Monday, July 30, 2018

Imakatsu Boota Frog Review



Boota Frog:   Colors: 10     Length: 2.36    Weight: 7/16oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The Imakatsu Boota frog has been on my wish list for a few seasons now, this Japanese import is a sick looking bait that reminds me of a previous favourite of mine the Nories NF60. Its small stature and unique design really sparked my interest and I couldn't wait to get it on the water... want to know how it performed? read on...

Manufactures Description :

Crafted with incredible attention-to-detail like all Imakatsu lures, the Imakatsu Boota Frog is the result of innovative Japanese engineering and thorough field testing. One of the most versatile frogs on the market, it not only walks-the-dog with ease, it also delivers a subtle popping action. Featuring a double-keeled design, which is responsible for the Boota Frog’s effortless walk-the-dog action. The dual keel design also allows it to turn more than 180-degrees to maximize its time in the strike zone and keeps the Boota Frog balanced as it comes across mats and other types of cover, keeping it flat and eliminating the possibility of it rolling onto its side.
Built around a razor sharp Teflon coated double hook with reversed barbs to provide superior hook-ups and fish retention, the Boota Frog also features a molded balancing weight with an integrated hanger that allows you to incorporate rattles or blades to your presentation. Available in a range of highly realistic colors, the Imakatsu Boota Frog is the only frog you need in your boat.


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: 4.55

Unlike their Chinese counterparts Japanese imports are known for breaking the mold and for the quality of the baits they produce. The Imakatsu Boota frog gets check marks next to both of these categories. Its has a unique innovative deign combined with quality components.

The body material is soft and pliable yet durable enough to handle multiple fish. The hooks (though small) are stout and crazy sticky. I'm talking the kind of sticky that after you cast it the frog will come back to the boat loaded with all the mosquito's it hooked while in the air.

My only issue or concerns with the Boota frog is its weight. Although rated at 7/16 oz it fishes much smaller and struggles on heavy pads or being cast for distance.



Castability: 3.0/5

Right out of the gate I struggled with Boota Frog, it fished/casted much lighter than its 7/16 weight and if there was any wind at all (even a breeze) I found myself constantly playing with the breaks. So be prepared to really loosen things up if you plan on casting this frog for any distance at all.

Landing was also a bit of an issue, Imakatsu claims this frog is nearly roll-over proof, but that doesn't stop it from landing on its back and side (more so on pads) and its super sticky hook continuously caught on the pads when landing and I had work to pull it off.

Shorter targeted casts or skipping is where the Boota Frog excels. Its aerodynamic design and sparse thinned out legs make make it easy to skip for distance and also gives it a great soft landing reducing the chances of spooking a fish.






Presentation: 4.0/5

I had a few presentation struggles with the Boota Frog, the first I already touched on in the castabiliy section but it bleeds over into presentation. When the Boota frog lands on pads it quite often landed on its side and back, the hook points and barbs on this frog are super sticky and the frog would actually stick or catch on the pads just from the landing. Meaning you would have to give it a tug or fight the frog just to get your retrieve started.

Once actually started this Boota Frog is a dream to fish. Its walks well (and easily) and its one of the best "walking on the spot" baits Ive thrown. The cupped mouth helps keep the bait in place while still walking side by side. When you do decide to start moving the Boota forward the cupped mouth begins to spit and push water dependant on your retrieve aggression, you can really caused a serious commotion or just s subtle gurgle.

Lastly, The Boota frogs profile is nice and compact, making its an easy eat in the pockets or on the pads.



Hook-Up Ratio: 4.5/5

Size plays a big roll in the Boota frogs hook-up ratio score, this small compact frog can be easily swallowed whole and the strong sticky hooks catch pretty much everything they touch. I love that the legs of the Boota frog are not only placed between the hooks (helping hook-up and walking) but they are also thinned out and almost wispy.

My only concern is with the Boota frogs hook size, I know the frog is small in general but the hooks could use some beefing up as they barely clear the body.



Innovation & Design: 4.5/5

Japanese imports continuously push the envelope and offer us new and unique bait designs that have us drooling. The Boota frog is no different and I have been dreaming of this frog since I got my first glimpse of it 2 years ago. Spro has long been known as the mean mug frog (and Stanford took a swing at this title earlier this year) but the Boota frog has a futuristic mean mug from the SciFi nightmares of your youth. I love it.

