Missing Bass On Topwater

[TyTheAngler]

Without a doubt, the topwater frog is my favorite lure to throw. as we all know, frogs are known for missing fish and i have come to just deal with it. i make as many modifications as possible to enable better hook-ups and i have come to realize the biggest factor in snagging bass on the frog. a high speed reel. i have been using a 6:2:1 gear ratio and it was very slow at picking up the slack line and it makes it very hard to get a good hook set in the fish. I like a 6:6:1 or 7:1 the best for my topwater reel. Also, on a general note, patience is very important. I was out earlier today throwing the frog and missed a bass three times in a row and finally on the fourth cast i kept it buttoned. patience and persistence is key when going after bass with a frog. if they make it clear that they are in that area, keep casting there. eventually they will get fed up and swallow it.

[MIbassin]

Nice video. Over the years I have become more patient with frogs and my hookup ratio now a days is d**n close to 90-95 percent

[A-Jay]

 Nice Bass ~ 

 

And if you're not doing it already, put some Megastrike on that frog - fish seem to hold on to it a little longer.

 

A-Jay

[Mr_Frodo]

Having a high-speed reel shouldn't really make a difference you need to wait a second before setting the hook anyway . Setting the hook too quickly may be why you're missing fish in the first place . I think that the top reasons why people miss a frog strike is either setting the hook to quickly or the fish just flat out missing the frog. The other thing to look at are the hooks on the frog itself bending them up slightly should help the hook up ratio . The other thing to look at is the body of the frog itself you really want a soft body so it collapses easily the two brands that i like the best or the booyah Pad crasher and the river to sea spittin wah both are excellent frogs I highly recommend them.

[eyedabassman]

I agree with Frodo. The fish that you missed it looked like you set too early. Wait for the rod to load up or your line goes tight. the fish you hooked you layed back a bit and let the line load up. Get that slack line up too.

[J Francho]

You set a frog hook with rod, not the reel. So long as the reel has a solid drag, and strong frame, it will be fine. A faster reel isn't going to help you, you gotta be patient and set the hook when the fish takes the bait.

[Mike L]

Want frog story?

At a tournament yesterday on the Big O, we got a late start being boat #111 in the 5th flight out of 168. My boater asked if I had a particular place I wanted to start because I told him earlier I ALWAYS start with a frog regardless of the water boaters want to start at.

I suggested a place I knew well, and knew the top water bite always seemed to be on a little later than others.

I threw my favorite little frog in the middle of some Kissimmee grass and started walking it in place. After about 4 complete turns I stopped it, a fish boils behind it. I wait a few seconds and hit it again, it makes a half turn and that fish hits it so hard it pushed that frog 2ft in the air!

My boater yells "throw something else in there real quick" I said no just wait. I moved it to the side once more and he took it down, the rod loaded up, drag went out and I set...2 1/2 lb.

Later when it came time cull it I felt bad letting her go. I really did!

We played a game that we both didn't know how it was gonna turn out that I just happened to win that time.

Moral of the story...Sometimes you win the game, when maybe you shouldn't have.

At least that's how I look at it.

Mike