Sprinker Frog: Colors: 8* Length: 4.25" ** Weight: 5/8oz Pack Count: 1
Intro:
This is an early season (or should I say pre-season), pre-lease review of the all new Sprinkler frog from Teckel Lures. The Sprinker frog should be hitting the shelves sometime this June, here is your first look sneak peek!
Overall Rating: 8.3/10
Each frog is rated on the following criteria: Quality, Castability, Presentation, Hook-up Ratio Available Options, Product Availability & Price
Quality & Durability: 4.0/5
Like its older brothers the Choker, the Honker and the Whacker the Teckel Sprinker is a high quality bait. Its made with the same body material as the rest of the Teckel frog family, its a nice, soft, pliable plastic that should hold up well fish after fish. The hooks are strong, sharp and well positioned to ensure the only thing they hook is a fish.
At this point in time I have deduced 0.5 marks for the new soft plastic tail. Anytime you add an element that can easily be chewed up or ripped up, it will effect the longevity of the baits lifespan. At this time I can't confirm if Teckel will be offering replacement Sprinker tails but this angler believes they should.
Castability: 4.5/5
All Teckel frogs are designed with slim aerodynamic bodies that cast extremely well. The Sprinker may not skip as well as the other frogs in their line-up as it tends to trip over its own foot.
This frog excels in long cast scenarios in which a lengthy retrieve ensures the fish get a nice look at the Sprinkler tail in action.
Presentation: 5.0/5
When I first saw the Sprinkler Frog I will admit that the word "gimmick" crossed my mind. But After one single cast I was sold. This bait kicks up some serious water and I often wonder why Teckel didn't call it the "fire hose" instead of the "sprinker". Even on a moderate retrieve this frog moves more like a buzz bait then a frog, but its soft plastic foot bounces off the water and the weeds unlike any buzz bait Ive thrown. It has some similarities to the way a River2Sea Whopper Plopper moves, but without the messy treble hooks that get caught up in floating debris.
With all this in mind you don't get the full satisfaction of watching this frog swim when fishing it in heavy cover, so as the going gets tough, pick up the Choker and leave the Sprinkler for less congested situations.
Hook-Up Ratio: 3.5/5
You know my rule, anytime a frog comes equipped with an appendage that can and or will get caught up on the hooks they are going to loose a few marks on the hook-up ratio.. I think you would agree that a large soft plastic foot counts as an appendage that may effect your hook-up ratio.. keep in mind fishing this frog is well worth occasional foul up.
Innovation & Design: 4.5/5
Close to perfect marks here, this all new frog offers a completely different look to both anglers and fish alike. As mentioned above I really thought it looked gimmicky but the minute I saw it move on the water I was hooked.. i cast it with a smile all day long.
Obviously I couldn't give perfect marks here, as there is the age old question, what came first the Swamp Donkey or the Whacker, until I know the answer,they both only get part marks for innovation.. even if one has a super cool buzz-foot.
Obviously I couldn't give perfect marks here, as there is the age old question, what came first the Swamp Donkey or the Whacker, until I know the answer,they both only get part marks for innovation.. even if one has a super cool buzz-foot.
Availability, Options & Price: 3.5/5
I can't really speak to this one yet, I expect you will easily find this frog on Tackle Warehouse and a few other sites, but until I see them listed I can't give a true score in this situation. I can tell you that the only site currently listing them is BamaFrogs, they are offering a pre-order (see below). In the Pre-Order they list 8 colors, and have it priced at $13.99
Situations for Success:
You know those times when you hit the lake and the conditions are just perfect for top water, but you're just not sure if you should throw a frog, a buzz bait or maybe even a whopper plopper? That's the exact time you should pick up a Sprinkler frog.
It has the best characteristics of each of these baits and fish in many situations that they can't. Id look for sparse to medium cover, you want to work a Sprinkler frog between various points of structure and targets. its best to keep this frog moving, even if your working it slow.. its not the prettiest on the pause, so move it as much as you can.
Where to Find:
In case you are having a hard time finding these locally, here are some reliable options for you.
Tackle Warehouse (Coming Soon!)
Bama Frog ($13.99)
Equipment:
The Sprinkler frog pairs well with a Dobyns Sierra Series 735 which provides enough tip to make accurate casts all while still having the backbone needed to haul fish out of the nastiest of cover. As always I paired it with a Daiwa Tatula, this time a CT model.
As with any hollow-body bait, this frog should be worked on 40lb-60lb braid line.
As with any hollow-body bait, this frog should be worked on 40lb-60lb braid line.
Field Test Report Card:
Open Water (Sparse Pads): A+
Pads (Medium Cover): B+
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C
Walk the Dog: C
Popping Action: N/A
Sit/Pause: B
* Color Options are listed as per what is currently available on the Bama Frog pre-order form
** Length included the entire frog, not just the body.
** Length included the entire frog, not just the body.