As for Innovation the cupped mouth on the Boota frog plays a key role in its performance. It may not stop the bait from rolling like Imakatsu claims but it does offer up an incredible spit and pushes water with every twitch of your rod.

This may seen like a small thing, but I love the thin sparse legs on the Boota Frog, they still offer up a profile on the pause but they stay out of the way of your hook set and create less drag when walking.

Availability, Options & Price: 3.0/5

Not an easy bait to find at your local tackle shop, and even many of the big on-line retailers don't carry it. I held off from importing it and ended up buying mine after Tackle Warehouse added it to their product list. The price is also a little ouchy coming in at $16.99USD or $22CAD

The color options are truly a thing of beauty and although I'm a little disappointed in my choice (its way to close to the color of the pads on my lakes) I love the look, design and finish.




Situations for Success:

To really get the most out of the Boota Frog you should focus on medium to sparse cover situations with target ares you can spot cast to. This is more of an finesse hollow body that is not at its best when covering water with long casts. Focus on short targeted casts to structure and pockets and take advantage of its ability to fish small and stay in the strike zone longer then other frogs.

Use the cupped mouth to add noise to your retrieve and choose the aggressiveness you and 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  ($16.99)

Tackle Japan ($11.58)

J&H Tackle ($16.99)



Equipment:

I fished the Imakatsu Boota Frog on a Dobyns 736c which is my go to power rod when frog fishing heavy cover. I Paired it with a Daiwa Tatula 150 reel with a 7.3:1 gear ratio, these new reels are powerful, lightweight and look awesome.



Field Test Report Card:


Open Water (Sparse Pads): A
Pads (Medium Cover): A+
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C-

Walk the Dog: A+
Popping Action: NA
Sit/Pause: B+

Monday, July 23, 2018

Teckel Maracker Review



Teckel Maracker:   Colors: 10     Length: 2 3/4    Weight: 5/8oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

I love getting my hands on a pre-release frog, and again have to thank  Hideki and the crew over at Teckel for getting us a Maracker early so that we could really put it through its paces. This frog was built to fish aggressively in situation in which your bait can be heard but maybe not seen. This frog is so loud you may want to wear ear plugs when reading the review.


Manufactures Description :

This frog is so new I cant even find a manufactures description. All I know is that Teckel will tell you this is one of if not thee loudest frog on the market (and I think their right) 


Overall Rating: 8.1/10

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




Quality & Durability: 4.05

Teckel makes a great product with a unique  body design and tough but pliable material that holds up not only fish after fish, but season after season. (The Choker is currently my go-to frog when the bite is tough and I need a confidence boost)

The hooks are sharp and well placed, leaving easy access for any fish that decides to eat your frog. The tail or rattle on the Maracker is made of plastic that has been finished in a shiny chrome coating. This is the only part of the frog that I'm worried about durability wise as in all honesty it has a cheap plastic feel to it (like a dollar-store toy) I'm worried that once it makes contact with and any structure above the water (branches, rocks or docks) that it is going to burst open like a piƱata.

With that said I have put the Maracker through multiple days on the water and multiple fish hooked and landed without issue. Fingers crossed I don't find my self cleaning BB's of the boats carpet.


Castability: 4.5/5

Teckel frogs have always been a dream to cast , they have a great aerodynamic shape and their weighted well for both long distance and short skips and flips. Obviously with a large rattle attached to its ass the Maracker will effect its ability to skip as well as other frogs in the Teckel line but overall I had no issues placing it where I wanted to.


Presentation: 4.5/5

This isn't your standard hollow body frog, and the crew at Teckel will tell you it was designed for a more "tactical" approach to frog fishing. What does that mean? it means that it was built to work fast or aggressively in almost any type of cover. The Maracker does a great job of hugging the water even at your fastest most erratic retrieves. The rattle is crazy noisy  and makes it nearly impossible for you or the fish to loose track of the bait.

If you prefer a slower more controlled retrieve the Maracker does that as well.  Like all Teckel frogs it walks easily and can even twitch it in one spot to ensure the fish get a good look at it.

I'm not a huge fan of the sit/pause on this frog, the large rattle tail really drags the ass end down and makes the bait nearly completely vertical in the water. The flash and shine that tail gives off during the retrieve doesn't seem to held it any on the pause and I don't believe any of my strikes came when the maracker was sitting still.




