How To Hook A Bass On A Frog Lure

[smr_hga]

Ok so recently i've been trying out my first ever frog lure and i can't seem to land any fish with it. I've had 8 bites so far and landed none. This is really frusturating because i've had some pretty big bass on but the lure just slips out. The hooks are sharp as can be but i can't seem to land any of the bass! Please help!

[fishballer06]

It's hard, but you have to wait a second or two until you set the hook. Give the fish time to get down and get the lure fully in their mouth. Once you hook one, you'll see how good they get hooked. 

[Senko lover]

It's hard, but you have to wait a second or two until you set the hook. Give the fish time to get down and get the lure fully in their mouth. Once you hook one, you'll see how good they get hooked. 

 

Textbook advice, can't get it any clearer than that.

[BassinLou]

Frog fishing and be exhilarating and heartbreaking all at the same time. 

 

To the OP, first you have to confirm the bass has indeed taken the frog. Is this a hollow body frog, or soft plastic frog? If its a HB frog, confirmation of a bass taking your frog after a miss is when you squeeze the frog. Does it pee water? If it does, then the bass are taking your frog. A couple of things quickly come to mind. Are your hooksets solid? You have to set the hook pretty hard when you use a frog. Are your hooksets vertical? Hook setting to the side can result in more misses. Lastly, after the initial hit, confirm your frog is gone before you set the hook. Many times you see a huge explosion but the bass for whatever reason missed the frog. Make sure the frog has disappeared before you swing for the fences. Trust me when the hookset is solid you will feel the difference. You will feel the whole weight of the fish when you drive the hooks home. Keep at it, and good luck. 

[MarkH024]

What is your rod rating? What is the line type and size you're using?

[einscodek]

1) you need a rod with decent backbone to set that hook otherwise it'll slip out as you say

2) braid is preferred for the same reason

3) if that frog is sucked under water, I'm setting the hook hard & fast right away

 

also comes with the territory as often times bass suck down lots of weeds along with your frog and they interfere at times with hookup

[frogflogger]

Keep at it - you'll find what works for you - there are ideas all over the map about it - if you feel the fish stick him and keep cranking

[smr_hga]

Im using a medium action spinning rod with 15lb monofilament.

[deep]

Im using a medium action spinning rod with 15lb monofilament.

 

That's your problem. At least part of it anyway.

 

How can you even fish 15# mono on a spinning reel?

[MarkH024]

Im using a medium action spinning rod with 15lb monofilament.

That's your main issue. Not enough backbone in most Medium powered rods for frog fishing.

 

1.If replacing the rod is not an option.....spool up with some 20# braid. You will see dramatic changes.

2.If replacing the rod is an option....look into a good MH/F baitcasting rod or if you prefer a spinning same MH/F.  Ditch the mono if you're fishing in any sort of thick weeds.  You're setting yoruself up for a heartbreak if you happen to hook a lunker.

[BassinLou]

Im using a medium action spinning rod with 15lb monofilament.

 

Time to go shopping!! 

 

Look into as a minimum 7 ft MH rod, 40 lb braid minimum, and preferably a 7.1:1 ratio type reel. 

[the reel ess]

I had the same issues when I started froggin'. To some extent, I still do at times.

 

Use heavy braid...20# or more. As previously mentioned use at least a MH/fast rod. Tighten down the drag. Those are some thick hooks. With mono, you can stretch several feet if you have too much line out. Add to that your medium rod and you may not take up enough line to sink that hook.

 

Wait two whole seconds before setting the hook-almost no one can make themselves do this. If it's a hollow bodied frog, they'll hold on and close that mouth. While you count 2 Mississippi's, reel down until all the slack is gone. Cross his eyes with the hookset. And you'll still miss some.

 

If you miss and don't yank the frog all the way to the boat, let it rest 5 seconds then start twitching, like it's stunned. Then resume the retrieve.

 

Rig that Medium combo with something like a wacky Senko. If the fish blows up and you can't hook up, lob the Senko back to the spot. They'll bite it about half the time. I'm not even sure that's the same fish or just one competing for food.

