was excited to get the BK on the water in hopes of reproducing the success I had with the SK.. unfortunately no matter how much fun I had throwing this frog, the success just didnt come.. here's why:

Overall Rating: 7.2/10

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

Quality & Durability: 4.5/5

first things first, Deps  knows how to  bang out high quality products, and the Buster K is no exception , with a soft yet durable body, twin fur tails and some seriously sharp hooks, this is a bait that fish should fear 

The only issue I had with the Buster K (and I will get into this in more depth below) is that it quickly and easily fills up with water. I dont know if this is a design flaw, or if my frog just happens to be a lemon, but it was a huge pain in the ass (though it did not stop me from fishing it)

Castability: 4.5/5

The Buster K can be long bombed with the best of them. Its carries a full 1/2oz in weight, pair that with a sleek aerodynamic body and an internal rattle that shifts back and forth, and you have a bait that allows you to cover serious distance on the cast

If there is one flaw I would say that it tends to land loud.. that being said many of you won't agree that that should be considered a flaw.

Presentation: 3.5/5

Unfortunately this is where things start to fall down a bit for the Buster K.. lets start off with the issue I referenced earlier, this bait could easily been named the Buster T, "T" as in Titanic as this thing wont stop sinking. Every cast I had to give it a squeeze and remove the excess water, if not it would be fully submerged by the end of my second cast. I have been searching the web looking for anglers with similar issues and I have yet to find any, so did I get a dud? it's to early to tell, all I do know is that I cant not advise you of this as it is/was a major pain in the ass

it aint all bad.. here is what works on the Bustker K...  I have said it before and I will say it again, rabbit fur makes a better frog leg then silicone, it moves easier and way more life like in the water. I do wish the tail of the Buster K was longer (like that of the Slither K) but it still gets the job done.

The popping mouth on this bait moves some serious water, I loved fishing it in thinner slop as it would leave larger holes after each pull, the popping was so loud at times others in the boat was snap around expecting I had had a blow up. Top this all off with an internal rattle that moves around freely and is designed to bang into the internal portion of the hook making a loud metal on metal sound that  drives fish crazy (the rattle does gets jammed up at times, so keep eye on it, as you don't want it to interfere with your hooks.)

Hook-up Ratio: 3.0/5

This is another area that I experienced a bit of a hick-up. It is kind of surprising that a bait with hooks this sharp and a  soft pliable body gave me such grief when it came to hook-ups.. I wish I had some answers for you, but I don't. I did read some customer reviews on various boards and sites that tell me Im not the only one having this issue, but most cant really nail down why?,  but if I had to wager a guess I would state that in my opinion the low hook-up ratio ties directly to the fact this bait sinks, simply put the bait is often out of position when the fish strikes thus making it harder for the hooks to find a home.

Availability: 3.5/5

Like with all Deps products they are easy to find if you know where to look. Locally there is one or two shops that specialize in harder to find baits (aka: expensive).  While on-line many of todays big boys carry Deps as well as the Buster K

Options & Price: 2.5/5

Deps makes no excuses for the price tag on their baits, nor should they. They are a high end product with quality parts.. that being said there is no way for me to score them any higher then 2.5 when the average price of this frog is over $20.00

As for options, like with the Slither K you have one size and limited color choices.. but what color choices you do have are fairly unique.. hell my glow in the dark frog looks kinda like a killer clown from a certain Stephen king novel

Where to Find:

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

Optimum Baits ($20.99)

Land Big Fish ($21.99) 

Tackle Warehouse ($20.99)

The Hook-Up Tackle ($21.99)

Field Test Report Card: 

Open Water (Sparse Pads):        C+

Pads (Medium Cover):               B

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover):    B

Walk the Dog:                          C

Popping Action:                       A

Sit/Pause:                                  B-

Equipment:

I completed all my testing with a Dobyns Rods 736c, again as this frog will mainly be fished in medium to light cover, you can easily get away with fishing it on a 735c if you want a little extra tip for casting purposes. Same can be said for reel choices, Im hooked on the Dawia Lexa right now, and both the 100, and 300 model will get the job done

MegaBass Pony Frog Review

Pony:   Colors: 8     Length: 2 1/4 inch    Weight: 3/8oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

This is my first foray into MegaBass products, like many anglers their price points scared me a bit, but as I have learned with rods, reels, line and frogs, you pay for what you (most of the time) so I took the plunge.. and if this is their best effort, I hate to see what a $10 Megabass bait fishes like

Overall Rating: 7.2/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.5/5

This frog at first glance has a lot going for it. It is a soft pliable body that held up well for multiple fish and even a toothy bowfin. I loved the extra nose ring that lets the bait swing loose and allows it to walk as good if not better then any frog on the market

Where things go wrong is on the retrieve, sure it moves well, but thats only when its not sinking. I had a really hard time keeping this frog above water on any cast more then 20 yards, and if I didn't empty it after each cast it would sink in under 10 yards.. I don't get it, Frog Fishing 101.. it has to float? the megabass Pony does not

Castability: 4.0/5

this bait is built for casting, its short, sleek and bottom heavy. It cant be cast for distance or short flipped into targeted areas, one thing you need to watch out for is that on most long casts this bait was under water by the time I finished my retrieve. (did I mention it sinks?)

Presentation: 4.0/5

I want to be clear here, the Pony frog is small, and it sinks... but, it moves very well. The bull style nose ring allows you to walk this bait with ease, and almost in circles. I find the tail to be a bit odd, Im  not too sure what benefit you get from the raised tail (this baits name sake) but I do know that I like a single tail over a pair of legs, due to the fluid action it gives your frog

Even when sinking this bait looks good, it moves and flashes under the water, still walking the dog, but looking more and more like an injured baitfish

Hook-up Ratio: 4.0/5

I went back and forth on this rating, the size and design of the Pony makes it a nice light snack which means the hook-up ratio should be pretty solid. I went 2 for 2 on my first two blow-ups, but my issue is that it took me 3 trips to get that first blow up.. so yes, the hook-up ratio is good.. the fish blowup ratio was poor

Availability: 3.0/5

Lets see, I can't find these locally and I can barely find them on-line. Their only saving grace is that TackleWarehouse picked them up, which means most of Canada and the US can easily get their hands on one if they really wanted too (trust me you don't)

Options & Price: 3.0/5

My wallet went thru some pain this year as I test drove quite a few Japanese import frogs (some reviews have yet to be posted) all of which come with a hefty price tag, in all honesty after fishing with many of these baits I would gladly pay the price a second time.. the Megabass Pony is not one of those baits, at $17.99 I expected a more durably, and a higher quality bait that doesn't sink like a stone, the only good thing about the price point is that knowing Megabass they could have asked for more (and some anglers would pay it)

As for options, there is only one size available (tiny) and 8 colour options... which are cool

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($17.99 

The Tackle Trap ($17.99)

Field Test Report Card: 

Open Water (Sparse Pads):  A-

Pads (Medium Cover):  B

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C- 

Walk the Dog:  A+

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: B-

Equipment:

This tiny little frog often felt to small when fished with a Dobyns 736c so I down sized a bit working it with the 735c (you know, the other frog rod). This frog is really only good for its walking ability, so the extra tip in the 735c will help with that as well.. now if there was some way to stop it from sinking