Hook-Up Ratio: 4.0/5

No real concerns here, the Maracker has a nice slender profile that seem to be easy to eat. The hooks are strong and sharp, tuned upwards with just a slight gap off the body.

The only issues I came across were "missed fish" due to retrieve speed. I think this is more and more common as companies start to release frog baits that are designed to be retrieved at greater speeds. The Maracker and the Toad Runner both gave the fish fits, but often the fish blows-up behind or on just a small part of the bait. Once you find the speed the fish can keep up with, you will have no problem hooking them with this frog.


Innovation & Design: 4.0/5

The fishing industry is like a game of chess, and companies seem to counter each others moves. Last season Teckel broke the mold when they introduced the Sprinker Frog, but one short season later they already have competition in the footed frog market, so what's next, lets shake things up again (literally).

The Maracker took criticism early based on the belief that the tail of the bait was a swinging blade, but once anglers started to realize that the tear drop shape tail was actually a hollow plastic loaded with BB's the mood changed. This is something new, and although I would not consider it a replacement for an everyday walking frog, it is great for finding fish on medium to sparse cover or when the pads are thick and you really need to be heard.


Availability, Options & Price: 3.5/5

this is a tough area to rate at this moment mostly because the Maracker is not fully launched at this time. So the fact that it is not readily available isn't a negative, its a timing thing. Due to land this month you will start to see the Maracker showing up in the  normal sports. Some retailers (see below) already have them listed but no stock to sell. Keep your eyes peeled, this one will be ready soon.

At this time it looks like the Maracker will be available in 10 colors and one size. As always the color options are pretty cool with a nice mix of dark and light colors.

The price point is a bit of an ouch, coming in at $14.99USD which is $2 more then the standard Teckel offerings but in line with the Sprinker. If you are an Canadian angler you can expect to see these retailing for close to $19






Situations for Success:

The Maracker frog performs best at a medium to fast retrieve in medium cover and open water situations.  Dont be afraid to really work that rod tip and do your best to drive already aggressive fish nuts! Unlike other baits that tend to skip and hop when you pick up the speed, the Maracker holds to the water and almost dances.

i dont use the Maracker as much in the heavier slops as the rattle and swivel will pick up debris on the retrieve, With that said if you think you need a little extra sound dont hesitate to pick it up and drag it over pretty much anything.



Looking Back:

Back in early June, 2018 we filmed an unboxing of the Maracker Frog and gave a short review of our first impressions. If you haven't already give the video a watch and see how many of those initial thoughts still ring true  HERE



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)

Tackle Supply Depot ($14.99)

Bama Frogs ($14.99)



Equipment:

I fished the Teckel Maracker on a Dobyns 735c which is a great rod when you are looking for a mix of power and tip. I Paired it with a Daiwa Tatula 150 reel with a 7.3:1 gear ratio, these new reels are powerful, lightweight and look awesome.







Field Test Report Card:


Open Water (Sparse Pads): A
Pads (Medium Cover): A-
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C+

Walk the Dog: B+
Popping Action: NA
Sit/Pause: B-

Monday, July 16, 2018

River2Sea Phat Matt Daddy Frog Review

Phat Matt Daddy:   Colors: 10     Length: 2 3/4    Weight: 3/4oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

Put up your hands if you are a fan of the River2Sea BullyWa frog?. If your hands not up then there is a chance that you missed out on a great series of frogs. If you hand is up (you can put it down now) then you, like me, have been excited to test out the newest R2S frog the Phat Matt Daddy, designed with a little help from frog addict Ish Monroe.

Baits designed by Ish always have two things in common, (1) they flat out catch fish, and (2) they have stupid names. Lets see if the Phat Matt Daddy continues the tradition (so far yes)

Manufactures Description :

Crafted by professional angler and frog fishing aficionado, Ish Monroe, the River2Sea Ish Monroe Phat Matt Daddy Frog is made to fish over the thickest and nastiest vegetation with ease. Built with an emphasis on performance, the River2Sea Ish Monroe Phat Matt Daddy Frog is made from a softer, more collapsible plastic and a precisely angled, super-sharp frog hook that ensures rock-solid hook sets. Offered in some of the best frog colors on the market, the River2Sea Ish Monroe Phat Matt Daddy Frog is sure to become a staple among frog fishing fanatics.


