Hollow Belly Frog Help.....

[primetime]

I have not used Hollow Belly Frogs much in the last few years since I used to get annoyed at all the missed strikes and even when I would swing, I would still miss more fish than I liked. I tried bending out hooks, trimming skirts etc.  but I eventually started to go back to other options for fishing over mats and heavy cover. I am letting the rod load and I get most fish hooked well if they commit but I feel that way to many fish are missing it even in open water areas.

 

I am now fishing some backwater lakes and hollow bellies are the best tool for the job with the cover being super heavy, and my wallet does not like paying north of $8 for a frog, but after using a few of the higher end frogs, (the most expensive one happened to be my favorite before I lost it in a tree after about an hour and was on sale for $11.99).  I now see that not all frogs are created equal and some are much better than other's. I really didn't know how much variation there was between brands and models.

 

I have been using the Spro Poppin Frog's in lighter cover and have always liked that frog and the booyah poppin frogs are ok once they heat up a bit.  I need to figure out which walking frogs are best for heavy cover and if I should be adding rattles, heating them etc..I just purchased some Academy frogs to try out and they look promising, and I own mostly Bully Wa's, Strike King and older scum frogs which I like but they are too light and poor quality for the few benefits they offer imo.

 

I need to replenish my box and was wondering what frogs I need to buy, or if I am missing some mods on my current frogs like a trailer hook of some kind. Do you really need a ton of colors, insert rattles etc? I have been told by a few people the Phat Frogs are the best frogs on the market in terms of overall value and versatility? I see they make about 15 models and have no clue what is different between most of them. I am curious to see what most serious frog fisherman like to use? Any suggestions or advice would be helpful. What is the Best Frog when it comes to value and I don't care if a frog tears easy etc. if it catches fish.

 

Thanks.

[h8nbmps]

I use stanley ribbit frogs catch a good amount of fish and not expensive $5.95 for 2 with 1 rigged or $6.95 for 2 hooks and another $6.95 for 3 frogs no hooks

[Smokinal]

I want to try that Pad Daddy by BizBaits

 

http://www.bizzbaits.com/product/pad-daddy/

[Big C]

I like the River2Sea Spittin' Wa in poison (get the bigger size), the Lunk3rhunt Combat Frog in white, Boze Sumo Frog in clear green, and the Picasso Walking Shad in bluegill.  I do think adding rattles makes a huge difference, it mimics the sound of a bluegill popping bugs on the surface and it adds a little more weight.  You have to super glue the nose of the Combat Frog with super glue or it will sink.  When bass are just nipping at them I highly reccomend using the Lake Fork Frog Tail Stinger Hooks, they don't tangle with the legs too bad, and almost never get hung up in the weeds/pads. 

 

Spittin' Wa for lily pads/open water.

Combat Frog/Sumo Frog for slop

Walking Shad when the bluegill bite is on.  This thing is awsome, it walks just like a Spook but completely weedless.

 

If I had to pick just one it would be the Spittin' Wa by far.  I use it 75% of the time.  If you are unsure, just watch the TacticallBassin' video on it. 

[C0lt]

ish monores phat frog by snagproof. 

[Jaderose]

Scumfrog Trophy Series...Natural Black and Green.  I buy 3 of them at the start of of every season and by the end of the years they are worn out.  You're welcome.

[ww2farmer]

99.9% of hollow body frog hook up problems are user error. I do just fine on Booyah's and Strike Kings, with no modifications other than a leg trimming job.

[Ozark_Basser]

The phat frog is easy to walk and doesn't fill up with water, but it is just too cheesy looking lol. I like spros better. I just seem to catch bigger fish on the spro.

[Senko lover]

I want to try that Pad Daddy by BizBaits

 

http://www.bizzbaits.com/product/pad-daddy/

 

Pretty sick bait. I have never had luck on buzzin frogs, but I still chuck that one a lot just for the fun of it. It's an awesome deal. 

[hatrix]

Booyah pad crashers are cheap and work well. They are soft like koppers and half the price. For buzz frogs my favorite are ribbits. Each one lasts for a very long time and they catch tons of fish.

[Ozark_Basser]

Booyah pad crashers are cheap and work well. They are soft like koppers and half the price. For buzz frogs my favorite are ribbits. Each one lasts for a very long time and they catch tons of fish.

What is your favorite way to rig ribbits? Single hook or double? I picked some up at wally world the other day.

[hatrix]

Single hook. The double hooks will catch grass or do for me. I also don't like where they end up on the frog in the legs. I have used a few different sizes and single works great for me. I think I use a 5/0 but am not sure sizes I go by looks. I also hook a little farther then the hook will reach so it makes a little curve to body so it planes better. I only use screwlock hooks on buzzfrogs normal hooks catch stuff on the bend after the eye.

[Master Bait'r]

Aaaaah summer... When the Ned Rig threads blossom into frogs you know the spawn is over

[BassinLou]

Aaaaah summer... When the Ned Rig threads blossom into frogs you know the spawn is over

 

Yep.... June 1st.... just like clock work. 2-3 threads about frogs already..... lol.... 

[the reel ess]

Do you guys alter the frogs with skirt-type legs? I know some people trim them to help the fish get the hooks in its mouth.

[BassinLou]

Do you guys alter the frogs with skirt-type legs? I know some people trim them to help the fish get the hooks in its mouth.

 

The only mod I do on a frog is trim an 1" from both skirts. Give it a slightly smaller profile. Other than that nothing. Don't need to really. Depending on where you fish, some open the hooks a bit. That will be fine in an open water application but a pita if you fish in heavy cover like me. 

[hatrix]

Do you guys alter the frogs with skirt-type legs? I know some people trim them to help the fish get the hooks in its mouth.

 

They are probably not doing it so the hook gets in the mouth better. Most likely it is so it walks better. Although shorter legs don't hurt as quite often they will just grab a leg and pull it under by that and never actually touch any of the body.