Downsize My Frog?

[GoneFishi'n]

I have been fishing a hollow body frog every weekend. I will usually only catch bass at early morning and when it is starting to get dark. I went on Friday night and caught 1 small one and lost probably about a 7 pounder( man was I PO'D!). It shook it's head when I got it to the shore to lip it and came off. I also went Saturday/Sunday morning and Sunday evening and caught one that was about 3 pounds in the morning on Saturday and then one 2 pounder on Sunday morning.. It missed 3 times and finally got him on the fourth cast. I was thinking if I were to use a smaller frog would they hit more because it is not the same frog they see every time. Would I only catch small bass? I was thinking of buying the smallest live target frog or maybe even the medium sized one. Would the smallest one be able to cast far on 40 pound test 832 Advanced Superline( I think that is the name)? Or should I just stop fishing a frog this coming weekend and then fish it the weekend after next? Thanks for any help.

[TrippyJai]

I have had such good hook up ratios with the smaller size frogs that I never to use the regular sizes anymore. They will catch both smaller and larger fish as well.

40lb 832 will be good enough. I normally don't use braid, but the no stretch is good for hook sets far away and also for ripping grass.

BTW, I use PowerPro because it cuts grass better then smoother superlines such as 832.

[BassinLou]

Small frogs are ok. I prefer the medium size live targets, when the fish are on I do not have problems hooking up. The little frogs tire my arm out after a while casting on the BC. On a spinner no prob however I prefer frog fishing on BC. 40lb braid is fine. I personally use #50 PP. Stick with size that was producing for you the most.

[mikey5string]

I dont think they would hit a smaller frog any more than a standard sized one but you may get better hook up ratios.

Another thing to consider is getting a different frog. I have had considerably better hook ups with the Jackall Iobee frog. The body shape and softness makes a difference. Also, the soft plastic frogs are usually a bit smaller and you might find hook ups easier.

Remember to let the fish take it until you can feel the weight on the line. It is very tempting to whack them as soon as they blow up but you will pull the bait from the fishes mouth often like this.

[Diggy]

My boy swears by 45 and 55 size koppers, I use 65 koppers/spro for casting distance. Pad crashers are a bit smaller in size and cheap, great hook up ratios too. I use those on narrower canals.I have been using superglue and mendit to fix them so I havent needed to buy them in a while.

45t

[GoneFishi'n]

Is that your friend?

[papajoe222]

Big or small, the choice is yours, but I'd try different retrieves if you don't feel you're getting enough bites. Sounds like that one that missed it three times had a little difficulty zeroing in on it. That tells me to slow down, or give the bait pause now and then.

You didn't mention whether you were fishing heavy cover, or open water. If it's open water, I'd stick with the smaller baits as the fish get a pretty good look at your offering. In heavy cover, I'd go with a bigger bait to move more water and make more noise. Either way, mix up your retrieve when they stop paying attention to the one you're using or they're not sucking it in for a good hook set.

[GoneFishi'n]

I am fishing a lake that is just chalk full of weeds. But where I usually catch the bigger ones is in this area where a creek comes in and it has clear patches around shallow points and what not. BTW: I have been using the BOOYAH Pad Crasher.