Overall Rating: 8.7/10

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




Quality & Durability: 5.05

The R2S Phat Matt Daddy is a beefed up version of the BullyWa frog, its wider, and thicker, with a softer  pliable body material, that so far has held up extremely well during my testing. The Body shape is closer to that of the BullyWa2 but R2S and Ish improved the frog by flattening it out  and making the body longer or at-least it fishes that way.

This is one of the best built frogs I have seen, every component is quality and the finishing touches really show you that this bait is build to last. I really like the added threading on the nose of the bait to help seal it and keep water out. Ish frogs have always focused on staying afloat and the PMD is no different.

At 2 3/4 body length and 3/4oz in weight, the Phat Matt Daddy is a big, heavy frog that even without its added rattle it will make some serious noise.




Castability: 5.0/5

The Year of the large frog is upon on us, and not many standard frogs offer up the weight and profile combination that River2Sea bring us with their "Fat" Phat Matt Daddy. Weighing in at 3/4 oz this frog can be cast for serious distance when needed, and its flat under belly makes it easy to skip up under over hangs and docks, though you may want to remove the rattle to ensure you don't trip it up.

The PMD can be kinda loud on the landing so watch you height or be sure to cast past your targeted area.








Presentation: 4.5/5

River2Sea frogs have always been known for their ease of walking and the Phat Matt Daddy continues that tradition. You can effortlessly walk the frog back to the boat at high, medium and low speeds or really slow things down and also most make it dance on the spot.

The removable rattle was in interesting addition to the frog and I used for the first half of my testing. It was nice and loud but often collected debris off the surface so I ended up removing it and feel that the frog performed better over all without the rattle.

The profile is a bit large for my liking and in a time when it seems like most other companies are looking to downsize their frogs profiles while keeping the weight, the Phat Matt Daddy is easily one of the biggest frogs in my box this season.


Hook-Up Ratio: 4.0/5

Although the Phat Matt Daddy has a wide body, R2S did a great job pairing it with a large stout hook and placed the legs of the frog between the hook points which as you know I believe supports a cleaner hook-up.

The body material is softer then that used on my BullyWa and Bullywa2 and it collapses incredibly well. Even though this is large profile bait it has a knack for making itself small when the fish strikes and more often then not they get the whole thing, or at-least the part that counts.



Innovation & Design: 4.0/5

River2Sea and Ish took what was already a successful frog and turned it up. The profile of the bait was slimmed down from the Chunkier Bullywa2 while the flat back and curves still scream River2Sea to their fans.

The body material has also been changed and feels softer and more pliable while still being durable. The nose of the bait and been wound up to help reduce the amount of water that can come in through the nose as well as keep the hook harness from pulling out while fighting the fish.

The Phat Matt Daddy is designed to be used with their new frog kit and actually comes with a removable rattle. Although this was a nice feature I found the bait fished better without the rattle and have since removed it.

Availability, Options & Price: 3.5/5

The Phat Matt Daddy is available in one size and 10 color options. Either R2S didn't let Ish name the baits (after the horrible job he did naming the frog) or he toned it down a bit as the color names aren't as crazy as they are cool.

Pricing is right on the mark at $10.99, you don't mind paying the extra $1-2 over other similar baits since the quality is there plus they include the removable rattle.






Situations for Success:

The Phat Matt Daddy truly is an all around frog that can be fished in almost any situation. It walks well and sits on the pads squarely ensuring the fish gets the bait when they blow up on it.

The PMD will see most of its time on heavy to medium heavy cover when the fish are aggressive. As mentioned above the larger profile can be an issue when the fish are less aggressive so let the way the fish are striking dictate when you use this bait.


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

Tackle Warehouse  ($10.99)

River2Sea ($10.99)

SFT Tackle ($10.99)



Equipment:

I fished the Phat Matt Daddy on a Dobyns 736c which is my go to power rod when frog fishing heavy cover. I Paired it with a Daiwa Tatula 150 reel with a 7.3:1 gear ratio, these new reels are powerful, lightweight and look awesome.





Field Test Report Card:


Open Water (Sparse Pads): B+
Pads (Medium Cover): A+
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): A

Walk the Dog: A
Popping Action: NA
Sit/Pause: B


Thursday, July 12, 2018

Frog Addicts Unboxing Review - Savage Gear Fruck



Welcome to Frog Addicts Unboxing reviews.  Here you will get an up close and personal  look at at BassJunkies initial thoughts on each new frog fresh out of the package and long befor it hits the water. You cant always judge a book by its cover, or a frog from its packaging.


