EverGreen Darter : Colors: Unknown Length: 2.6 inch Weight: 1/2oz Pack Count: 1
Intro:
Japanese imports are flooding the North American fishing market, and for good reason, they are high quality baits known for their fish catching ability. The Evergreen Darter frog meets both the above criteria and adds some deeper versatility to your frog arsenal.. deeper being the key word. The Darter frog is the first frog in my collection that actually walks better under the water then above it.. but is that a good thing? that's your call
Overall Rating: 7.6/10
Each frog is rated on the following criteria: Quality, Castability, Presentation, Hook-up Ratio Available Options, Product Availability & Price
Quality & Durability: 4.5/5
It there is one thing (other then price) that Evergreen is know for, its the quality and durability of their baits, and the Darter frog is no exception. Not only is it equipped with the quality components I have come to expect from Evergreen but it also has a thicker more durable body then the kicker frog I reviewed last season (HERE)
Castability: 4.0/5
Casting will not be an issues with this bigger, bulkier Evergreen frog. It has a nice long slender stature making for great castability. The 1/2 weight does not hurt this frog either.
I will caution against long casts when you first starting fishing the darter frog. Give is a short flip and check out it's action upon retrieve. You really should see this frogs action up close prior to working it long distance
I will caution against long casts when you first starting fishing the darter frog. Give is a short flip and check out it's action upon retrieve. You really should see this frogs action up close prior to working it long distance
Presentation: 4.0/5
I had a hard time ranking this frog's overall presentation. It is a darter frog, and the idea behind it is that it darted and slashes just beneath the waters surface.. and believe me, it does this very well.. But I don't want a frog to do this, and that is where my bias comes into play.
So if you are looking for a frog that will slip under the water during your retrieve and that will give you an erratic walk the dog (under water) action, then this frog will blow you mind. But.. if you are looking for a traditional frog to drag over mats or slop then this is not the frog your looking for
So if you are looking for a frog that will slip under the water during your retrieve and that will give you an erratic walk the dog (under water) action, then this frog will blow you mind. But.. if you are looking for a traditional frog to drag over mats or slop then this is not the frog your looking for
Hook-up Ratio: 4.5/5
Although not as impressed with the Darter frog as I was with the Kicker frog, it still has an above average hook-up ratio. The body material is soft but not as collapsible as many other high end frogs (though it would probably be more durable). The hooks are Sharpe and look to be quality, I had no issues hooking-up and staying hooked up
Availability: 3.0/5
I can't find this frog on the shelf of any of the bait/tackle shops in my region. But with some simple searches you will easily find one on-line. E-Bay is your best bet for pricing and selection, but check the shipping rates from the sell prior to making a purchase, that $11.99 frog may quickly become a $25.99 frog if your not careful
Options & Price: 3.0/5
There are some very cool color options available for the Darter frog, but as always the price of this import has brought the O&P rating down to a 3 out of 5. Many guys will find it hard to justify dropping $20 on this frog, and after fishing it, I personally would not spend that much on a second frog. Yes it meets all the same high standards of other Evergreen Japanese import frogs, but the action was just not for me.
Where to Find:
In case you are having a hard time finding these locally, here are some reliable options for you.
Equipment:
Light weight and known more for action in open water then in heavy cover you can get away with fishing the Evergreen Darter on lighter gear. I started out using a Dobyns 736c but quickly dropped down to the 735c. This year I plan to give it a go on the all new DX746 a rod Im very excited about fishing in 2014. Daiwa Lexa 100 will get you buy with ease, great casting distance and still all the strength and drag of larger sized reels
Line of choice was Toray Finesse braid from Blackwater fishing line, it is a nice round braid with super thin diameter options
Line of choice was Toray Finesse braid from Blackwater fishing line, it is a nice round braid with super thin diameter options
Field Test Report Card:
Open Water (Sparse Pads): A-
Pads (Medium Cover): C
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): D
Walk the Dog: B
Popping Action: B
Sit/Pause: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment