BLITZ LURES BUZZ PHROG
One of our favorite new topwater lures for 2019!
Recently, #karlsbaitandtackle sent me a batch of lures they've newly added to their store so I could film a video breakdown of them for their Youtube channel (https://youtu.be/bKAv30hO2vI). In the batch was this topwater frog with floppy, soft plastic legs. I wasn't quite sure what to think of it at first. I've never used the soft plastic buzz frogs before, so I didn't know what kind of action those paddle tails produced.
I didn't want to use the lure until I finished up all of my filming because I was afraid I'd lose it and wouldn't be able to deliver the final video, so I impatiently waited. It was a tough wait because I was so intrigued by the design. When I finally got it out on the water, I was blown away by the action it produces. I'd compare the buzzing of the paddle legs to the action of the whopper plopper. I thought, "this is absolutely going to drive bass crazy," and lo and behold, I caught a 2.04 lb bass on the very first cast!
It took me by surprised because, to be totally honest, my first impression of the lure when I got it in the mail, without any prior experience with the traditional buzz frogs, was that it looked gimmicky. How many times have we as fisherman been duped into buying a lure that doesn't work because it looks cool? I've been there more times than I'd care to admit. Some lures are simply made to catch fisherman, not fish. But let me assure you, this isn't one of those lures. It works incredibly well. Luckily, I had my GoPro rolling when I got bit the first time. Check out the footage above.
THE DESIGN
So let's talk a little bit about the design that makes this frog so great. The lure's main body is like most hollow body frog lures on the market. It is, however, quite soft compared to it's competitors, making it easier to set the hook. This is reinforced by a slightly thinner gauge, ultra sharp VMC hook. The thinner wire makes for better penetration on hook sets, and so increases hookup ratio which is HUGE in regards to topwater frog fishing. It can be tough to set the hook with a hollow body frog if you don't allow the fish enough time to eat it.
Next, there's an integrated weight in the belly that allows for long casts, and ensures the lure lands right-side-up every time. This is a feature that I love because I've had problems in the past with my frogs landing upside down. I've also had frogs that were ultra light and difficult to cast. The Buzz Phrog casts beautifully, and you can really get some distance with it.
THE DOWNSIDE
No lure is perfect, and the Buzz Phrog is no exception. In this case, the achilles heal is the belly weight. While it's a fantastic feature that helps with casting and stabilization, it also seems to easily fall out. After only a week of using the lure, the weight disappeared from the belly after a bass hit it and I missed the hook set. This is an easy enough fix, though, if you're aware of the problem. Just add a little superglue to reinforce the area and you should be all set. Aside from that, however, this is a well made, solid topwater lure.
CONCLUSION
With its incredible action, and thoughtful design, this lure sets itself apart from your typical hollow body frog. The buzzing sound is sure to drive bass absolutely bananas, which should translate into some major blowups. After pulling some nice bass in with this lure, during what's been one of the toughest years for bass fishing in recent years for me, I'd rate this a solid 4.5 of 5 stars, and a MUST HAVE for any tackle bag. If you're interested in grabbing a Buzz Phrog for yourself, check them out at https://shopkarls.com/blitz-lures-buzz-phrog. They come in 4 different color patterns (Black Rattler, White Rattler, Brown Rattler, and Margarita), and they retail for $9.99; only $6.99 with your Karl's Club membership!
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