 No rehearsals, no scripts,  but maybe a few edits. 


This week we take a look at the Savage Gear Fruck.  This frog or should I say duck bait is available in 2 sizes and multiple species crossing colors.

Product Description

ifty-percent frog, fifty-percent duck, one-hundred-percent effective, the Savage Gear 3D Savage Fruck offers a hybrid construction that is in a league-of-its-own in-terms of originality and effectiveness. Built upon a 3D scan of an actual duckling, the Savage Gear 3D Savage Fruck features a soft, collapsible body fitted with two sputtering duck feet that create a subtle, yet enticing bubble trail.

Built around an ultra-strong, ultra-sharp double frog hook, the Savage Gear 3D Savage Fruck delivers an enticing walking action and an enhanced weedlessness that allows it to move over the thickest vegetation. Offered in a number of highly detailed colors, the Savage Gear 3D Savage Fruck delivers a one-of-a-kind construction that is aimed at the largest and hungriest bass that your fishery has to offer.

Product Specs
Weight: 3/4oz
Length: 3"






Watch for a full on the water review coming this summer!


Monday, July 9, 2018

Jackall Kaera Frog Review


Kaera Frog:   Colors: 6     Length: 2 1/4    Weight: 1/2oz   Pack Count: 1

Intro:

Jackall has been producing quality baits for years now, each and every season they add new innovative baits that flat out catch fish. With that said their frog line has been pretty underwhelming, until now!

Manufactures Description :

Designed to not only draw big strikes, but to capitalize on them as well, the Jackall Kaera Frog delivers the perfect blend of form and function. Built with a unique, flat-sided body, the Jackall Kaera Frog maneuvers through heavy vegetation with ease, produces a seductive walking action, and pushes more water than other frogs for an increased attraction.

When big bass strike, the Jackall Kaera Frog features a wide, specially developed hook that results in an excellent hook-up ratio. Offered in a number of awesome amphibian colors, the Jackall Kaera Frog is sure to meet-and-exceed the expectations for frog enthusiasts. .  


Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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





Quality & Durability: 4.55

Jackall makes a quality bait and for the most part I have had little to no complaints with the quality of  Jackall products (minus the Iobee sinking from time to time). The Kaera is no different and may even have stepped the game up, the hooks and sharp, strong and well set, and the body material is tough yet soft where it needs to be. I have fought and landed multiple fish on both Kaera frogs I own (I couldn't choose between the Black Gill and the White version) and neither shows any signs of wear.

Unlike other Jackall frogs (Iobee) the Kaera doesn't seem to be taking on much water except after battling a fish, and the port hole on the rear of the bait allow you to expel any water that does enter quickly and easily. Jackall states the port hole should empty the frog during each cast, but I didn't find it did the job as well as a quick squeeze.


Castability: 4.5/5

The Kaera frog may be tiny in stature but its 1/2oz  body weight ensures you are still able to get the casting distance you are looking for. Its flattish underbelly also makes it great for skipping and although it may be all in my head the smaller profile seems to land with less disturbance than other baits in its weight class.

Because of its size you will want to try to over-cast the Kaera but its really not needed.



Presentation: 3.5/5

This was the only area of let down for me while fishing the Kaera, and not because it didn't perform well, but mainly because I didn't enjoy fishing it. Maybe its because I had just finished fishing the exciting Booyah Baits Toad Runner, but I found the Kaera frog kinda fell flat.

The Kaera has an odd shaped belly that is neither flat nor keeled and I didn't overly like the way it walked on the retrieve and I ended up opting for shorter pulls taking advance of the spitting action this frog was designed to provide. While walking the short body combined with the belly design give this frog an odd rock or hop often skipping across the water like its drunk during faster retrieves.

With all that said working the Kaera over pads and slop is where its at, the heavy body sits tight and puts you in a good position to ensure the fish gets every inch of this bait when they blow up on it. it hits open pockets well and due to its smaller size the fish often see all of it even in the smallest of holes.







