Gambler Buzzin’ Cane Toad

We all know about frogs for summer bassin’ but there are still lots of folks who haven’t taken the plunge and given the newest generation

Cane Toad Packaging

of soft plastic buzzin’ frogs a shot. Earlier in the year we reviewed the Attraxx Mystic Frog and we’re pleased with its performance. Since then, we acquired another frog that is very similar in design and application to that, the Gambler Buzzin Cane Toad.

This bait is 4.5 inches long with two buzzin’ legs and a very similar canoe shaped underside. The colors are limited but well thought out. The product is consistent from one color to the next in terms of size, weight and structural features.

The biggest concern with baits of this style is how fast or slow they can be fished while staying on the surface with the legs kicking. The Gambler does a very good job of allowing the angler to use it for a variety of speeds, even pausing to allow the bait to sink when running it over an open hole in grass mats. The weight of the bait allows for good distance when rigged with nothing other than a 4/0 EWG on both casting and spinning gear. This can be a critical factor when choosing a bait of this style.

Another advantage to the Buzzin Cane Toad is that it is excellent when it comes to maintaining its position in the water. Even if it lands upside down, simply starting your retrieve gets the bait right side up in a hurry. In our testing, this toad tracks true as well. Now I suppose if you really wanted to align your hook way off center, you could theoretically make the bait run to one side, but why would you want to? There is no tuning or complex rigging necessary to fish this bait. Just thread it on the hook like you would a worm and you’re ready to go.

Buzzin’ Cane Toad Retrieves And Tips

We’ve fished this bait throughout the summer season, always putting it in harm’s way and have been pleased with the results. You can use a straight retrieve, pop it during your retrieve, allow it to sink and speed it up or slow it down. Generally speaking, we were able to get some fish to strike when we were throwing the Cane Toad. It was all a matter of varying our presentation to suit what the fish were responding too.

Another less utilized retrieve is to rig the Buzzin Toad on a Texas rig. By keeping the bait down at the bottom of the lake, it imitates a frog who is looking to bury itself in the mud. We employed short jerks with longer drags when using it this way. During the spring and early summer, this was an effective way to fish the toad. Just because it’s underwater doesn’t mean the legs quit kicking when it’s moving.

However, our favorite way to fish the Toad was definitely as a top-water bait. Our hook-up ratio when fishing it on top was excellent. Due to the lack of plastic the hook point has to go through and the fact that the fish hit this bait as it was moving, setting on a strike didn’t require swinging for the fences. In about half the hits, the fish set themselves just by taking the bait under.

The toad

This is good bait for novice fisherman to use who are experimenting with top-water as they can throw it for good distance and the retrieves are both uncomplicated and don’t require a high level of skill to master.

The Gambler Buzzin Cane Toad is about $3.50 for a pack of 5 and are better than average in the durability department. This makes them a decent value in today’s market.

Gambler Buzzin' Cane Toad
Overall Rating
Great price, good action, and above average durability

See ya’ on the water …