Vagabond Bush Z Frog Review

Bush Z  : Colors: 7  Length: 2 1/2"  inch Weight: 1/2oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The Vagabond Bush Z is a very mouse like frog in almost every aspect.. it has a long slender nose and a single tail instead of twin silicone legs, it moves well in the water, but has a tendency sin.. a problem that seems to be popping up more and more each season

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: 3.5/5

There is no real issues with this baits overall quality and/or durability. The body is flexible but tough and the hooks are strong and sharp. My concerns are more with the overall design and the fact that  the nose ring is way too big (and collects debris) and the for some strange reason this bait takes on water like submarine with a screen door (yes that was is very old, very bad joke)

Castability: 3.5/5

The Bush Z's castability is average at best, and for a bait that is is well weighted and fairly aerodynamic I expected to be a little more impressed. With that said there are no issues with its castability or how it lands. This frog is an above average skipping frog as long as you don't rig up a blade to the belly ring

Presentation: 2.5/5

This is where it gets dicey, and the faults mentioned previously in this review come back to haunt the Bush Z. Its hard to review a frogs presentation when you spend more time pulling it up from the depths then actually fishing with it… yes this bait is a sinker

The body design is mouse like, it is small, compact and the long narrow nose make it easy to walk. Just watch your speed and/or the amount of pressure you put on the bait, or it will sink.

If you like to add some flash to your frogs, the Bush Z is equipped with a belly ring that allows blades or a hook to be attached. I'm not one to do this, but to each his own.

Hook-up Ratio: 4.5/5

If its presentation is its downfall, then the Hook-Up ratio is its saviour. The Bush Z was clearly designed with a solid hook-up ratio in mind.. its slender body with a tail in place of legs allow fish to get more of it in their mouths with little to no material preventing the hook from being driven home.

The body material is also nice and soft, and easily compresses given the hooks plenty of room to do their job.

Availability: 3.0/5

This bait is not that easy to find unless you shop at one of the two on-line retailers that carry Vagabond products. Luckily those two retailers are big boys who do a great job taking care of anglers in both the US and Canada.. Tackle Warehouse and Land Big Fish

Options & Price: 3.0/5

The Bush Z is available in one size and 7 pretty cool colour options. I find it to fish a bit small, but the weigh still allows it to cast well. Pricing is higher then I would like, and I don't value this bait at any more then $6.99-$8.99

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($12.99)

Land Big Fish ($12.99)


Equipment:

All  testing was done on a  Dobyns DX746 this is a new rod in their line-up that handles both hollow and soft plastic baits alike. As for reels, the Daiwa Lexa pairs well with this rod and gives you a nice over sized spool for that added distance and power. Line choice was SunLIne FX2

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): B

Pads (Medium Cover): A

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C

Walk the Dog: B

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: B

Savage Gear 3D Frog Review - "Imitation Legs"

3D Frog Imitation Legs  : Colors: 4  Length: 2 1/4"  inch Weight: N/A  Pack Count: 1
3D Frog Imitation Legs  : Colors: 4  Length:  3/4"  inch Weight: 3/4oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The long awaited 3D series of frogs from Savage Gear have arrived. Available in two leg styles, 2 body sizes and 4 colours this frog had the chance to be a good one.. but although they were often backordered and quickly sold my hope were dashed the minute I took this frog out of the package, and further crushed once I fished with it.

Note: this review is strictly on the "imitation leg" version of the 3D frog

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: 4.5/5

Quality and durability is the strongest attribute to the 3D frog, the body and legs are both made of a tough durable material that should really stand the test of time. The body of this frog almost feels like it is foam filled, its hard to explain without actually handling the frog itself.

Unlike the other companies that have jumped on the "life-like leg" band wagon, the team at Savage Gear actually made some legs that will last for more then one fish.. Im not all that impressed with how them move, but hey, one thing at a time I guess.

Castability: 4.0/5

The 3D frog is large and fairly heavy. The dense body and thick legs give this frog some heft and it can be cast a mile. For its large frame it lands impressively well, quickly getting into that ass-down head-up position that drives fish nuts

Presentation: 3.0/5

To be brutally honest there was nothing about how this frog fishes that made me all that excited about it. It is heavy and awkward and the legs don't really present that well no matter if you are steady retrieving or short hopping it back to the boat. The legs are so heavy that the almost force the frog to sit vertical (meaning 90 degrees and not 45).

While on the move or d ruing the first few seconds of the pause the 3D frog does give off a nice profile. The wide stance and large body would make a nice meal for any hungry largemouth

Hook-up Ratio: 2.5/5

To say I was not happy with this baits hook-up ratio would be a pretty big understatement. Above I have already touched on some of the features that make bait a fail when it comes to hooking-up.

