Frogs Frogs Frogs

[Cory Tucker]

To start, my name is Cory, first time poster here. I've been a top water junkie since I started fishing, using poppers, buzz bait, or anything that floats and fulfill my out-of-water bass strikes that I've fallen in love with. My problem is with frogs. Unlike anything with a treble hook that catches anything that looks at the lure, the frog has been giving me some grief. Since most bodies of water I fish have heavy vegetation I've been using frogs. Just switched to a lunker frog with the life-like legs and the fish really love it! Just not enough to let me bring them home, they'll strike it, take it down, and spit it out. There are plenty of times where they just play with it and hit-n-go, but I'm talking about taking striking, taking under water, and spitting out. Out of the dozen hits I got on the baitcaster night, I was only able to land one, and that one spit the frog out, hit the ground just long enough for me to get a hand on it, and back to the water it went. This happens in thick veg and open water. What am I doing wrong

[Ozark_Basser]

Sounds like they just didn't really want the frog that day. Happens to me sometimes. I'll switch colors, then if that doesn't work, I'll try something else.

[the reel ess]

Use heavy braid and a stiff BC combo with the drag tightened down, wait 2 full seconds after the bite (LunkerLure says count to 4), cross the fish's eyes. Make sure your hooks are sharp. Watch some YouTube videos about increasing your hookups. Talk to others who use frogs with success. Look on the mfg's site for tips. Interestingly, Dean Rojas says to set the hook when you see the bite. No one else I know of says this.

 

And you'll still miss some. It just happens with frogs. Good thing is you'll get a lot of bites when they're on it. They seem to me to hold the bait better when it's overcast. Try several to see what's the easiest to use. Let me know which you like best so I can try it.

[frogflogger]

I agree with Rojas - but - it took a while to get it right - keep throwing with braid and you'll figure it out - when the bite is on they choke it down immediately - I think it is more of knowing what kind of strike you're getting - a heavy power rod with moderate action was the secret for me and my clients - a fast rod will take the frog away - keep on chucking

[the reel ess]

I agree with Rojas - but - it took a while to get it right - keep throwing with braid and you'll figure it out - when the bite is on they choke it down immediately - I think it is more of knowing what kind of strike you're getting - a heavy power rod with moderate action was the secret for me and my clients - a fast rod will take the frog away - keep on chucking

Interesting. A lot of people use their flippin stick for these. I don't have a BC setup for frogging right now. So last time I used a MH spinning combo that has 17# braid. I missed about half. But the fish that wanted it got it. It was a tiny body of water and I caught decent size fish.

[BassinLou]

Hi Cory, Welcome to BR. What is your current b/c setup? What line are you using? With the amount of activity you are experiencing, I would expect your hook up ratio to be a little better than 1 bass. Like some have mentioned already. A MH, XF, 7ft rod with at least 40lb braid will suit you. If you were fishing in denser cover I would recommend a H rod. Assuming you have the ideal set up. Identifying the strike will help you determine if you set the hook or not. If they are just slapping at it, its just that. Slaps that are no where close to the hook. However you said they were striking and bringing down the frog. The bass may have been small, or maybe they weren't bass at all. When a bass takes a frog, there is no question or doubt. Your frog is there one second and vanished the next. Feel/ watch for the weight of the fish, set the hook strong. Keep at it, best of luck. 

[the reel ess]

I have noticed fish slapping a frog when it's sunny but getting it as soon as a cloud passes over. Last time I used one, I only got bites while it was cloudy, Toss a Senko to that spot when they miss it. As you reel the frog in fast, keep an eye on the frog, they'll attack it!

[BassinLou]

I have noticed fish slapping a frog when it's sunny but getting it as soon as a cloud passes over. Last time I used one, I only got bites while it was cloudy, Toss a Senko to that spot when they miss it. As you reel the frog in fast, keep an eye on the frog, they'll attack it!

If the bass are consistently hitting a retrieved frog, that would tell me to switch frogs and use a Horny Toad or a Rage Toad. 

[the reel ess]

If the bass are consistently hitting a retrieved frog, that would tell me to switch frogs and use a Horny Toad or a Rage Toad. 

Well, I just mean every now and then this will happen. But you're right.

[BassinLou]

Well, I just mean every now and then this will happen. But you're right.

You are absolutely right. My suggestion was that if the pattern remained consistent and the frog was getting hit on the retrieve, switching over to a buzzing frog would help. 

[papajoe222]

My guess is your hook-set, or your equipment.  The minimum I use for frogs in heavy cover is a M/H rod and 30lb. braid and that's only if I don't have my frog rod on board. It's a 7'6" Heavy action and my baitcaster is spooled with 60lb. braid.  I work my frogs with the rod tip down. When a bass takes the frog, as soon as I can feel it, that rod tip comes up with a snap. If she still has it when I do that, my rod never gets past the 10:00 position.  Do I still miss fish? Yep, but there are times when I get my frog back and the hooks are imbeded in the body and other times the fish has a mouthful of junk along with the frog.  Missed fish are a part of frog fishing, but one for twelve means something is wrong. A decent average would be 6 or 7 out of 10 in heavy cover.

[kcdinkerz]

I don't have hook up issues. My only problem is that I actually catch frogs with my frogs instead of bass lol