Do You Really Need Braid For Frogs?

[Weld's Largemouth]

Hey all,

 

I've always used 20 lb braid and tied direct for all of my lures. Im thinking about switching to 16lb Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon because i feel the braid sometimes deters the bass from biting. The question is, can i still frog fish with this fluorocarbon? I see no reason why I can't....or is it better to stick with the braid?

 

Thanks, Welds

 

note *i am not considering getting a second rod and reel just for frogging

[gulfcaptain]

The short answer to your question of really needing braid to fish frogs.....YES.  FC sinks and the dia you would need to really pull the fish out of the grass on longer casts would probably be unmanageable on most baitcasters.  Could use mono, but then you're back to fishing 25+lb line to be able to pull the fish out of the grass.  If you choose to fish a frog on 10yrd casts then you may get away with either FC or Mono on 20lb.  But much easier to stick with braid where 30lb has the dia of 8lb mono/FC.

[Weld's Largemouth]

The short answer to your question of really needing braid to fish frogs.....YES.  FC sinks and the dia you would need to really pull the fish out of the grass on longer casts would probably be unmanageable on most baitcasters.  Could use mono, but then you're back to fishing 25+lb line to be able to pull the fish out of the grass.  If you choose to fish a frog on 10yrd casts then you may get away with either FC or Mono on 20lb.  But much easier to stick with braid where 30lb has the dia of 8lb mono/FC.

Ok, the only allure for me to fluorocarbon is how it is clear... I hate how my braid is visible to the fish, i feel like it can in some cases prevent a bite..

 

also, i use spinning gear so i can go low on # test

[gulfcaptain]

When the fish are on the frog bite, they are commited to destroying the bait.  Have caught 4 up to 5 1/2lbs in the last couple days fishing the frog, and everyone has had the frog down their throat and inhaled the bait.  I don't think they were worried about the 30lb braid it was attached to when they come up through the scattered grass to hit it.  And I have had some that have hit the bait the minute it hit the water like they were watching it fly through the air and waiting....or I hit them on the head.  Heavy line would make it tough to get them to walk as well I believe where braid has such low memory and limpness it lends itself to walking these baits nicely.

[Weld's Largemouth]

When the fish are on the frog bite, they are commited to destroying the bait.  Have caught 4 up to 5 1/2lbs in the last couple days fishing the frog, and everyone has had the frog down their throat and inhaled the bait.  I don't think they were worried about the 30lb braid it was attached to when they come up through the scattered grass to hit it.  And I have had some that have hit the bait the minute it hit the water like they were watching it fly through the air and waiting....or I hit them on the head.  Heavy line would make it tough to get them to walk as well I believe where braid has such low memory and limpness it lends itself to walking these baits nicely.

When talking about how braids visibility affects the bite, i am refering to baits other than frogs, i.e. t rigs, swimbaits, cranks, etc.

[ColdSVT]

No you dont...i did it with 20lb flouro and 20lb braid for years. Then i started using braid. My hook ups are now more consitant and it is 10 fold easier rippin those fish out the pads and weeds.

So yeah it can be done without braid but man it is way easier and less problematic with braid

Make the switch and dont look back

If this is a multi purpose rod then tie on a FC leader when you arent froggin

[gulfcaptain]

I have braid on all my rods, if needed, I'll put a 3-6ft topshot of fc or mono depending on what I'm fishing. Use 10lb pp to fish trout on UL tackle with 3lb fc leader....why....because it's easier to keep that 2-3ft leader in good shape and nick free instead of worrying about 30yrs of 3lb mono.  Fished a dropshot for years with a fc leader tied to a swivel attached to braid.  Thinking of actually trying the Hi Vis yellow next year for my flipping/punching needs as so it's easier to watch the line then moss green.

[BassinLou]

Hey all,

 

I've always used 20 lb braid and tied direct for all of my lures. Im thinking about switching to 16lb Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon because i feel the braid sometimes deters the bass from biting. The question is, can i still frog fish with this fluorocarbon? I see no reason why I can't....or is it better to stick with the braid?

 

Thanks, Welds

 

note *i am not considering getting a second rod and reel just for frogging

 

Weld's you stay down here in FL a few weeks out of the year don't you? I have seen the pics from where you have landed some of those nice bigger bass. Would you be 100% comfortable frog fishing in some of that nasty stuff that bass love to call home without braid? If your answer is yes, then by all means use the heavier FC, but if your answer is no. Then throw at least 40-50lb braid and you don't run the risk of having your heart broken when frog fishing. Just saying.

