Frog Imitations Questions

[Robertqq]

Hello,

 

Usually fish a small pond with lots of Largemouths and Smallmouths.

 

A fair amount of weeds and "cover".

 

Thought this season I might try those small Frog imitations for the firt time and cast (Spinning outfit) right in the

middle of the weeds.

 

a. Which brands or styles for the frog imitations are considered the most weedless, or all pretty much the same ?

 

b. Do you folks like a Frog that floats, or one that does not ?  Why ?

 

In the BP catalog, they seem to offer many, but are not very clear which float, and which do not.

Suggestions ?

 

Thaks,

Bob

[Ozark_Basser]

I like the hollow body frogs. They float and you can walk them. The ones that float can be kept in the strike zone longer.

[ABW]

They're all pretty weedless.

 

Since you're throwing them on spinning gear I'd recommend the smaller 1/4 oz Booyah Pad Crasher or the smallest Livetarget frog.

[tatertester]

Sometimes it can be an adventure to fish with lures that are not really weedless, but, can be slowly and carefully walked , wiggled , and twitched thru the pads or weedbeds . You will get snagged some , but have a good chance getting strikes and hookups too....Matts and the like, of course , wont work this way , yet about anything else is worth a shot......I often will use a floating crankbait  and cut off the lead spur off the belly treble or remove it entirely....Then just cast into the jungle and proceed with caution. Let the lure settle in any opening in the weeds and twitch it .....The steady pulls, twitches and irregular movement of the lure will cause some smashing strikes as the lure is milked thru the vegetation .......Not as weedless as a floating frog, but fun to fish nonetheless.   

[BassinLou]

Live target has a 1/4 oz hollow body frog that will serve you well in the situation you are describing. I will personally throw the 5/8 oz. 

[Robertqq]

Hi,

 

Just a quick thanks for all the suggestions and replies.

Really appreciate it.

 

Great Forum.

 

Regards,

Bob

[roadwarrior]

The Rage Tail Toad is VERY effective and can be rigged completely weedless.

 

Rage Toad

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.

 

 

 

 

[smalljaw67]

Hello,

 

Usually fish a small pond with lots of Largemouths and Smallmouths.

 

A fair amount of weeds and "cover".

 

Thought this season I might try those small Frog imitations for the firt time and cast (Spinning outfit) right in the

middle of the weeds.

 

a. Which brands or styles for the frog imitations are considered the most weedless, or all pretty much the same ?

 

b. Do you folks like a Frog that floats, or one that does not ?  Why ?

 

In the BP catalog, they seem to offer many, but are not very clear which float, and which do not.

Suggestions ?

 

Thaks,

Bob

 

I think maybe you should look at small topwater frogs made for open water. The reason I say this is based on some of your other posts, it would appear that you don't have a rod that is capable of driving a large hook through a thick piece of plastic let alone the mouth of the fish. The frogs that sink are also called "toads", and even with the proper rods reel and line, anglers still miss and loose fish, hollow frogs that float are going to present the same problem as you typically hook a fish in the roof of the mouth and I don't believe you have the right gear for it. A Rebel Frog R or Poppin' Frog would work much better but you wouldn't be able to throw it in the weeds. I'm just trying to help you out here and keep you from wasting money on a lure you won't be able to use.

[Robertqq]

Hi,

 

Good advice.

 

Will take your suggestions, as they are well thought out, and undoubtedly correct.

 

Really appreciate your, and the other folks, help.

 

Will be getting a somewhat (slightly) heavier rod for this season compared to what I have been using; a Daiwa Spinmatic UL. Will be an 8 footer again.

At my age now, pushing 80, the 8 footer sure does help me in casting a good distance.  But like I've mentioned, this Daiwa UL has a way too soft tip.

Trying to decide on the Gander Mountain guide series classic crappie one, or one of the crappie maxx ones from BP.

 

Thanks again; nice of you all to take the time in guiding and helping me out,

Bob