Spring Froggin

[Trawick Ellis]

Hey this is my first forum post but I have a few questions to hopefully start a discussion on spring froggin. Let's hear your opinion on any or all of these questions! What water temp/month do you start to throw a frog in your part of the country? What is your favorite frog? What colors do you like for each type of cover and water clarity? Does wind effect frog fishing? Do sky conditions play a role in froggin? What speed and types of retrieves do you use for spring frogging? What rod, reel, and line, do you use? Are there any specific types of cover that should be targeted during the spring? Does the size of the frog matter? What are your opinions on Buzz Frogs like the Snagproof Bobby's Perfect Buzz, or a Rage Tail type frog? Opinions on popping frogs? Thanks!

 

 

Trawick Ellis

http://goo.gl/gNPXpv

[Preytorien]

• I've thrown frogs pretty much anytime, and had some success, but in my lakes I seem to start having the best luck when I can see the weeds just underneath the surface.
• I don't care for using them in heavy wind, but I'll use them when it's breezy or light wind.
• Since fishing is typically more tricky when it's bright and sunny, I have my best frogging days when it's overcast, at dawn or dusk, or at night.
• I use mainly a 6.4:1 ratio reel with a heavy action rod since I'm usually throwing it into heavy, sometimes very heavy cover. But cover is pretty much cover, they'll hang around it whether it's a laydown, weeds, reeds, or something man-made, there's usually fish there, and a frog will do the trick.
• I like Spro Bronzeye Shad, Bronzeye Poppers, Booyah Pad Crashers, Snagproof frogs, pretty much any one will do.
• The question of a frog color, or any bait color/pattern will cause something of a small civil war on these forums, especially with many of our members still being cooped up indoors, so read the discussions about it and form your own opinions, I typically throw natural colors, it gives me confidence, and confidence is invaluable.
• I use the RageTail Toad a lot when I'm pulling it through reeds or timber, I would venture to say it's a similar attracting bait as a buzzbait. I've never tried the other two you mentioned.
• As far as popping frogs, they're AWESOME. I use them almost exclusively unless I'm frogging on mats (it's hard to pop it on top of moss). Since they pop they can be used in open water, as well as in cover. I've had days where throwing the frog parallel to the bank as the sun is setting will absolutely light it up. 

 

Welcome to the forums, these guys here are the real pros of the field when it comes to expert advice. Be sure to introduce yourself to us in the Introductions forum. Great to have you on board! 

[lecisnith]

On my go-to lake, there is a small river delta, essentially, that is only 2-3 feet deep, max. When it's not iced over it gets to 10-15 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake by midday. Great, great spot for spring frogging. That's where I figured out the drawbacks to using light braid for frog fishing.

[matuka]

Out in my part, those who are good froggers may start when water temps are in the mid to high fifties. Which one? Way too much debate! Everyone uses straight braid at least fiftylb, bigger is better, for rods, there are a lot out there. Common thread is LOTS of butt with a nice workable tip action for accurate pitching under things. I'm no expert but I seem to favor the old Bobby's perfect frog just for hookup ratio issues. I'm not in faver of the new ones with enclosed cavities but that seems to be all that's out there now. Many guys out here throw them all day almost regardless of the conditions.

[Master Bait'r]

I don't really bother throwing a frog until the lily pads break the surface of the water.  As soon as they do though, it's ON.    

[Angry John]

I love frog fishing and I would do it before anything eles. I just moved from ct to was so I am still getting dialed in here but my spro frog has worked from coast to coast. I picked up the smaller wa frog from river2sea. I use a 7'3" 5 power lami excel right now with 65lb sonic braid. My current reel is a daiwa advantage 153htsl. This setup is not sexy but does grate. I have about 200 dollars in the combo with line.

[Fuese54]

a lot of people think you can only throw frogs in the summer, I've thrown them early spring and caught some nice bass. around spawn is when you can start effectively using them. I like the booyah pad crashers and spro bronzeye frogs in just normal green frog colors. caught my personal best bass on one! (6.5 pounds)

[roadwarrior]

I have had great luck with the Rage Tail Toad.

 

New to me for this year is the BizzBait Pad Daddy: http://www.bizzbaits.com/product/pad-daddy/

[primetime]

I don't throw frogs as much as my buddies do, but I find having some with the legs inward like the rage and zoom horny toads, sizmic toads are important since they give off a much more passive action than a buzz frog like a ribbit or Humpin toad...I like toads the best, I rarely use the hollow bellies and if I do I cut one leg since it does help cheaper frogs walk easier for me at least, but I find most frogs do not walk well in heavy cover,  so I would also favor the popping frogs from Spro, booyah, and black is a great color to have since night casting is hazardous and they get crushed while sitting with long legs...

 

You can find good frogs for a few bucks, I find some expensive frogs are great, some are not so good, some cheaper affordable frogs like booyah work fine for me....If you end up liking frogs they are addicting as I see that new colors are always coming out...For bottom color think forage in lake or ponds, many times fish have no idea they are hitting a frog, so if you have panfish, chart and orange is good, shiners some gold, and white is always good to have...

 

I hear the diving frogs are decent but never used them, look cool but I have no time to learn new stuff.

[Frogfather]

I agree with the replies listed here.