Hook-Up Ratio: 5.0/5

Fish simply do not miss the Kaera frog.. period! Its pint sized heavy set body ensures the frog stays seated until the fish shallow it whole. I caught most of my fish with the Kaera deep in their mouth with both hooks in the top of their mouth. This is the perfect frog for those days when fish are just swiping or pulling down your bait. its nearly impossible for even the smallest fish to not get the hooks.

The combination of body size and wide set properly tuned hooks are what makes the Kaera one of the better hook-up frogs on the market today. 


Innovation & Design: 4.0/5

Jackall has always done funky things with their frogs, but in the end it often ended up being more show than go, but in the the case of the Kaera, their decision to down size while keeping the 1/2oz weight truly was a great idea and I feel we will see more pint size options coming from other companies very soon.

The winged out lips that provide the spit were a solid idea but will take some getting use to. At this time I haven't really enjoyed fishing this frog and cant get the hang of making it do what I want it to do, when i want it to do it.


Availability, Options & Price: 4.0/5

Jackall baits are pretty widely available and I had no issues getting my hands on the Kaera frog locally or on-line. Its currently available in 6 colour options and one size. Its prices competitively at $9.99 though you may see some price jumps when purchasing from smaller tackle shops.






Situations for Success:

The Kaera frog is an all around walking frog that excels in heavy cover and slop. it casts for distance and will sit well on all types of cover while its small body gets eaten whole on each and every blow-up.

Don't let its small stature full you, this frog fishes big.



Looking Back:

Back in Feb, 2018 we filmed an unboxing of the Kaera Frog and gave a short review of our first impressions. If you haven't already give the video a watch and see how many of those initial thoughts still ring true  HERE



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

Tackle Warehouse  ($9.99)

Tackle Direct ($9.99)

Land Big Fish ($9.99)



Equipment:

I fished the Kaera Frog on a Dobyns 736c which is my go to power rod when frog fishing heavy cover. I Paired it with a Daiwa Tatula 150 reel with a 7.3:1 gear ratio, these new reels are powerful, lightweight and look awesome.





Field Test Report Card:


Open Water (Sparse Pads): B+
Pads (Medium Cover): A-
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): A-

Walk the Dog: B+
Popping Action: NA
Sit/Pause: C+

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Frog Addicts Newsletter Vol 6 - June 2018


Welcome to the 6th edition of the Frog Addicts Newsletter. Each month we will be reviewing up to the minute frog and bass fishing related news plus recapping the previous months "Best Of" when it comes to social media, frog videos and more.. Here is what's happening in the world of frog fishing.

Frog NEWS and Baits Hitting the Shelves

With ICAST 2018 just around the corner we should start to see more and more frog baits popping up, like these two...




TOUR TOAD 
by Big Bite Baits



Big Bite Baits took to Instagram this month to tease the release of their all new Tour Toad. Although not currently available this bait is scheduled for release in July along side a buzzbait version. If this bait looks familiar you are not alone as it is already drawing comparisons to the Yum Buzz Toad the the Strike King Rage toad. Both are impressive baits, lets see what the Tour Toad has in store.


TIP TOAD
by Yum Baits



Not much info available about the Tip Toad, only that it will be officially released at ICAST 2018 and that it will be available in 10 colors. First impressions are that the Tip Toad should churn some serious water and may see some work under a flipping skirt or on the back end of a jig. Stay tuned more more - COMING TO ICAST 2018






Top Posts from @FrogAddicts

To get your pics features on the @FrogAddicts Instagram page just tag #FrogAddict in your post or send them via personal message, Here are the top five trending images from April 2018



#1 - @pierre_bass_angler

we are currently testing the @booyah_baits ToadRunner and will have a review live in a couple weeks. So far there is much to like with this bait. This is back to back best of the month pics for  @pierre_bass_angler





#2 -  @budgetangler

 @budgetangler showing off his weapon of choice, this @spro.u.s.a frog sure is battle worm, but ready to fight again



#3 - @bassallyearfishing

@bassallyearfishing showing off an impressive frog collection, this is how organized every frog box is on Day 1 of the season.




#4  - GeorgiaBass404!

Awesome pic of the @jackall_usa kaera Frog by @georgiabass404! I love this tiny bite sized frog.



#5 - @keeponcasting

@keeponcasting choking a nice largemouth with what appears to be a @lunkerhunt lunker frog




Top 5 Frog Videos

Here they are, BassJunkies favourite frog videos from April 2018 (we may have cheated a bit here and there). As always be sure to check out our YouTube Channel for frog unboxing reviews, action on the water as well as a collection of our favourite frog fishing videos including the ones below. 


