Bass just slapping frog?

[IowaBass15]

Today was one of those days the bass wouldn't eat the frog just blow up and slap it. I probably had about 12 blows up on the frog today in about two hour window and only 3 of those actually ate it. Why do they just smack it without really sucking it up? I went from a spro bronze eye to a spro popping frog to a spro gliding frog and switching colors and have fast I popped or walked the frog and couldn't get them to inhale it to save my life. I had an absolute donkey blow up on it too about 4 times haha.

[papajoe222]

Right now, the bass in your area are in late pre-spawn/early spawn and many are just protecting the nest. They'll slap at topwaters in an effort to get the threat away from the bed.  They aren't interested in eating, just keeping the area clear. Most are males waiting for the females to move up, but occasionally an overzealous buck or female that has yet to lay her eggs will make a lot of commotion in an effort to do so.  With hard body topwaters those fish, if hooked, tend to be hooked outside their mouth. 

Don't get discouraged, just turn around, or cast deeper from shore and target those girls that haven't moved up yet.

[BassThumb]

They'll do that. I've had territorial spawning smallies knock Spooks a foot into the air, without any intention of biting. Switching to finesse plastics like Flukes helped catch some of those fish. 

[the reel ess]

When a bass blows up at any topwater and either misses or just slaps it, reel it in fast and toss a worm over to the spot. Often times, they'll take that offering just because it's below the surface.

[RichF]

Are there pike or pickerel present?  I'm convinced that if a fish just slaps at my frog, 9 times out of 10 it's a toothy critter. 

[IowaBass15]

2 hours ago, RichF said:

Are there pike or pickerel present?  I'm convinced that if a fish just slaps at my frog, 9 times out of 10 it's a toothy critter. 

There is some pike in the lake so that could be the case. 

[BassDude802]

I've had similar happen and I think it is pike / pickerel. Might wait till some heavy pads/ mats form during the post season and bust out the frog in a few weeks.

[Senko lover]

Try a mini frog, or better yet, a fluke. 

[buzzed bait]

you can always downsize the frog too....  if no dice there, i'd be in agreement with papajoe that they're slapping at it as a threat to the intruder.

[IowaBass15]

It wasn't matted grass or weeds it was more a thick moss type of deal. Can't think of what it's exactly called. Looks like swamp. Light green colored circular beads that leave no surface holes just a huge covering of muck. That's why I didn't even pitch a senko or any craw after the smack i would need about a 3/4 tungsten to get through. 

[Eccs]

Fish a texas rigged tube on the surface instead of a hollow body frog. When the fish blows up on it let it flutter down into the water after.