Review : Replica Toy Fish

Posted by MNAngler On March - 29 - 2011

Earlier this month, I was contacted by Simeon Chambers of the Replica Toy Fish company. He said he had a product that kids love and parents really appreciate. Not sure of his claim, I checked out his web site. His story was very interesting.

One summer his 7 year old son asked him for a toy Northern Pike. He searched one of the big stores for 20 minutes before finally buying a fishing lure that looked like a Northern. He gave it to his son (after taking off the hooks, of course), and his son loved it even though it wasn’t a very accurate likeness. He decided then and there that he should make a toy replica of the fish that his son and other children would like to play with. Hence, the Replica Toy Fish company was born.

Simeon sent me a sample of his fish for me to evaluate. They came in a plastic “tackle box” with 12 fish that can be commonly found in the Midwest. It was the “Fish of the USA Midwest” set.

 

It contained the following species:


Smallmouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Walleye

Northern Pike

Muskellunge

Tiger Musky

Bluegill Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Crappie

Yellow Perch

Channel Catfish

Brook Trout


He also sent me a larger 6″ musky.

My first impression of the fish was that they were very durable. They are made of a heavy, flexible plastic. The fish themselves aren’t really flexible because they are too thick to bend, but a few of the tail fins bend a little.

The likeness of the fish is better for some species than others. The best replicas are the sunfish. They look very close to the real thing. The walleye is the right shape, but a little too green. And my favorite fish, the smallie and bucketmouth don’t have quite the right coloring. That was a little disappointing, but all were still close enough.

When I took them out of the box and showed them to my 6 year old son, he was very excited. He thought they were very cool. He immediately tried to match them to the pictures to try to identify the fish. So they are also educational.

I really liked the toy fish as they look to be a very good value. The tackle box of a dozen fish only costs $12. The larger muskie runs $3.

He also sells other sets. He has a Pond Fish Tube that includes Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass for $6 and a Northwoods Tube with Walleye, Northern Pike, Brook Trout, Muskellunge, Tiger Musky, and Smallmouth Bass that also goes for $6.

In the larger 6 inch size, he has Northern Pike, Tiger Musky, Alligator Gar, Longnose Gar, Shovelnose Sturgeon, and Channel Catfish for the same $3 price.

He also sells groups of these sets that you can buy as party favors and gifts. Definitely check out his store for the combinations.

I am always skeptical of companies that contact me to check out their products, but the toys Simeon produces live up to his claims. I would recommend them for any kids or grandchildren. They make great gifts.

[Disclaimer: A set of these toy fish were sent to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I have no other relationship with Simeon Chambers or the Replica Toy Fish company.]

8 Responses to “Review : Replica Toy Fish”

  1. Bass Pundit says:

    I think I found a birthday gift for the nieces.

  2. kmurray says:

    I see a gift for my son in the near future! Those look great!

  3. OptimistA says:

    I love that you are such a rockstar that people send you free stuff to review! Awesome!

  4. Emma says:

    Just tell a cool website you’ll review their stuff and they’ll send you free toys and you can give em’ to your child.Lol.

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