#1 - Frog Fishing this Summer - Everything you need to know

MLF Pro James Watson tries not to piss off Dean Rojas or Ish Monroe while giving up some great frog fishing tips

Feature Frog: Various
Channel: Tactical Bassin










#2 - Two Fast and Simple Frog Mods w/ Seth Feider

Professional bass angler Seth Feider loves bass fishing hollow body frogs for their ability to trigger big bites and fish clean through the nastiest cover.

Although most fish excellently out of the package, Seth usually makes a few modifications he feels increases his hooking percentages. He performs these two tweaks to his preferred frog, a Terminator Walking Frog 2.5. Give it a try and lets us know how it works for you.

Feature Frog: Terminator Frog 
Channel: Wired2Fish









#3 - Bass Fishing Top Water Attacks 

Short and sweet - Sneaky Frog Baby Action Video

Feature Frog :  Molix Sneaky Frog
Channel: Molix Official Chanel 











#4 - Whats Inside "BassAllYear's" Fog Box

This is one of those cheats, this video was not from last month, but since I shared it last month on the Frog Addicts Instagram and FB pages Im calling a audible and sneaking it in... just listen to what Alton has to say!

Feature Frog: Various
Channel: BassAllYear







#5 -  Best frog fishing blowups at Mississippi River

Every time the Bassmaster Elite Series visits the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin there is a plethora of topwater strikes. Here are some of the best visual topwater blowups from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to get you excited for this week's tournament.

Feature Frog: Various
Channel: BassMaster










Monday, July 2, 2018

Booyah Baits Toadrunner Review


Booyah ToadRunner:   Colors: 10     Length: 4 1/2    Weight: 7/8oz   Pack Count: 1


Intro:

It has been awhile since I had this much fun testing out a new frog bait, from the heavy long distance casts to the adrenaline filled retrieves, the Booyah Baits ToadRunner is an absolute blast to fish, though its not without its faults. Here's what you need to know.


Manufactures Description :

The BOOYAH ToadRunner is built around a modified Pad Crasher body. Side rails were added to help the lure plane easier and stay upright. Precisely-sized legs balance and stabilize the ToadRunner in motion, while providing a lifelike appearance and motion when the lure stops. The 360-degree rotating tail creates a plopping sound and includes a molded-in wire - which allows you to bend the tail to change the motion and sound profile as needed. The clear tail helps fish zero in one the ToadRunner's body, where high-quality hooks will strike back when they bite. Use the ToadRunner in the thickest of cover where the big ones live and fish it with a steady retrieve or a stop-and-go-motion.  


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: 3.05

Booyah Baits has always walked that fine line between quality and affordability, for example their pad crasher frogs may wear out slightly quicker then other brands but at the same time they come in at 30-50% less expensive. The ToadRunner although redesigned still ensures that  the Booyah reputation is in tact meaning this bait wont cost you as much as other similar styles frogs (cough cough Teckel Sprinker cough cough) but at the same time it's not going to last you as long either.

The issues I ran into durability wise started to appear after the very first fish, piling or rubs along the body material are clearly visible in the pics provided here and the nose of the bait has also taken a bruising and is starting to peel away (see below image). I also had the the hook harness pull out the nose of the bait after the 2nd and 3rd fish, although I was able to slide it back and and keep fishing it did make the frog less water tight meaning I was left emptying it often

The larger durability issue I have is with the kicker foot, after making a few adjustments and landing a few fish the wire was already ripping the through the bait making it hard to angle the foot how I want, this was and is frustrating and I'm starting to wish they included more then one extra foot in the package.



Castability: 4.0/5

This bait was built to cast, with its flat aerodynamic body and hefty 7/8 weight you can really bomb this frog frog for distance. The same features that allow you to cast a country mile are also the same reason its lands hard and loud. This frog will be a fish spooker on some lakes and you should take caution prior to just letting fly with the bait.

The flat body would also be ideal for skipping, but that dangling foot will trio you up often, so be warned this bait is anything but graceful on the landing.






Presentation: 5.0/5

I love fishing this frog, and we are calling it a frog even though the minute you fish one you will quickly see it has way more rodent characteristics than it does frog. It really and truly is one of the better swimming mouse imitations I have seen, and the fish just tear it up.

