Top Water Frog Question

[AirbusAngler]

So I've never used a top water frog but I do own a live target hollow body frog. I just recently moved to northern CA and at my local (really small lake, call it a pond almost) I noticed some massive frogs. I've never seen these big brown frogs before. The few bass I have caught out of here have all been 4 and 5+ lbs on jigs and jerk baits. So my burning question is,-

Is it wise to use a frog lure when you know there are frogs but the bass do not seem to be jumping?

I rarely see any top water action happening..granted I've only fished this pond for a week now and never at day break or last light. I just have a mentally hard time stringing up a top water bait when I don't see much top water action.

[GeorgiaBassBros]

If there are a lot of frogs in the area, they should be pretty willing to eat something off of the top at any point in the day because its a part of their daily diet. But of course the best times for topwater are dawn and dusk 

[QUIENYO]

Well, I'd say the worst that can happen is you have no luck with the frogs. I've had some great luck with top water frogs in small lakes and ponds.  Neither of the bodies of water had any visible top water feeding at the time.  I've always gone off of the assumption that if there are bass in the water and you hear or see frogs, then the bass will hit frog baits.  I'd say tie one on and get after it. Good luck.

[hmongkidBee]

I'd actually would highly recommend that you throw a "RAT" topwater bait instead of the frog. If the frogs in your area are brown then go with a brown colored rat topwater like the koppers live target rats. It's just something different that the bass might not be accustomed to. Usually when they're not accustomed to something, you can probably catch the biggest fish in that pond. You never know until you try. Good luck with your decision.

[AirbusAngler]

Interesting, ill try both! Great thanks for the tips guys! I think the number of bass I've caught top water I could probably count with 1 hand, just never was a top water guy. But I'm excited to try something new again.

[tbone1993]

So I've never used a top water frog but I do own a live target hollow body frog. I just recently moved to northern CA and at my local (really small lake, call it a pond almost) I noticed some massive frogs. I've never seen these big brown frogs before. The few bass I have caught out of here have all been 4 and 5+ lbs on jigs and jerk baits. So my burning question is,-

Is it wise to use a frog lure when you know there are frogs but the bass do not seem to be jumping?

I rarely see any top water action happening..granted I've only fished this pond for a week now and never at day break or last light. I just have a mentally hard time stringing up a top water bait when I don't see much top water action.

Consider this, you see blue gill in lakes but do you see the bass eating them all the time? No, the reason is because the bluegill stay away from the bass just like you would a sketchy person in a bad neighborhood.  Put a frog above a bass and he might take it. 

[aavery2]

I had a chance to speak with Dean Rojas once, often considered the top frog fisherman.  He told me that a topwater frog more closely imitates the action of a sick or dieing baitfish.  With that said, if there are frogs in the pond, then the bass are use to feeding on topwater.   I would sure give it a try, could quickly become an exciting morning.

[hooah212002]

Don't forget the Rage Toad (or similar bait). Just burn it along the top like a buzzbait.

[tatertester]

The most commotion you can make and still keep the frog from moving ahead too much , the better your chances of a hit.....Then let the frog sit still for awhile and hold on....I pick the heaviest lily pads I can find or reeds....Don't set the hook til you feel the fish.

[Bluebasser86]

Bass probably aren't even eating the big frogs you're seeing (bullfrogs I'm assuming). I'm sure bass will eat bullfrogs but I've never seen one do it, and some of the ponds I fish are loaded with bullfrogs. Bass eat lots of things that may be on or near the surface of the water so you don't have to imitate a frog just because it's a frog bait. My favorite frog color is black, I've never personally seen a black frog but the bass love it.