Tip Toad: Colors: 10 Length: 4" Weight: N/A Pack Count: 5
Intro:
This will be the third YUM frog I have reviewed over the last 6+ years and to their credit each and every one of those frogs has been completely different. From the classic Buzz Frog with that almost tire like rubber (not a complaint) to the oddly shaped Money frog (that was a complaint). What the Tip Toad brings is a streamlined body that cruises through cover and two perfectly place hook point covers that will allow this toad to be fished in almost any situation.
Manufactures Description :
Designed to dominate the buzz frog market, the Yum Tip Toad combines several key features to give anglers the ultimate blend of performance and all out attraction. Carefully sculpted and precisely placed, the Yum Tip Toad’s legs have undergone round after round of refinement to ensure maximum water displacement and create the acoustic equivalent of fleeing prey.
Precisely shaped to generate lift in a hurry, the Yum Tip Toad gets up on plane quickly, so you get the most out of every turn of the reel handle. Along the back, the Yum Tip Toad is molded with hook bend placement notches that ensure proper rigging with 4/0 and 5/0 frog hooks. Offered in a range of pro-selected color patterns, the Yum Tip Toad is sure to be a mainstay among topwater anglers.
Overall Rating: 8.0/10
Each frog is rated on the following criteria: Quality, Castability, Presentation, Hook-up Ratio Available Options, Product Availability & Price
Quality & Durability: 4.0/5
YUM makes a quality bait and the Tip Toad is no different. They ensured they used the right amount of rubber in the right sports to get that perfect mix durability and fishability. The legs and feet are tough and have held up well for multiple fish while the body material also takes to repetitive hookups.
The weak spots on the bait are the hips and the newly designed hook point caps. The hips have been narrowed to hold the bend in your hooks which make that area thinner then the rest of the body. I have had a few baits rip right under the hook leaving the frog a double amputee.
One of the best features on this frog or any new toad this season is the notches that YUM added to the back of the frog allowing you to easily skin hook your hook points when using a double hook. Although this is a great feature the notches get the shit kicked out of them and don't last very long. (but they are great while they last )
The weak spots on the bait are the hips and the newly designed hook point caps. The hips have been narrowed to hold the bend in your hooks which make that area thinner then the rest of the body. I have had a few baits rip right under the hook leaving the frog a double amputee.
One of the best features on this frog or any new toad this season is the notches that YUM added to the back of the frog allowing you to easily skin hook your hook points when using a double hook. Although this is a great feature the notches get the shit kicked out of them and don't last very long. (but they are great while they last )
Cast ability: 3.0/5
The Tip Toad performs best when cast for medium distance or short targeted casts around structure. Even with its aerodynamic design it felt forced trying to get any real distance out of the bait and that always comes at the cost of accuracy.
The beefy legs can make this frog a bit clunky or clumsy when trying to skip, but its doable.
Presentation: 4.0/5
The Tip Toad looks great coming across the water, its give you that great V-shape wake with a nice churn to call the fish up. The thick paddle like legs get it up on plane quickly and easily and give off a nice flutter when you kill the bait during the retrieve.
the Tip Toads design allows you to fish it aggressively in pretty much any water condition and around any structure. The security of having your hook points buried is something not be be undersold as it ensures a clean retrieve each and every time.
I primarily fish soft body toads on screw lock hooks, and the nose of the Tip Toad holds the screw well and keeps your frog running true all day long.
Hook-Up Ratio: 4.5/5
Kudos to YUM for not only designing a bait that fishes well, but also for considering what a bait needs to hook up well. By narrowing the hips and giving you a place to place your hook without having to go through the bait, means there is absolutely no rubber to get in the way of your hookset.
Another important attribute is the notches on the back of the Tip Toad, these allow you to cover the points of your double hook keeping them free of debris even when fishing the nastiest of cover. Clean hooks provide cleaner hookset and hook up ratios. Its that simple.
Innovation & Design: 4.5/5
The Tip Toad is loaded with innovated designs most of them I already covered above. The main innovations in my opinion are the hook holding hips and of course the hook point notches on the frogs back. I do feel that a 3rd notch should have been added for those anglers that prefer to fish the single hooks over double hooks.
Availability, Options & Price: 4.0/5
This frog is still pretty new and I have not seen it hit the shelves in most Canadian retailers. I'm guessing its late release means that it will be way more common in the 2019 season. With that said it is easy to snap up on-line at most YUM retailers.
The price point is a nice selling feature, coming in at $2.99 a pack these frogs will cost you a measly $0.59 a piece.
Color options right out of the gate are healthy (10) focusing mostly on natural colors. This bait is only available in one size at this time. I do like the body length but feel it could use a bit of a bulk up when it comes to the body size.
The price point is a nice selling feature, coming in at $2.99 a pack these frogs will cost you a measly $0.59 a piece.
Color options right out of the gate are healthy (10) focusing mostly on natural colors. This bait is only available in one size at this time. I do like the body length but feel it could use a bit of a bulk up when it comes to the body size.
Situations for Success:
As mentioned above this frog is designed for use in heavier cover situations and is great in medium to sparse cover and grass. it excels in short targeted casts to pockets and or cover and is easy to get up on plane and leaves a nice churn in the water.
Where to Find:
In case you are having a hard time finding these locally, here are some reliable options for you.
Tackle Warehouse ($2.99)
Bass Pro Shop Teaser Tubes ($2.99)
Equipment:
I fished the Tip Toad on a Dobyns 734c or 735c which provides enough tip to easily cast this light weight bait as well as the power to pull fish out of cover. Try using a Diawa Tatula 150 with a 7.3:1 gear ratio and 40lb Daiwa x8 J-Braid.