First lets talk about the body. This frog is pretty near as air tight as I have seen, so much so that it is hard to depress the body and then once depressed it actually takes some time for it to fill back up with air.. even longer when in the water.. strike 1

Although I am a fan of frogs with single hooks, this is usually reserves for smaller frogs where access to the hook is clean. This is not the case with the 3D frog, it is a big body frog with huge thick legs.. both of these will make it harder for the fish to find this single hook.. strike 2

The Imitation legs are big and bulky and can easily act as a barricade to the hook finding purchase when the fish strikes. These legs would have been an  issue on a frog with a standard double hook, and are even more of an issue here.. strike 3

Availability: 3.0/5

Savage Gear is becoming more and more available on-line and in smaller retailers across North America. Most of my local shops carry some of the SG line, but not yet the 3D frog.

I got pretty impatient with them this past off season as they were consistently back-ordered on Tackle Warehouse. The expected ETA would come and when I went to purchase a new date weeks later would now be in place. I can't comment on if this was a Tackle Warehouse issue of an SG issue.. but it was an issue.

Options & Price: 3.5/5

Available in two different leg styles, and two sizes, it is nice to see Savage Gear offering the angler some choices. As for colours they kind of fall down here only offering 4 of the most standard colours options.. Leopard Green, Dark Leopard, Black and White.. if you were going to only make 4 colours these would be the place to start.

Priced at about $10, the 3D frog is in the upper end of the North American frog price range. For that kind of money you can get 2x Booyah Pad Crashers, 2 x Evolve Nervous Walkers and one and change Live Target frogs.. where would you spend your money?

Where to Find:

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

Savage Gear

Tackle Warehouse ($9.99)

Cabela's ($9.99)

Outdoor Pro Shop ($9.99)



Equipment:

All  testing was done on a  Dobyns DX746 this is a new rod in their line-up that handles both hollow and soft plastic baits alike. As for reels, the Daiwa Lexa pairs well with this rod and gives you a nice over sized spool for that added distance and power. Line choice was SunLIne FX2

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): C+

Pads (Medium Cover): B+

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C

Walk the Dog: C

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: C

Original Slop Frog Review

Original Slop Frog : Colors: 9  Length: 5 1/4"  inch Weight: 0.7oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The Slop frog is a unique frog bait coming out of Beaverdamn WI, USA, the baits are hand poured using quality materials and are equipped with a weed guard and replaceable tail. This bait is as solid as they come and offers up a great flutter on the fall.

Slop frogs are available in King Size, Original and Floating, since I was only able to test the original model I will stick to it for the purposes of this review

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

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

Quality & Durability: 4.5/5

You probably haven't seen a bait like this one unless you live in the state of WI, they are a very thick dense soft plastic bait that feel like they have a solid core.. but they don't. The hook is strong and sharp and the removable legs are easy to apply and reapply if needed.

The body of the bait looks like it could last you a lifetime, but if by chance it doesn't, the team at Slop Frog have some tips to help you repair it… check out this video

and for those of you that didn't watch the video, you may have missed the part where Jim talks about their free bait club.. this is a pretty cool idea in which to join you purchase 4 baits for $23.49 (a reduced rate) and each year after that you pay the same fee in order to get free replacement baits if and when your slop frogs become too damaged to fish. You also get a free bait on your first order of the year and a free bait when new products are launched. Anytime you buy 4 or more baits you will also continue to receive the reduced rate pricing.. cool idea for sure

Castability: 4.0/5

The Slop frog is a beast of a bait and can be cast a country mile (thats a saying right?).  It at times can land pretty hard but almost always lands hook-up putting you in great positions to begin your retrieve.

Because of its spoon like shape you need to be weary in windy conditions, if it starts to turn the flat side will blow it off course.. this was never a major issue, just somthing worth noting.

Presentation: 3.5/5

The Slop frog moves extremely well on and over cover, its body shape is very conducive for keeping it running true as well as making a great line or gap in the slop.. this drives fish crazy and helps them see the bait.

When paused the Slop Frog has an great slow flutter.. for a big boy this bait sure can move. I loved pausing it over pockets and letting it drop up to a foot prior to starting my retrieve again.

Warning, your arms will get tired after a day of throwing this baby around, it is heavy and it does sink (flutter) so if your trying to keep it up on top your going to need to be in constant motion. If want a bait you can pause you should look into their floating model (it would be my choice)

Hook-up Ratio: 3.0/5

If I haven't said so already the Slop Frog is a big bait, and fishes like a big bait. The added weight allows it to sit well on slop and/or pads meaning you are in position to hammer the hooks home when a fish strikes. The weed guard collapses easily and the legs are short enough that they stay out of the way of your hook-set.

