First Impressions of Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait promises to be a game-changer for anglers looking to target bass in heavy cover. Made by Booyah, known for its quality fishing lures, this bait combines the proven Pad Crasher body with innovative features designed to enhance its performance. I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype and could become a go-to option in my tackle box.
I was looking for a reliable topwater bait that could handle thick vegetation and produce explosive strikes. Too often, my existing lures would snag or simply not entice fish hiding beneath the surface. The modified design and rotating tail of the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait seemed like the perfect solution.
Upon unboxing, I was immediately impressed with the construction. The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait felt solid and well-made, not flimsy like some cheaper soft plastics. The side rails appeared robust, and the rotating tail had a satisfying clicking sound when moved.
I’ve used the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Blade Minnow and the Zoom Horny Toad extensively. While those are excellent in their own right, the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait stood out with its unique tail design and promise of enhanced stability. I chose this product hoping for better hook-up ratios due to the clear tail focusing the strike on the body.
My first impression was definitely positive. The lure looked and felt like a premium product, and I was excited to put it to the test and see if it could deliver on its promises. It sparked excitement and a sense of anticipation for the next fishing trip.
Real-World Testing: Putting Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait to the Test
First Use Experience
My first outing with the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait was on a local lake known for its dense lily pads and submerged vegetation. I fished it using a 7’3″ heavy action rod and 65lb braided line, essential for pulling fish out of heavy cover. The initial casts were smooth, and the bait tracked straight and true.
The lure performed admirably in the challenging conditions. The side rails really did help it plane across the water’s surface with minimal effort. Even when encountering thick clumps of vegetation, the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait managed to navigate through with minimal snagging.
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait was easy to use right out of the package. Its streamlined design and intuitive features meant I could focus on fishing rather than fiddling with adjustments. I was immediately comfortable with the retrieve, experimenting with both steady and stop-and-go motions.
After a few hours of fishing, I did notice that the tail could be prone to bending. However, the molded-in wire made for easy corrections. The first strike was explosive, a large bass erupting from beneath a lily pad to engulf the lure.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of consistent use, the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait has proven to be a reliable and effective lure. It has become a staple in my topwater arsenal. I have used it in various lakes and ponds, experiencing consistent success in different types of vegetation.
The bait has held up surprisingly well to the abuse of countless casts and aggressive strikes. While the body does show some signs of wear, particularly around the hook slots, it is still very much fishable. The rotating tail continues to function flawlessly.
Maintenance is incredibly simple. I rinse the lure with fresh water after each use and occasionally apply a drop of scent attractant. I also periodically check the tail to ensure it is properly aligned and undamaged.
Compared to my previous experiences with other soft plastic toads, the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait definitely outperforms them in terms of stability, durability, and hook-up ratio. It’s a testament to the quality of Booyah products. It exceeded expectations and became one of the top lures in my tackle box.
Breaking Down the Features of Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait
Specifications
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is manufactured by Booyah. It has a length of 4.5 inches, making it a substantial but manageable size for bass fishing. This size presents a good profile to entice bigger fish.
The key specifications of the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait include its modified Pad Crasher body, side rails, precisely-sized legs, and a 360-degree rotating tail with a molded-in wire. The modified Pad Crasher body gives it a familiar profile, while the side rails enhance its planing ability. The precisely-sized legs offer stability and realistic action, while the rotating tail creates a unique sound and vibration. The molded-in wire allows for adjustments to the tail’s action.
These specifications contribute directly to the lure’s performance by enhancing its ability to navigate heavy cover, attract fish with its sound and action, and ensure solid hooksets. The attention to detail in the design reflects in the lure’s ability to entice strikes.
Performance & Functionality
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait excels at its primary job: attracting and catching bass in heavy cover. Its unique combination of features creates a lure that is both visually appealing and aurally stimulating to fish. This makes it especially effective in murky water or dense vegetation where visibility is limited.
Its strengths lie in its ability to run true, resist snagging, and generate explosive strikes. Its weakness would be its tendency to sometimes need tail adjustments due to it bending. It meets and even exceeds expectations, proving to be more versatile and effective than other topwater baits.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality of the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is excellent. The materials used are durable and resistant to tearing, even after repeated strikes. The weight is well-balanced, allowing for long and accurate casts.
The design of the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is user-friendly. The bait is easy to rig and requires minimal adjustments. There is virtually no learning curve.
Durability & Maintenance
With proper care, the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait should last for multiple fishing seasons. The plastic is tough enough to withstand repeated abuse, and the rotating tail is designed to be easily replaceable if necessary. Basic maintenance is all that’s needed.
Maintaining the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is very straightforward. Rinse it with fresh water after each use, store it in a tackle box away from direct sunlight, and occasionally apply a scent attractant. These simple steps will help to prolong the life of the lure.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait does not come with any additional accessories. However, anglers can customize the lure with different hooks, such as EWG (extra wide gap) hooks, to improve hook-up ratios. Anglers may also experiment with different scent attractants.
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is compatible with most standard bass fishing hooks and tackle. This makes it easy to integrate into an existing tackle box. It is a very versatile lure that works with most bass fishing setups.
Pros and Cons of Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait
Pros
- Excellent Topwater Action: The rotating tail creates a unique plopping sound that attracts fish from a distance, triggering explosive strikes.
- Superior Weedless Performance: The modified Pad Crasher body and streamlined design allow it to navigate through thick vegetation with ease.
- Enhanced Stability: The side rails and precisely-sized legs keep the lure running true, even at high speeds.
- Durable Construction: The high-quality materials ensure that the lure can withstand repeated abuse from aggressive fish.
- Easy to Customize: The molded-in wire in the tail allows anglers to fine-tune the lure’s action to match specific conditions.
Cons
- Tail can get bent out of shape.
- More expensive than some basic soft plastics.
Who Should Buy Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait?
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is perfect for anglers who target bass in heavy cover, such as lily pads, grass mats, and submerged vegetation. It’s also a great choice for those who enjoy fishing topwater lures and want a bait that generates explosive strikes. Pro anglers, weekend warriors, and even novice anglers will find success with this lure.
Those who prefer fishing in open water or clear conditions might find that other lure types are more effective. If you prefer finesse presentations or fishing deep structure, this might not be the ideal choice. Anglers looking for the absolute cheapest option on the market may want to look elsewhere.
A must-have accessory would be a high-quality EWG hook to ensure solid hooksets. Scent attractant can also be a great addition to further entice fish.
Conclusion on Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait
The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait is an exceptional lure that delivers on its promises. Its unique combination of features, durable construction, and weedless performance make it a top choice for anglers targeting bass in heavy cover. While it may be slightly more expensive than some other soft plastic toads, the added performance and reliability are well worth the investment.
The price is justified. The Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait offers a level of performance and durability that is unmatched by other lures in its class. The innovative design and attention to detail make it a truly worthwhile addition to any angler’s tackle box.
I would absolutely recommend the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait to any angler looking to improve their topwater game. It is a versatile, reliable, and highly effective lure that is sure to produce explosive strikes. Don’t just read about it, get out there and experience the thrill of the Booyah Toad Runner Soft Bait for yourself!