Scum Frog Pro Series Frog Review

Pro Series : Colors: 7 Length: 2.5"  inch Weight: 1/2oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

One thing you should know about me, is that Im a Scum Frog guy, I started frog fishing with a scum frog and to this day I always have a few of them in the boat with me. Im not it would seem a "pro series scum frog guy". Fishing with this frog kind of felt like they were trying to take my favourite bait and change all the things I love about it so others will love it too, all the while turning it into somthing that is not a scum frog? make sense?

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.5/5

When it comes to quality and durability this is still a good ol' scum frog, same durable skin with just a few new bells and whistles. This frog holds up well to the abuse frog fishing put a bait through and will last fish after fish without sinking. (But it's not a scum frog)

Cast ability: 3.5/5

The Pro Series is beefier then standard Scum frogs and and will give you some added distance you dont usually attribute to scum frog fishing. A rattle has been attached to the shank of the hook helping sit the bait down a bit better and ensuing it usually (not always) lands belly side down. (But its not a scum frog)

Presentation: 3.0/5

The Pro Series is a walking frog, it has long silicone legs and a split ring added to the nose for a little extra freedom on the retrieve. I did have some issues with this frog cover situations but for the most part it walks as expected. (but its not a scum frog)

Hook-up Ratio: 3.0/5

This is one area that the improvements made to the Pro Series Scum Frog effect the baits overall ability. The Addition of the rattle along with the change in body style decrease its hook-up ratio. I know they claim the rattle is "out of the way" and maybe this was all in the my head, but the hooks dont expose as easily and the hard rattle/plate seems to be the cause. I think I would have preferred loose rattles to this secured option.

Availability: 4.0

It's scum frog, and no matter the size of your local bait shop the stock this line of baits. Decent price points combined with a good reputation make this one a no brainer. With that said if you live in an area and can't get scum frogs.. time to move.

Options & Price: 3.5/5

Adding the word "Pro" to the title lets you know that this bait will be more expensive then the standard Scum frog, and I do understand the price jump. I just dont understand the need for the frog. Scum frogs work under a certain set of scenarios, and when those are not present I won't jump to this bait but instead of one the many other hollow bodies that do what the Pro Series claims to do.

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($5.99)

Sportsman Warehouse ($6.99)

Northern Lure Company ($7.00)


Equipment:

All  testing was done on a  Dobyns DX746 it is my go to rod and handles both hollow and soft plastic baits alike. As for reels, the Daiwa Tatula HD pairs well with this rod and gives you a nice over sized spool for that added distance and power. Line choice was SunLine FX2

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): B

Pads (Medium Cover): B

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): C-

Walk the Dog: B+

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: B-

NetBait Kickin B Review

Kickin B Standard:      Colours:10   Size: 4"     Pack Count: 5
Kickin B Mini      :      Colours:10   Size: 3.5"     Pack Count: 5               

Leg Style: Buzz              Weight: N/A

Intro:

This is NetBaits first time in the frog pond, and so far its made a pretty decent splash. The Kickin B is the second frog this year that fits into both the soft plastic toad as well as the "cross over bait" categories, meaning its the perfect combination of flipping bait and toad. 

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.5/5

The Kickin B has a rockin body, nice and thick with plenty of ribs to churn the hell out of the water. As the legs taper down they start to thin out in order to give the bait its presentation, unfortunately this is also the baits weakest link (see the last photo). It will hold up for a few fish, but tail grabbers and toothy critters will be the death of the Kickin B

Castability: 3.5/5

The Kickin B has a thin slender body that casts fairly well. It could use a bit more weight if you are looking for serious distance or of course you could also added a belly weighted hook (but that makes the retrieve that much harder). Flipping is what this cross over bait does best so keep this frog in your bag for shorter targeted casts to structure or around docks.

Presentation: 4.05

I'm a big fan of the way this frog swims. Its the perfect mix between a buzz frog and a swim frog. The legs are swim style legs giving a nice churn behind the bait, while the ribbed body offers extra bubbles around the bait as it moves through the water. I can hear Jaws music in my head on each and every retrieve. 

Hook-Up Ratio: 3.5/5

The frogs Slim body and tucked in legs make for an above average hook-up ratio. The only areas in need of improvement would be that there is no easy way to skin hook this bait, the bodies material is a bit tougher than most and doesn't easily hide a hook point. Its also too slender for a double hook, which when Im fishing open water is my preferred hook (at this moment in time)

Availability & Price:3.0/5

NetBait products are hit and miss in Ontario, I have no dealers close to me so refilling my arsenal will become a chore. On-line they are fairly common so add a pack to your next tackle warehouse order. The price is great at under $0.80 a piece.

Options: 3.5/5

Available in two sizes and 10 colours Netbait would seem to have your options covered. But because this is a crossover bait and not a standard frog I think they are missing some key colours when it comes to toad fishing.. white being one of them. 

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($3.79)

Net Baitt (direct) (N/A)

BassTackle Depot ($3.99)

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Equipment:

I completed all my testing with a Dobyns 734c paired with a Daiwa Tatula HD.  This frog is needs a rod that will allow you to manoeuvre it around cover while still hauling big bass out of the grass..

