Bass Junkies Frog Pond: Terminator Popping Frog Review

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Terminator Popping Frog Review

Popping Frog: Colors: 16 Length: 2.5" Weight: 9/16oz Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The year of the popping frog continues. I cant confirm that all the big-wigs from the bait companies got together in the off season and agreed to make 2017 the year of the popper, but it sure as hell feels like it.

So here we go, last years Highest rated frog and still the frog ponds reining camp the Terminator frog is back, this time with a big ol' popping mouth, here's what i think...

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: 4.5/5

The Terminator Popping frog is equipped with the familiar tough skin found on the OG version. It holds up very well, fish after fish and it supports even the most aggressive popping action.

I know you will see this one coming when I say that the Terminator Popping frog does take on water if and when you give it a workout. Yes this is common with most if not all popping frogs, but gosh darn it, I expect more.

Finally one of the biggest perks to the this bait (also shared with the original version) is its the narrow ass-end making this bait easy to swallow and ensuring the fish stay pinned.

Castability: 4.0/5

Both Terminator frogs cast well and land with some authority. I love the distance I can achieve even on under-arm pitches. Like with the traditional Terminator frog you can skip this bait but its odd shape can and will catch an edge from time to time.

Presentation: 4.0/5

To walk or to pop, that's the questions here. And in my opinion this frog is better suited as a walking bait and should only really be popped before or after the pause for added effect.

But if you really want to pop a frog you could do worse, the Terminator Frog has a nice wide mouth that spits and pops with the best of them. Again I think my personal preference is bleeding in here as I prefer a quieter spit but for those who disagree, this is your frog.

Hook-Up Ratio: 4.5/5

The Terminator popping frog has all the same traits that made the walking frog a success. It has strong sharp hooks (VMC) and a tapered rear end making sure the fish gets to the hooks quickly and easily. It's silicone legs are well placed and ensure nothing gets in the way of your hook set.

Innovation & Design: 3.5/5

When it comes to innovation and design you just need to ask yourself, is simply adding a popping mouth to your already popular frog enough? obviously Rapala/Terminator thought so, but for my money (and score) I would have liked to see a few more changes.

Hell they used the same mold for the Storm SX Bull frog as well. Is there any other Rapala brands that will be releasing a frog using the same mold?

Availability, Options & Price: 4.5/5

You gotta hand it to them, the Terminator team ain't shy when it comes to offering up color options for their frogs. With 16 Colors to choose from you could spend a great deal of time in the frog isle contemplating life. I would have preferred if they chopped down the color choices and replaced them with a few size options instead.

Price is still a sticky point, this frog hovers around the $10 USD mark making it an borderline expensive non-import option.

Situations for Success:

Even with the added mouth this bait is more successful as a walking frog and works best being popped just after prior to or after the pause. try mixing things up until you can find the speed and combination of walk/pop the fish are looking for.

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($9.59)

Bass Pro Shop ($10.29)

Cabela's ($9.99)

Equipment:

Mixing things up this season I have been working many of my hollow body popping frogs on a Dobyns DX746C, this rod is lighter in the hand but still has all the power you know and love from a 6 power Dobyns rod. The tip is very responsive and works great for popping baits. The Daiwa Tatula CT is my reel of choice offering up great casting and pitching ability.

As with any hollow-body bait, this frog should be worked on 40lb-60lb braid line.