Rage Toad Hookups

[Surveyor]

Tried the RT last weekend. Got plenty of action but only one hookup.

I had a couple of problems with weeds, and toad swimming upside down also.

I called myself rigging like the website says with disappointing success in all three problems, weeds, upside down and hookups.

When using 4o WG hooks and leaving the eye exposed all three problems were bad.

Tried 4o WG running the hook further into the toad This  solved the weeds problem but still upside down about half the time.

Finally tried a 5o WG starting the hook just a little bit above center and coming out almost at the hook slit in bottom of toad. This required the reentry of the hook very near the rear of the toad and skinning the hook no where near the hook slot.

This did solve the weed, upside down problem and I finally got a hookup. I was limited in how long I could try this however and was just curious to see if anyone else has a solution to these problems.

 

I went out yesterday to try some more but water was too cold for much action. Did throw the annaconda a little and caught 2 four pounders. I really like the action on both and as you can see can't wait for spring. Gonna try the toad again today before the Falcons beat the Giants. Maybe he waters a little warmer again.

[gripnrip]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-rage-tail.html

Straight from the creators mouth.  You can also go to the rage tail website.  Click on the Rage Tail icon and then proceed to their "how to rig" and you can see diagrams of how to rig them.  

 

I purchased some rage toads to try this year and some hollow body frogs as well.  I will have a dedicated rod and reel with me every tournament this year to do some froggin!

[roadwarrior]

Good luck to your Falcons, but they have ABSOLUTELY no chance of beating the GIANTS today.  

 

Maybe a shot at the 49ers.

[Shane J]

I would most definitely stick with the heavy wire 5/0 hook, and follow the rigging instructions on the Rage Tail website. I use Moaner Strokers, but Gammies and Owner Twistlocks are good, as well. When you rig it, there should be a slight arch in the belly of the bait. To achieve this, insert the hookpoint closer to the a$$ end of the Toad. All three problems will go bye bye.

[basser89]

My success using the Rage Tail Toad has come using a 5/0 Gamakatsu Deep Throat Wide Gap Hook. 

 

http://www.***.com/Gamakatsu_Deep_Throat_Wide_Gap_Hook/descpage-GDTH.html

 

Unless they are short striking, nipping at the legs only, I have a good hook up rate. If the bait starts swimming "belly up", I'll pause the bait for a 3 count and it rights itself. 

[Surveyor]

Thanks guys. I missed the part about a hook slot in the back and haven't noticed it while fishing. Must have gotten the 4o EWG hook from the video. Most of my experiments kinda wound up like the literature from RT.

 

Giants huh   . Well I'm more of a Braves fan anyway kinda auto think that way.

 

OK 60 degrees now gonna head out.

Will post pics.

[Shane J]

Right on!

[Surveyor]

 

Only got one to brag about. 3 lbs on Anaconda. No luck on toad they were still deep. Water just at 55 degrees.

Just a couple more degrees and they tear up anything on top.

 

Oh did catch a crappie on the giant anaconda about 2 lbs

[Shane J]

Nice job, man! Did you get that Toad running right, though?

[Surveyor]

Nice job, man! Did you get that Toad running right, though?

Yeah its running right now.

Too bad I didn't get any action.

Springs coming soon here.

[Shane J]

Glad to hear it. Yeah, warmer water coming soon, and that's a great bait to get it done when they want it on top. 

[Big-O]

Rig as illustration shows and problem solved. Hope this helps.

http://www.ragetail.com/news/rigging-info/

 

 

1) The Rage Toad provides more splash and water movement than any other soft plastic Toad or Frog design. It is slightly less aggressive than the Rage Shad and excellent in both open water as well as over pads and grass beds.

2) The Rage Toad should be rigged on a 5/0 minimum EWG Superline hook. Insert the hook point in the nose of the Toad approximately 3/8 to ½ inch and bring it out under the toad’s chin. Push the hook completely thru turning it over so that the point of the hook is pointing towards the bottom of the Toad. Leave the eye of the hook slightly exposed in the tip of the nose. Re insert the hook completely thru the belly just ahead of the V between the Toads legs and lay the hook point and barb in the recessed back slot. Then push the point forward to skin hook in the front of the slot to make it totally weedless. Important to keep the nose and bottom of the Toad in its original keel or boat shape so that it will plane out on the surface easily and run perfectly true. If hooked incorrectly, the Toad’s back will be bowed upward and the toad will flip over on its back during the retrieve.
3) You can also use a keel weighted hook for similar top water action and receive further distance in casting and/or wake bait swimming just below the surface.

4) When using screw lock hooks, you can go up on the hook size up to 5/0 and 6/0 as they allow the hooks eye to set more forward than a standard 5/0 EWG hook and won’t stretch out the overall length of the body.

5) Important – Pause a second after the strike to let the line tighten or let the fish load up on the Toad before setting the hook. Many times with top waters on the original strike, the fish will try to cripple the bait then they will quickly turn and eat it. So this slight pause before setting the hook is recommended.

[War Eagle 44]

I use an Owner Twistlock XXX #5132 in the 5/0 size and I replace the medium CPS that comes on the hook with Owners largest CPS. Holds firm and I've never had a problem missing fish using these hooks.