The adjustable foot allows you to pretty much choose the speed and sound of your retrieve, as the fish change their level of aggressiveness you can easily change along with them. if the wind picks up and you need to be heard, crank up the level of noise by bending the foot inward and the toad runner will call them in. The pure situational adjustability of the Toad runner is what makes it a special bait.

When paused the Toad Runner sits nearly vertical in the water giving the fish a nice large target. Booyah claims the foot of the bait was left clear to keep the fish from seeing and striking it, at this point Id say that isn't working as I have had more than a  few fish strike the foot missing the rest of the frog entirely.



Hook-Up Ratio: 3.0/5

I'm going to be honest here, I missed a lot of fish with this bait, and many fish missed me. I lost count of the number of fish that short struck the Toad Runner or only got a piece of it. Again this could be the day or the fish, or even me, but the struggle was real. I did mange a few fish, mostly during slow loudish retrieves over sparse cover.  When the fish wanted it, they had to have it and a few of my fish missed and came back for a second swing. At this point in time the toad runner is probably offered me my lowest hook-up ration over the pas few years. With that said it garnered way more strikes then other frogs being tested.

Update: Part of my missed fish may have been due to rod selection, I had originally fishing the bait on a my soft body toad rod, which doesn't require the backbone that I hollow-body rod does.This was a mistake and since upping my rod to the 735 or 736 I noticed an improvement in the number of fish landed.

Innovation & Design: 3.5/5

Here is where I will eat a little bit of crow. When Booyah first announced and hyped the arrival of the Toad Runner I was quick to judge them on the similarities to last season Teckel Sprinker frog, yes the two baits were designed to accomplish the same chunky retrieve but that  really is were the similarities end.

Booyah took their popular pad crasher and flattened it out in order to increase the baits swimming ability over its walking ability. They then trimmed back the legs to keep them out of the way, of the all new 360 degree kicker tail that at first glance may look like the Teckel foot, but an internal wire changes up the game by allowing anglers to adjust the foot either opening it up for a soft more subtle swim or cupping it down for a more aggressive gurgle. The change to the look and sound the ToadRunner makes after even the slightest adjustment is pretty impressive and will have you trying out all kinds of crazy combinations until you find the one that works best for your retrieve.

Availability, Options & Price: 4.5/5

Booyah is one of those companies that retailers eat up, making it nearly impossible not to run into the Toad runner in most Tackle shops. With that said availability may be an issue as the Toad runner is flying off the shelves. Available in  10 color options you shouldn't have a hard time finding one to love.

As for pricing there is a noticeable price hike between the pad crasher ($5.99-$6.99) and the $9.99 price tag on the toad runner. With that said the TR is over 30% cheaper then the Sprinker frog which is the only other comparable frog at this time.






Situations for Success:

The Toad Runner is a great situational frog that can be used to replace the need for a hollow-body and soft plastic toad set-up. If you are fishing an area or lake that finds you constantly switching between a Hollow-body for thicker pads and a toad for covering water in that sparser to medium cover, tie on a toad runner and let it do both for you.

This bait excels in the calm and the storm, try fishing it first thing in the morning to distrust that glass topped lake, and then again when the winds pickup (a time we often drop the top water) and let the loud kicker tail ensure you frog is seen.

With all this said, this is not going to replace your favorite Pad Crasher, if you plan on spending the day in heavy cover and slop, leave the ToadRunner on the dock and let a standard hollow body do what it does best.



Looking Back:

Back in March, 2018 we filmed an unboxing of the Toad Runner and gave a short review of our first impressions. If you havent already give the video a watch and see how many of those initial thoughts still ring true  HERE



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

Tackle Warehouse  ($9.99)

Booyah ($9.99)

Land Big Fish ($9.99)



Equipment:

I fished the Booyah ToadRunner Frog on a Dobyns 734c which is my go to soft plastic toad road rod when covering water. I Paired it with a Daiwa Tatula CT reel with a 7.3:1 gear ratio, these new reels are powerful, lightweight and look awesome. 

UPDATE: I found that the 734 did not produce as many fish as the 735 and 736c although fish are aggressive when taking down the Toad Runner you need a rod to help put those hooks home.



Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): B+
Pads (Medium Cover): B+-
Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C

Walk the Dog: NA
Popping Action: NA
Sit/Pause: C