Reaction Strike Revolution Rat Review

Revolution Rat : Colors: 3  Length: 3"  inch Weight: N/A Pack Count: 1

Intro:

I have to be honest here, the revolution rat is a better bait then it looks. And lets be doubly honest, that ain't a hard accomplishment since this bait is uuuggllyy! But, if you're in the market for a decent swimming hollow body rat, you've come to the right place (just be sure to put a bag over its head)

Overall Rating: 6.7/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.0/5

If we continue on this honestly train, then you and I both know that Reaction Strike is not exactly known for building quality baits. Hell I'm not sure they could patten a single bait design since most look awfully familiar. With all that said they have made a rat that's more durable then Live Targets prices mouse.

Cast ability: 3.5/5

Not exactly built with flying in mind, this bait casts average at best but lands fairly well due mostly to its bulbous balloon like body. The thick tail and plump body shape can make it awkward to skip but don't give up, it can be done,

Presentation: 3.5/5

The Revolution Rat offers up a mixed bag when it comes to on water performance. It;s at its best in open water to medium/sparse cover. It walks very well and the tail acts like a stabilizer allowing you to retrieve at high speeds without blowing a tire. As the pads and slop get thicker the Revolution Rat starts to lose its luster. The round body shape begins to roll as you try to slide it over any type of cover and you will quickly become frustrated.

Hook-up Ratio: 3.5/5

Here again the Rats body shape and long thick tail can be a hindrance. As you know I'm looking for baits with little to no interference and the Rat comes closer to protecting the hooks then it does hiding them. The body of the Rat is nice a flexible and will collapse on contact just watch out for that tail.

Availability: 3.0

Reaction Strike is not exactly common in most parts of Ontario, and I'm somewhat surprised. No based based on quality but based on pricing. Many stores now focus on moving more and more low end baits to weekend warriors and stick only a few for the guys willing to spend serious money on baits. I expect to see more reaction strike on retailers shelves soon (sigh)

Options & Price: 3.5/5

Only offering up 3 colour choices and 1 size option the Revolution Rat is not exactly blowing you away with its selection. But prices at under $7 a bait its worth the initial purchase just to say you've tried it.

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($6.99)

Sportsman Warehouse ($7.99)

Reaction Strike ($8.99)


Equipment:

All  testing was done on a  Dobyns DX746 it is my go to rod and handles both hollow and soft plastic baits alike. As for reels, the Daiwa Tatula HD pairs well with this rod and gives you a nice over sized spool for that added distance and power. Line choice was SunLine FX2

Field Test Report Card:

Open Water (Sparse Pads): B

Pads (Medium Cover): B

Slop & Grass (Heavy Cover): D

Walk the Dog: A+

Popping Action: N/A

Sit/Pause: C+

Luck-E-Strike Frantic Frog Review

Frantic Frog:      Colours:7   Size: 3"     Pack Count: 5     

             Leg Style: Buzz              Weight: N/A

Intro:

This is not only my first time reviewing a Luck-E-Strike frog but it may also be the only one of their baits in my current arsenal.  And after getting to spend some serious time on the water, believe me, it ain't staying there. 

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

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

Quality & Durability: 3.0/5

When it comes to quality and durability the Frantic frog is kind of a mixed bag. The rubber is nice and dense making the body and nose of this bait robust. With that said the scrawny legs are a weak point and will be the first to go in battle.

Overall I may be bias here as I don't like to give the bait makers a ton of credit when at first glance the Frantic frog can easily be mistaken for the Gambler Cane Toad, and with Chris Lane putting his name on it, its not hard to see why. 

Castability: 3.0/5

The Frantic frog really lives up to its name when you cast it, its thin body easily catches air (not in a good way) and can cut or knuckle in the breeze. Again you can see that Luck-E-Strike tried to emulate the Gambler Cane toad but by taking a little too much off they have really altered how this bait fishes and is cast.

The ultra flat belly does allow for  decent skipping bait. I wish i liked the fall the bit more as what good is a skipping frog that can't fall? 

Presentation: 3.55

The similarities between the Frantic Frog and Cane toad end once they hit the water. This bait attempted to recreate a popular frog while still making it look different (I commend them for trying) but with that said, they failed.

Both baits have a flat bottom and thin profile, but Luck-E-Strike took a bit to much off the Frantic frog with makes it almost surf at times if your retrieve picks up. I also found that the paddle feet were almost a bit to heavy for the thin round legs making them trip over themselves on the retrieve.

The worse part about this baits design is its back, there is absolutely no place for your hook point to hide and if you are fishing any sort of cover be prepared to spent time cleaning your hook(s).

Hook-Up Ratio: 4.0/5

The score here really relates to the fact that there is little to nothing to this frog so it is quite easy to get the hooks into a fish. My main issue was hook placement, as you can see I tried running a double hook on the Frantic frog but it was hard to centre and even harder to hide the points. Due to is light flimsy body this frog will land upside down and you sill have a hard time dragging it back. A single hook is a better option but not by much.

Availability & Price: 3.0/5

When ordering this bait I didn't even know it was a Luck-E-Strike product, I guess that's how long it has been since Ive seen their baits on the shelves of my local shops. I have yet to see this frog in any of my travels and with how poorly it fished Id be surprised if I see it any time soon.

Pricing is under the $1 a bait bench mark but not enough to make it worth purchasing even to try.

Options: 3.0/5

One size and 5 colour choices make the Frantic frog feel like it was rushed to market. Again the colour choices are good, but nothing that says wow.  

Where to Find:

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

Tackle Warehouse ($4.99)

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Equipment:

I completed all my Frantic frog testing with a Dobyns 735c paired with a Daiwa Tatula HD.  This frog is light and flimsy, so dropping down in power may be needed. Try a 734c for a bit more action.