Hopps Tackle spinnerbaits and buzz baits

I was recently given the opportunity to fish a few spinner baits and buzz baits made by Hopps Tackle, out of Kentucky, by a friend. He knows I am picky about spinnerbaits and wanted me to try them and give him my thoughts. At first glance I noticed a very familiar minnow head on the spinnerbait and a not so familiar frog head on the buzz bait. The baits I was given to try out were as follows: 1/2oz chartreuse/white single hammered willow blade 1/2oz black Colorado blade thumper 1/4oz black frog head clacker style buzz bait and a 1/2oz Silver Shad tandem blade spinner bait. Based on the conditions, I tied the Silver Shad spinnerbait on. This bait features a pearlescent white body with a black upper ridge, 3d eyes and the blades are a two-tone black/holographic silver finish. The skirt is a mixture of black, smoke with blue shimmer. After a long cast and small splash the bait was in the water. A quick snap of the rod and it was swimming. I immediately noticed the vibrations and started a rip and flutter retrieve. As it started getting closer to the boat I wanted to see the flash of the blades and movement of the skirt. This bait looked very enticing and several bass thought so as well. The wire held it's form through three 1-2lb bass. The finish had no signs of wear and the skirt was still intact. While the conditions for a buzz bait were not optimum, I decided to tie the 1/4oz frog head on just to give it a shot. I had never seen a buzz bait with a head shape other than a smooth bullet style until then. The head was black with silver flake and the skirt was black with red flake. It featured a two blade, clacker style prop. I sent it out along the shore line and reeled it as slow as I could to see when it would go under. It stayed on the surface quite well and had a very pronounced gurgle and bubble trail. While I did not get hooked up using this bait, I was pleased with how it looked, felt and performed. I went online and visited the website, www.hoppstackle.com and looked at the current product offerings. I was surprised to see a notation that basically said " if you don't see a color you want, let us know" which seems to give you an option for a custom color if desired. I also found a chatter bait they offer as well. All in all I was impressed by Hopps product offerings and the quality for the price. If you get the chance, stop by their page, check out what the have to offer, I'm sure you will be pleased.