Monday, July 27, 2015

V&M Cyclone Series Buzz Frog Review

Cyclone Seriers Buzz Frog :      Colours: 4   Size: 8 1/2"     Pack Count: 4     
             Leg Style: Buzz               Weight: 1oz


Intro:

The art of the buzz frog system is still being perfected. Most baits in this series are moderately successful but won't blow anyone away. This is the case with the VM Cyclone Series Buzz Frog, a soft plastic toad that on it's own is average at best, but strap on a buzz blade and the fish come running. 


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


This is the 4th buzz frog I have  purchased, it is only the second soft plastic toad version in my arsenal and in all honesty it does have some pro's and con's associated with it (more on that later). The baits overall construction is average, and the toad itself Im not a huge fan of, but it seems to work well when added to the buzz system. Obviously the weakest link here is the toad and unlike the Stanley ribbit version you don't get any extra bodies with this rig, so be prepared to dip into your soft plastic toad arsenal if you want to keep this bait fishing. 




Castability: 3.0/5

The buzz bait portion of this Cyclone causes some serious resistance in the air and you really need to put your back into it if you want to get that extra distance. The toad it fairly lightweight and even though the hook is belly weighted that's more for keeping the rig running properly then it is for added distance.


Presentation: 4.0/5

This has to be the area I'm happiest with when it comes to the Cyclones performance. I was not exactly sure what to expect, as mentioned numerous times I'm not a fan of the toad by itself but for some reason in buzz form it works. This baits swims very well behind the buzz blades and once your find the sweet spot (speed) you should be very happy with its double buzz performance (the blade and the feet).

The biggest issues in its presentation is the beads added to the buzz set-up, these collect debris on the retrace and will gunk-up up if not properly cleaned. This can and will become a pain in the ass if you don't stay on top of it.



Hook-Up Ratio: 3.5/5

The hook-up ratio of this bait if pretty decent, the body of the frog is soft and flexible making sure your can hammer the hook home each and every time. The overall hook quality does not blow me away, but it's decently sharp and shouldn't hurt you out on the water.



Availability & Price: 3.0/5

Not widely available The Cyclone can be found at a few of the big boys, but good luck finding one at most local shops. The Price is decent at $4.99 but unlike some of its competitors the Cyclone only comes with one frog body, this is not a huge issue as if you are like me you probably have dozens of soft plastic toads in your arsenal and should be able to concoct your own buzz frog creation.


Options: 3.5/5

One size and 4 colour options does not make for a crazy selection, but as mentioned above the main portion of this bait is the buzz blade and weighted hook that give you the ability to switch up your frogs body opting for a larger size, a different foot style and of course colour options. So all in all, its pretty damn versatile.



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


Bass Pro Shop ($5.79)

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Equipment:

I completed frog testing with a Dobyns 734c paired with a Daiwa Tatula.  This frequires a rod rated for spinnerbaits or buzz baits but still needs to beef to hammer away those crazy top water explosions. 



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