Jump Frogs VS Soft Frogs

A lot of people have asked us why we don't showcase the ever popular Jump Frog. And the answer is just that...the Jump Frog is popular and needs no introduction as it is easy to use, just cast it and burn it back. And usually, if a fish strikes the lure, it will be hooked automatically. Thanks to the upturned double hooks.
The soft frog (better known as the hollow bodied frog) however needs more varying retrieves and the hookset needs to be spot on which increases the challenge and ultimately the stress of fishing.
The Jump Frog is usually carved out of wood and floats. There are double hooks extending out from behind the body of the lure and these are pointed upwards. It could be made weedless with the addition of small tubes covering the points of the hooks. And like I mentioned earlier, the lure is usually retrieved with haste.
Origin - Thailand. Where it is used to catch Tomans (Giant Snakeheads).

The Jump Frog in action.

They are used with great success in Malaysia.

For us, we are more inclined to go down the unbeaten path where soft frogs are fast becoming forgotten compared to jump frogs.

The thing about soft frogs is that you need to get the retrieve right and remember that these lures are made for Bass. Hooksets are also a skill that needs to be learned through experience as waiting a few seconds and waiting until you feel the fish's weight before setting the hook, does not guarrantee you a successful hookup.

And most of the time, the fish does get away and you seldom would get a second chance in the same area after losing that fish. And such missed hookups will haunt you in your dreams.

So, whatever your fancy. Happy fishing.

New Test Area

Drove around 11:30am (very late) to find a new test area. Used Google Maps to locate likely spots and just drove there using the navigation.
Arrived and started casting the Pocket Frog around...no takers. Maybe my presentation is bad. Looked around and saw 2 anglers fishing on the opposite bank using live frogs. Within 5 minutes, they caught fish.
I moved spot to find another adjacent pool, casted and casted while moving...only small takes not enough for a hookup. The lake was too big and it was midday. So since the bites are slow, went back to the original pond and this time went west from where I started fishing. Saw some surface activities and it looked promising and since it was 2pm+ I casted into shades and under trees. This is when magic happened.
Began casting the Pocket Frog under a tree near the bank and saw a v-shaped wake speeding towards my lure and in seconds, a hit. Waited 3 seconds and pulled my line slowly to feel if the fish still had my lure...and...yes, the fish was there! I prepared to set the hook and struck. I felt the fish was still on and a sizeable one too...and then while reeling the fish in...the lure came flying back to me. What?
I was devastated.
Cast under the tree again and again but no follows. So I packed up and went straight home. Took a shower. Wrote this entry.

Lunkerhunt's Pocket Frog

The Pocket Frog is a smaller version of Lunkerhunt's Lunkerfrog. This particular bait is sized at 1.75" and weights in at 1/4oz. We bought one in the King Toad colour scheme.

At USD 7.49, the Pocket Frog is somewhat overpriced.

Comparing this with the River2Sea's Bully Wa 45, this frog is slightly smaller and is better suited for our local Channa Striata (Haruan). The legs extend on the retrieve, exactly like it's big brother. We have had several takes in the first few casts on our field test session. This is promising as this time we conducted the test in a heavily pressured area.

Side by side with the Live Target Koppers Frog

Hopping this frog onto or near vegetation really made the magic happen as the frog was thrown about because of fish strikes. Casting this lure is effortless (must be due to my Hedgehog Studio's ZR bearings) and smooth.

We caught one nice Haruan on the very first cast, without even reeling in! When the frog touched the water,  it was taken immediately. I waited a few seconds before striking and got the Haruan solidly hooked. After landing the fish, I wanted to remove the hooks but the frog was totally engulfed by this fish and the hooks were stuck solid on the fish's lower mouth.

It was a juvenile haruan which took my offering and even though its size is small, the fish totally swallowed the bait.

The rubber on this frog had some teeth marks from the Haruan and although it is easily collapsible, durability is a bit doubtful as our predatory fishes are all equipped with sharp teeth. But as with other soft plastic/rubber frog lures, they were made with the American Bass in mind.

The double hooks look well built and I would need to hook up with a lunker fish in order to really know its durability.

The double hooks were dislodged from the body by the fiesty Haruan

Remember the Lunker Frog? Well, it had so many takes but hookup was bad maybe because of the smaller sized fishes. It was named "Lunker Frog"  because is was made for big sized fishes.

Anyway, I can't wait to conduct more field tests with the Lunker Frog & Pocket Frog. Hopefully, I can also test out the new Deeper Fishfinder that's on its way. Fishing from the bank would limit my tests but I will definitely use the Deeper Fishfinder on a friend's boat once I get the  chance.

All in all, the Pocket Frog is a fun frog to have and enlightens you with it's flailing legs when the bites are slow.

The lure comes in 10 colour options. The Pocket Frog and Lunker Frog can be ordered online from popular e-tailers.