The overall size and density of the frog may be an issue at times. In all honesty on my first outing with the Slop Frog I missed a very aggressive fish 3 times.. two of those times I felt the fish with the bait in its mouth prior to setting the hook. The third and final miss I let the fish swim with the frog prior to setting the hook, got him halfway back to the boat and he spit it. Seems like he was holding on the bait but for some reason I couldn't drive the hook home.

Availability: 3.0/5

Slop Frog is a Mom and Pop operation (for the lack of a better term) they work hard at putting out quality baits, and regularly ship orders next day. Not currently readily available from many major on-line retailers it won't be long before we start to see them pop up more and more. 

Options & Price: 3.0/5

The Slop Frog is available in Three models.. King Size, Original and Floating. The King is available in 6 colour options and the Original and Floater is available in 9 colours. Each frog can also be customized with the purchase of additional tails.. hell you could also adapt your fav bait into a tail making the combinations endless.

As for price this bait retails for $6.49, and originally I was taken back by this, but when you think how often we spend $10 or more on a hollow-body I guess it is not to far out of line. With that said I would have liked to have seen this frog come in at the $5 mark (splitting hairs I know).

I already discussed the 'Free Bait Club" above, but this is another way you can knock down the purchase price of your baits, by joining the FBC you will be paying $5.87 a bait and free replacement if it becomes un-fishable.

Where to Find:

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

Slop Frog ($6.49)

Mystery Tackle Box ($6.49)

Retail List

Equipment:

The Slop frog is a heavy bait and needs some stout gear. I fished it using the Dobyns 736C with a 300 series Dawia Lexa. Line of choice was SunLine FX2, still the best line available for heavy cover frog fishing.

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): B

Pads (Medium Cover): B+

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): A

Walk the Dog: N/A

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: N/A

Snag Proof - Bobby's Perfect Buzz Frog Review

Bobby's Perfect Buzz Frog  : Colors: 6  Length: 5 1/4"  inch Weight: 3/4oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The Bobby's Perfect Buzz frog has to be one of the most requested reviews that I get asked for. So I think I have sat on this one long enough.. you asked for it!

Overall Rating: 7.8/10

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

Quality & Durability: 4.5/5

The Buzz frog is really just a Snag Proof Kicker frog with some added bling, this makes the bait slightly less weedless but adds a whack more noise and flash. Like all SnagProof frogs this bait ain't pretty but holds up fish after fish allowing you to get more then get your moneys worth out of it.

Castability: 4.0/5

The Buzz Frog casts like a buzz bait, the added weight and size help with distance, but the double bladed buzz-head can cause drag leaving you frustrated in windy conditions.

Don't expect to skip this frog and if you are looking for a quiet Olympic like entry then you may want to look elsewhere. The Buzz frog lands loud and hard with the blades hanging down drawing the attention of any fish that may be watching

Presentation: 4.5/5

I really like how this frog fishes, I was not sure how well it would run through various kinds of cover that I like to fish and was pleasantly surprised that it collected very little debris and rarely hung-up.

I would still recommend picking and choosing your battles here, the Buzz frog was designed to fish in medium to sparse cover, if your fishing thicker pads or slop put it away and tie on a bait designed to fish this cover.  This frog excels at being dragged across sparse pads and then letting the buzz kick in when in the pocket.

Hook-up Ratio: 3.5/5

Snag Proof baits will always give you an above average hook-up ratio, but there are a couple features on this frog that may effect your ability to hammer that hook home. The first being the large thick kicker legs, whenever frog baits have appendages like these there is always the possibility they will get in the way and slightly hinder your hook-up ratio. The second this is the blades themselves. Unlike most frogs that sit ass down, this bait when paused has the blades hanging down.. I have had a few instances in which the fish have hit the blade side of the bait when on the pause.

Availability: 3.5/5

Snag Proof baits are one of the most common frogs available on the market today. But with that said many retailers focus on their standard line (and the Ish series) and not all carry the buzz frogs.. they really should as this bait is very popular and many on-line retailers are often sold out

Options & Price: 3.5/5

Only available in one size and with only 6 colour options the Buzz frog pretty much falls in line with the rest of the Snag Proof family of frogs. it is slightly more expensive then other SG products but since it has some added hardware I understand why the price bump.

I still wish snag proof baits were slightly less expensive, but they are a quality product that catch fish, so I'm not sure I have too much to com pain about.

Where to Find:

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

Snag Proof ($11.00)

Tackle Warehouse ($9.99)

Land Big Fish ($9.49)

Outdoor Pro Shop ($9.99)

Equipment:

All  testing was done on a  Dobyns DX746 this is a new rod in their line-up that handles both hollow and soft plastic baits alike. As for reels, the Daiwa Lexa pairs well with this rod and gives you a nice over sized spool for that added distance and power. Line choice was SunLIne FX2

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): A

Pads (Medium Cover): B+

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C

Walk the Dog: N/A

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: B