[the reel ess]

That's your problem. At least part of it anyway.

 

How can you even fish 15# mono on a spinning reel?

My buddy does it. he doesn't use any other line for bass. 15# Berkley Big Game is all he has. I have it on two BC combos. I have to say he out-fishes me a lot.

[FD.]

If you are going to frog fish in Florida, then this is how you do it.

 

You must have a Baitcaster MH fast at least 7' .  If you can't afford one, I'll send you one.

You must have at least 50 lb braid.

Buzz frog - Superline hook, 3/0 or bigger depending on the frog.

 

 

Fish it with your rod tip up at 11 oclock.

When you see or hear the strike, drop your rod and watch your line.

Wait

Wait

If your line moves, reel in the slack and make a hard hookset strait up.

 

If your line does not move, slowly reel up the slack and twitch the frog.  Many times the larger fish will slap it to stun it and circle back to eat it.

 

Always have a big worm rigged up also.  If they miss, throw the worm back to the same spot.  Rarely will a fish hit topwater again, but they will almost always take the worm.

[WRB]

Frog = hollow body with double heavy hook, ie; frog hook.

Toad = solid body frog shape soft plastic with single heavy wire, light keel weight and/or screw lock off set hook.

Heavy wire hook needs lots of force to set, double hook needs more force, can't do that effectively with a medium or 2 power spinning rod.

The reason you let a bass have a top water lure a little longer time is to allow the bass to turn away from you before hook setting, otherwise the lure can miss connecting with any tissue = missed hook set.

You need tackle suited for the lures you use.

Tom

[deep]

My buddy does it. he doesn't use any other line for bass. 15# Berkley Big Game is all he has. I have it on two BC combos. I have to say he out-fishes me a lot.

 

Well, what size *spinning* reel does he use?

[Jaderose]

It's hard, but you have to wait a second or two until you set the hook. Give the fish time to get down and get the lure fully in their mouth. Once you hook one, you'll see how good they get hooked. 

 

This!  Every year I go through the same learning curve.  We train ourselves to be lighting fast with the hookset and this doesn't work with hollow body frogs.  That 1-2 second pause is crucial and SOOOOOO hard to do.  I also recommend braid and a stiiffer rod.  Once you do bring one in...you'll get it.

[BassinLou]

To train your brain not to set the hook the moment you see the explosion takes a little time. Lol!! Especially when you don't know when its going to happen. Once you dial in the fish during an outing, you will be able to anticipate the strike and setting the hook will be easier. Your hook up % will be better. 

[the reel ess]

Well, what size *spinning* reel does he use?

I'd say 300 size.

[Danturner]

A lot of good advice posted here....train yourself to wait after the hit.

[Shockwave]

That is definitely a hard one to learn and you'll have to relearn it every year (at least I do up here in Wisconsin where we can't frog fish year round).  I just had a learning session last Thursday where I missed two on a bronzeye frog and ended up getting skunked for the day.  I second going with a rod with more backbone. I use a 7'3" Heavy Duckett Ghost with 65# Suffix braid and don't have a problem bringing the meat in with the salad.....AFTER I relearn to wait a second after I see the strike.  

[CDMeyer]

Hold the rod tip down while you fish, wait a second or two when one hits then set the hook by moving the rod tip strait up and keep it there

[CDMeyer]

Hold the rod tip down while you fish, wait a second or two when one hits then set the hook by moving the rod tip strait up and keep it there

[Montanaro]

As other have said, patience is key! Feel the fish before setting hook. They will hold onto it for a while so don't be afraid. This is really important skill to learn for any technique like crankbaits, poppers, even soft plastics. Many people yank the lures out before the fish have them.

Ever watch the pros jig or worm fish? Half the time they tell when they have a bite then they set their feet get a good grip reel in slack then set hook. No rush about it.

But I digress, if you miss one then throw a senko in after it, it's highly effective.

[RB 77]

This is the one technique that I always fish straight braid. One thing I let them do is "load up" before I set the hook. I make sure I feel some weight first, then drop the rod and cross thier eyes.