[ABW]

I don't think the fish really care about the line... they are focused on the frog.

[Weld's Largemouth]

Weld's you stay down here in FL a few weeks out of the year don't you? I have seen the pics from where you have landed some of those nice bigger bass. Would you be 100% comfortable frog fishing in some of that nasty stuff that bass love to call home without braid? If your answer is yes, then by all means use the heavier FC, but if your answer is no. Then throw at least 40-50lb braid and you don't run the risk of having your heart broken when frog fishing. Just saying.

Lol yea i do. Ive gotten some 5lbers out of terrible muck, 20 lb braid is enough though, 40-50 is overkill

[Weld's Largemouth]

I don't think the fish really care about the line... they are focused on the frog.

The line they may care about if its a t rig, crankbait, or swimbait etc.

[gulfcaptain]

I fish straight 30lb when I'm pitching or punching grass....no issues, biffle head dragged across the bottom....no issues, fished cranks....issues only with pulling the hook because I was new to fishing braid....learned to back the drag off. YOU have to have confidence in your presentation, otherwise you have taken yourself out of the game doubting your presentation and causing you to loose focus and end up frustrated.  20lb braid is = to 6lb.  If you're worried about them seeing it....color 12 inch sections black  with 12 inches inbetween.  Now you have broken up outline of the braid.

[BassinLou]

Lol yea i do. Ive gotten some 5lbers out of terrible muck, 20 lb braid is enough though, 40-50 is overkill

 

That may be so, next time you come down to FL see if you can take trip down to fish the glades, you will look at your 20lb braid and remember this conversation. 

[Weld's Largemouth]

I fish straight 30lb when I'm pitching or punching grass....no issues, biffle head dragged across the bottom....no issues, fished cranks....issues only with pulling the hook because I was new to fishing braid....learned to back the drag off. YOU have to have confidence in your presentation, otherwise you have taken yourself out of the game doubting your presentation and causing you to loose focus and end up frustrated.  20lb braid is = to 6lb.  If you're worried about them seeing it....color 12 inch sections black  with 12 inches inbetween.  Now you have broken up outline of the braid.

great idea!!

[MarkH024]

Let em learn Lou. Once the $10 frogs start disappearing it'll be a different story. We will keep using overkill and yanking in swamp donkeys.

[Weld's Largemouth]

That may be so, next time you come down to FL see if you can take trip down to fish the glades, you will look at your 20lb braid and remember this conversation. 

Thats different haha!!

[Catch and Grease]

The line they may care about if its a t rig, crankbait, or swimbait etc.

Learn to tie a leader when needed/wanted

[BassinLou]

Thats different haha!!

 

[ABW]

The line they may care about if its a t rig, crankbait, or swimbait etc.

 

For crankbaits I wouldn't use braid. But for the others you can tie a leader.

[BasshunterJGH]

I've used 16 lb mono before with toads and lighter frogs. Didn't experience any break-offs fishing in fairly heavy cover. Then again, the biggest fish I caught that day was only 3 lbs... I wouldn't recommend fluoro because it sinks, but u could definitely get away with 20+ lb mono IMO. Just use a stout rod because of the stretch. I used a 6 ft 6 in extra hvy rated 3/8-2 oz lures. 

[BasshunterJGH]

For crankbaits I wouldn't use braid. But for the others you can tie a leader.

You guys should check out Matt Allen's video on braid, he uses it for everything, including cranks. Just adds a leader as needed for jigs, worms etc. I 'm thinking about switching to that system myself, it would be nice to only have to switch your line out once or twice a year!

[Catch and Grease]

Off topic, but I use braid for crankbaits without a leader.

[BasshunterJGH]

Off topic, but I use braid for crankbaits without a leader.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, especially with reaction baits like cranks. Just remember to use a softer rod and beefier hooks! I might try 50 lb braid for my squarebill/topwater combo...

[ABW]

I don't see why it wouldn't work, especially with reaction baits like cranks. Just remember to use a softer rod and beefier hooks! I might try 50 lb braid for my squarebill/topwater combo...

I've tried braid with crankbaits before... but made the transition unsucessfully. I always want to horse the fish straight in, which usually ends up with the bass shaking the trebles out of its mouth. I don't like playing with fish lol.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

On a side note, 16 lb fluorocarbon would not handle well on a spinning reel. Tie a leader when needed, and you will cover pretty much all the bases. I use cranks on braid with a leader, and don't have any issues.