 

The major point that I will add is: HAVE A FOLLOW UP BAIT! There are a lot of times when I will use a frog as a search bait. Once they strike/swat at it, I will either give it one more cast or go to my follow up bait. My preferred follow up is a GYCB 5" Senko Green Pumpkin with Black or Gold flake. I will drop it where the strike occurred. One of the two will get the fish to the boat. Here are other things to consider: 

• Growth of vegetation (weeds and lily pads).
• Water temps around 50 or above.
• I mostly use booyah, spro, and livetarget. I have around 10-20 of each. I have a bunch other frogs but these three brands are my go to frogs.
• I have some of Bobby's 'stuff' but not too crazy about it. If I want to throw a buzzbait thats what I will do. 
• Color: I've been a traditional natural color with white/cream/light yellow underbelly person. Last summer fish were smoking white and the natural colors were struggling to catch quality. First time I have ever seen this. Moral of the story is to adjust with what the fish want. I have a wide assortment of colors greens/natural, blacks, and whites. 
• 7+ gear ratio reel. Take up slack line quickly.
• Summer months I will throw frogs in all water and weather conditions except heavy wind. 
• I'm not much of a popper. I have them. Poppers are backups for me if other frogs are not working. 

[gulfcaptain]

When the water hits the high 50's and see the fish cruising the shallows.  Caught fish all times of the day, spring I would say afternoons are going to be better due to sun warming the water IMO.  

 

Throw 3 frogs, Spro Brozeye Shad, and then both Ish's Phatt and Poppin frog.  Colors, well the bronzeye more baitfish colors, and the others black, clear, Platnuim, and a white bellied frog.  Also have a couple of the LT Field Mouse hollow bodied frogs that work well at certain times.  I fish a little lighter braid then most and fish 30 and 40lb braid.  Haven't had any issues loosing fish and prefer a MH-H action fast to xfast action rod in the 7'3" to 7'6" range and a reel with a IPT in the range of 30" or better.

[Frogfather]

When the water hits the high 50's and see the fish cruising the shallows.  Caught fish all times of the day, spring I would say afternoons are going to be better due to sun warming the water IMO.  

 

Throw 3 frogs, Spro Brozeye Shad, and then both Ish's Phatt and Poppin frog.  Colors, well the bronzeye more baitfish colors, and the others black, clear, Platnuim, and a white bellied frog.  Also have a couple of the LT Field Mouse hollow bodied frogs that work well at certain times.  I fish a little lighter braid then most and fish 30 and 40lb braid.  Haven't had any issues loosing fish and prefer a MH-H action fast to xfast action rod in the 7'3" to 7'6" range and a reel with a IPT in the range of 30" or better.

How do you like throwing the Field Mouse? Conditions you throw it? I've close to buying several times but bought more frogs instead. 

[gulfcaptain]

How do you like throwing the Field Mouse? Conditions you throw it? I've close to buying several times but bought more frogs instead. 

I didn't throw it much last year as I didn't find the conditions I wanted.  But when I do, it gets bit really well.  They sit a little lower in the water then most hollow frogs so sinking can be an issue. And I only use the smallest one they have.  Good weed matts that aren't too thick, high pressured areas or spooky fish, and when they refuse to hit bigger baits is when the small field mouse works great.  I look at it as a finesse frog.  Lily pads it tends to role, but weedbeds that are just emerging and that aren't too dense I have had my best success.

[BassObsessed]

Great info and advice posted above but man I'm ITCHING to have our ponds thaw out and warm up so I can throw some frogs.

[Frogfather]

Yesterday was the first day above freezing in over a month. I'm a long way away from throwing a frog unless I'm skipping it on ice!

[Master Bait'r]

How do you like throwing the Field Mouse? Conditions you throw it? I've close to buying several times but bought more frogs instead.

The field mouse is IMO the best cheaper hollow frog type bait. Their longer, more slender body and center tail give it a really nice whippy walk and the hookup ratio is fantastic.

Their frogs are good, but those field mice are awesome. Brown and white seems to get bit the most for me.

I throw frogs and things like that when I have pads to throw then at- I like to land it on pads if I can because it makes a pop noise instead of a big splash and it sounds more like bluegills feeding than anything else. It's like ringing the dinner bell.

Before the pads break the surface, I'll usually throw a jitterbug/grand siglett surface bait and draw them up and out though.

[Frogfather]

The field mouse is IMO the best cheaper hollow frog type bait. Their longer, more slender body and center tail give it a really nice whippy walk and the hookup ratio is fantastic.

Their frogs are good, but those field mice are awesome. Brown and white seems to get bit the most for me.

I throw frogs and things like that when I have pads to throw then at- I like to land it on pads if I can because it makes a pop noise instead of a big splash and it sounds more like bluegills feeding than anything else. It's like ringing the dinner bell.

Before the pads break the surface, I'll usually throw a jitterbug/grand siglett surface bait and draw them up and out though.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to look into getting some.

[Trawick Ellis]

Thank you for sharing your opinions! I love frogging, and this has been very helpful to me and hopefully its helpful to others too. I like to hear other peoples opinions on their techniques.

The water temp here in Alabama is warming, so I think once the temp hits a solid 55 degrees all around I'm going to get out my frogs. I like all of Snagproof's frogs but Ish's Phat Frog is probably my favorite, Bobby's perfect buzz has pretty much replaced my buzzbaits, I stick with black and white on thick grass mats and natural colors around scattered grass and open water. My favorite follow-up bait is a Gambler Ace and Fat Ace sometimes at Guntersville I will pull out the O-Beast. I feel like almost any natural color would work for a follow-up bait. If i'm fishing scattered water willows or similar grass I will put a trailer hook on my Bobby's Buzz and bend the hooks on my frogs out some, to give me a better hook up ratio but since I am throwing in light vegetation I don't hang up much. I have never really thrown a soft plastic frog unless I am pond fishing, I think I am going to try Gambler's cane toad to see how I like it.  If I can get the fish to bit topwater that's what I am going to throw it is some of the most fun and productive fishing techniques I have. (other than an A-rig) Again thanks for all the input! I am glad to be here!

 

Trawick Ellis

 

Snagproof--- http://goo.gl/gNPXpv