Monday, August 11, 2014

Original Slop Frog Review


Original Slop Frog : Colors: 9  Length: 5 1/4"  inch Weight: 0.7oz  Pack Count: 1

Intro:

The Slop frog is a unique frog bait coming out of Beaverdamn WI, USA, the baits are hand poured using quality materials and are equipped with a weed guard and replaceable tail. This bait is as solid as they come and offers up a great flutter on the fall.

Slop frogs are available in King Size, Original and Floating, since I was only able to test the original model I will stick to it for the purposes of this review



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: 4.5/5

You probably haven't seen a bait like this one unless you live in the state of WI, they are a very thick dense soft plastic bait that feel like they have a solid core.. but they don't. The hook is strong and sharp and the removable legs are easy to apply and reapply if needed.

The body of the bait looks like it could last you a lifetime, but if by chance it doesn't, the team at Slop Frog have some tips to help you repair it… check out this video




and for those of you that didn't watch the video, you may have missed the part where Jim talks about their free bait club.. this is a pretty cool idea in which to join you purchase 4 baits for $23.49 (a reduced rate) and each year after that you pay the same fee in order to get free replacement baits if and when your slop frogs become too damaged to fish. You also get a free bait on your first order of the year and a free bait when new products are launched. Anytime you buy 4 or more baits you will also continue to receive the reduced rate pricing.. cool idea for sure


Castability: 4.0/5


The Slop frog is a beast of a bait and can be cast a country mile (thats a saying right?).  It at times can land pretty hard but almost always lands hook-up putting you in great positions to begin your retrieve.

Because of its spoon like shape you need to be weary in windy conditions, if it starts to turn the flat side will blow it off course.. this was never a major issue, just somthing worth noting.

Presentation: 3.5/5

The Slop frog moves extremely well on and over cover, its body shape is very conducive for keeping it running true as well as making a great line or gap in the slop.. this drives fish crazy and helps them see the bait.

When paused the Slop Frog has an great slow flutter.. for a big boy this bait sure can move. I loved pausing it over pockets and letting it drop up to a foot prior to starting my retrieve again.

Warning, your arms will get tired after a day of throwing this baby around, it is heavy and it does sink (flutter) so if your trying to keep it up on top your going to need to be in constant motion. If want a bait you can pause you should look into their floating model (it would be my choice)






Hook-up Ratio: 3.0/5

If I haven't said so already the Slop Frog is a big bait, and fishes like a big bait. The added weight allows it to sit well on slop and/or pads meaning you are in position to hammer the hooks home when a fish strikes. The weed guard collapses easily and the legs are short enough that they stay out of the way of your hook-set.

The overall size and density of the frog may be an issue at times. In all honesty on my first outing with the Slop Frog I missed a very aggressive fish 3 times.. two of those times I felt the fish with the bait in its mouth prior to setting the hook. The third and final miss I let the fish swim with the frog prior to setting the hook, got him halfway back to the boat and he spit it. Seems like he was holding on the bait but for some reason I couldn't drive the hook home.


Availability: 3.0/5

Slop Frog is a Mom and Pop operation (for the lack of a better term) they work hard at putting out quality baits, and regularly ship orders next day. Not currently readily available from many major on-line retailers it won't be long before we start to see them pop up more and more. 

Options & Price: 3.0/5

The Slop Frog is available in Three models.. King Size, Original and Floating. The King is available in 6 colour options and the Original and Floater is available in 9 colours. Each frog can also be customized with the purchase of additional tails.. hell you could also adapt your fav bait into a tail making the combinations endless.

As for price this bait retails for $6.49, and originally I was taken back by this, but when you think how often we spend $10 or more on a hollow-body I guess it is not to far out of line. With that said I would have liked to have seen this frog come in at the $5 mark (splitting hairs I know).

I already discussed the 'Free Bait Club" above, but this is another way you can knock down the purchase price of your baits, by joining the FBC you will be paying $5.87 a bait and free replacement if it becomes un-fishable.




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


Equipment:

The Slop frog is a heavy bait and needs some stout gear. I fished it using the Dobyns 736C with a 300 series Dawia Lexa. Line of choice was SunLine FX2, still the best line available for heavy cover frog fishing.






Field Test Report Card:

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

Walk the Dog: N/A
Popping Action: N/A
Sit/Pause: N/A





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